What's a party without a cake? It's one of the highlights of most parties, and baby showers are no exception. Along with the gifts and the games, baby shower cakes bring an added dimension of beauty and enjoyment to these gatherings among friends and family to celebrate the coming of a baby. They are not only for the pleasure of the parents-to-be, but also for the guests who have come to share in the expecting couple's good fortune.

One of the great things about baby shower cakes is that the designs and flavors from which to choose are virtually limitless. If you're the party organizer (whether you're the parent or a friend or family member) you are able to customize the looks and taste of these types of party cakes. If you're the type of person who enjoys baking and are able to create attractive and fantastic-tasting cakes, then you might want to bake one and give it to the mother-to-be as a gift. You can design a cake based on what you feel the parents-to-be will appreciate and enjoy, or you can browse the many sites focusing on baby party cakes for inspiration. Just make sure to bake a trial cake or two in advance, especially if it's your first time to make a baby shower cake. You wouldn't want any nasty surprises (like a funny-tasting cake or a lopsided cake) on the special day itself.

But if you plan to order one from bakeries or companies that offer baby shower cakes, prepare for the wide variety of party cakes that these establishments offer. But be sure to place your order well ahead of time, since bakers might not be able to accommodate your request on short notice because of earlier orders they might have already received. If you have a baker from whom you get your baked goods regularly, so much the better. He or she will be happy to accommodate a long-time customer and you two can sit down and discuss how you want the cake to look like. Even better, the baker will be able to suggest the best cake designs and flavors that will fit your budget.

Many bakeries also have web sites from which you can place your order. This is great if local options are not available to you. The kinds of baby party cakes they sell cover a large range of flavors: you can choose from chocolate cake, sponge cake, cheesecake, carrot cake, gingerbread cake, pound cake, and more! Many of them also offer different fillings for a more delicious cake: chocolate, custard, jams, fruits, among others. These cakes can be topped with conventional icing or with fondants. Either way, they can come in practically any shape and size; from popular cartoon characters to angels and fairies to sports paraphernalia. Or if the shower is being held after the baby's arrival, you can even have a picture of the baby as the cake's main design ? sort of an edible portrait.

There is another kind of baby shower cake; one that is not edible, but is nevertheless admired both by the parents-to-be and the guests alike. It's called a diaper cake and is made up of baby supplies arranged in such a way to resemble a multi-tiered cake. Seen from a distance, they can look like real cakes. Some diaper cakes are really made up of diapers that are rolled and folded into tiers and embellished with ribbons to make them look very attractive. But many other diaper cakes have, in addition to diapers, other baby paraphernalia, such as feeding bottles, bibs, towels, plush toys, and bath supplies. Any person can make an attractive diaper cake, but they are available commercially as well. Specialists include Baby Cakes Inc., whose creations have been featured on TV shows like ?Oprah? and the comedy ?Sex and the City.? This company offers a multitude of diaper cake designs and themes, from whimsical and cute motifs for baby girls to sporty looks for baby boys, and many others suitable for either sex.

Baby shower cakes, whether they are the edible or non-edible kind, make for attractive and pleasing centerpieces at baby showers. They are an essential part of these festive gatherings and play an important role in making the event a memorable one for both the expectant parents and their guests.