What better way to find out a baby’s sex than by cutting into a cake? Some parents-to-be are throwing “reveal parties” for just such an occasion, calling on bakeries to supply cakes baked from the appropriate pink or blue batter, and keeping the news from them until the event. Ashley Bakery, Charleston, S.C., has been making reveal cakes for almost 18 months, since the bakery was first approached by an expectant mother with the idea.

“She brought in the ultrasound in a sealed envelope. Neither she nor her husband wanted to find out until they cut the cake at the party,” says Ashley Bakery owner Eileen Ferri. “It’s interesting to find out the sex of the baby before the parents.”

While the bakery has done some creative cakes–most recently a teapot theme–Ferri says the reveal cakes typically are plain 9-in. rounds. “We don’t decorate it where you could even tell from looking at the outside–it is typically an all white cake.”

Ashley Bakery now does four to five reveal cakes per month, strictly through referrals. “Of course if we publicized that we do it, we would get a lot more business,” Ferri adds.

Indeed, the concept of a cake for every occasion isn’t limited to the traditional birthday parties, new babies or retirements. Bakeries are being asked to supply confections for all sorts of unconventional celebrations, from divorce parties to gay pride parades.