Viral gender reveal cake gone wrong: bakery accidentally spoils the surprise

In the age of gender reveals, every expectant parent seems to have their own unique plan for the big reveal. From elaborate fireworks displays to low-key cake-cutting surprises, it’s all about creating a meaningful memory.

So, when someone—especially a stranger—accidentally spoils that big moment, it can feel like a true letdown. That’s what happened to mom-to-be Ariel (@morbidmama7), whose viral TikTok video recounts the story of a voicemail from her bakery that revealed the gender of her baby.

The unexpected voicemail that spoiled it all

Ariel’s plan was straightforward: the bakery would use raspberries for a girl and blackberries for a boy, keeping the reveal subtle yet meaningful. However, a voicemail from the bakery changed everything. The decorator, intending only to confirm an order update, accidentally spoiled the surprise with, “Please give me a call regarding your order. You ordered a single lemon with blackberry… And you wanted a gender reveal, so we need to talk about the cake…”

As the voicemail plays in her video, Ariel’s frustration is palpable. She explains how she and her partner were eagerly awaiting this moment, only to have it spoiled unintentionally by the bakery.

@morbidmama7 imagine paying $$, walking into the bakery with a sealed envelope from a doctor, currating a whole special, intimate moment with you & your partner… just to have some random, careless woman ruin it with a single voicemail… thaaaanks… if my eyes are red it's cause I've been crying all morning 🖤🖤 #genderrevealfail #genderreveal #emotions #pregnant #altmom ♬ original sound – ⋇⋆ 𝔐𝔬𝔯𝔟𝔦𝔡 𝔐𝔞𝔪𝔞 ⋆⋇

In a follow-up, Ariel told viewers, “I tried to skip the voicemail, but I couldn’t. It was heartbreaking. My partner and I had planned a cute little moment, and it felt like the bakery didn’t care. We called them immediately and asked for a refund.” The bakery offered a refund and made the cake, but Ariel said, “When my boyfriend went to pick it up, it took them another 15 minutes to find it. It really felt like they just didn’t care.”

A viral response sparks a bigger conversation about gender reveals

Ariel’s TikTok video has since racked up nearly 2 million views, while a repost on Twitter has surpassed 20 million. Her story has set off a heated conversation online, with some viewers expressing empathy for the disappointment while others question the significance of gender reveals. For many parents, moments like these go beyond just a reveal; they’re about creating lasting memories in an exciting family journey.

For couples planning gender reveals, Ariel’s story might be a lighthearted reminder to double-check those little details—or at least to enjoy the story that unfolds, whether the surprise goes perfectly or takes an unexpected turn.

The origin of gender reveal cakes—and regret from the creator

Gender reveal cakes have become a tradition, but few realize they began over a decade ago. Jenna Karvunidis, often credited with starting the trend, originally threw a party in 2008 to celebrate her own pregnancy after several losses, cutting into a pink-frosted cake to reveal she was having a daughter. Karvunidis wrote about the cake on her blog and a parenting forum, and it quickly went viral.

Karvunidis told TODAY that she had “no thoughts in 2008 of the greater implications of gender reveal parties.” But over the years, as gender reveals became elaborate and even potentially dangerous, her view shifted. “Assigning focus on gender at birth leaves out so much of their potential and talents that have nothing to do with what’s between their legs,” she reflected.

Now, she encourages parents to consider alternatives, like “name reveals” or simply celebrating the joy of pregnancy.

Have you ever experienced an unexpected twist with a gender reveal? Share your story with us on social—we’d love to hear about your journey.