This Adorable Rubber Ducky Baby Shower Cake is a moist and delicious chocolate cake with smooth buttercream frosting, decorated to resemble a cute yellow duck floating in a tub of bubbles. It’s a perfect addition to any baby shower theme and is completely gluten-free and dairy-free.

When planning a baby shower for my sister, I wanted to create something as special as the occasion itself. Since I was already making rubber ducky punch, I decided to match it with this fun and charming cake. Using a simple cake mix and easy decorations, this cake came together beautifully and was a hit at the party! If you're looking for baby shower cake ideas, this one is sure to impress your guests and add a creative touch to your baby shower invitations.
I wanted to throw a traditional, Southern baby shower, so I had a little help from my sweet Alabama relatives. Thank you to my aunt Sara for bringing the famous Rolen's Bakery petit fours from Dothan, AL and thank you to my cousin Maggie for loaning me these beautiful silver serving platters. I lined a few of them with white doilies to be extra fancy. I used my grandmother's table cloth. The sentimental blessings shared that day made it one of the best experiences we've had together.
Why I Love This Adorable Rubber Ducky Baby Shower Cake
- Adorable and festive for any baby shower theme
- Easy to make with a cake mix shortcut
- Gluten-free and dairy-free for dietary needs
- Fun to decorate with simple piping techniques
- Pairs perfectly with rubber ducky punch
- A great option for baby shower cake decorations
- Works well for a baby girl or baby boy
- Looks just like a tier baby shower cake with two perfect cake layers
Ingredient Notes
- Cake Mix – A gluten-free chocolate cake mix works great, but you can use any mix you prefer. Try a vanilla sponge mix for a more traditional flavor.
- Oil Substitute – Swap butter with vegetable oil for a dairy-free option.
- Frosting – A simple dairy-free buttercream frosting made with vegetable shortening, powdered sugar, and almond flavoring.
- Food Coloring – Blue food coloring for the ‘water’ and white icing for the ‘bubbles.’
- Baby Shower Cake Toppers – A small, clean rubber duck serves as the perfect cake topper. You can also add baby booties, baby blocks, or even a hand sculpted teddy bear.
How to Make this Adorable Rubber Ducky Baby Shower Cake
- Bake the Cake – Prepare the gluten-free chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions. Divide the batter between two 8-inch round cake pans and bake as directed. Let the cakes cool completely. These two cake layers can resemble a mini tiered baby shower cake.
- Make the Frosting – Whip up a batch of dairy-free buttercream frosting using vegetable shortening, powdered sugar, and almond flavoring.
- Frost the Cake – Reserve 2 cups of frosting and keep it white. Color the remaining frosting blue. Use an offset spatula and a bench scraper to apply an even coat of blue frosting to the cake. The top of the cake will become the perfect space for showcasing your creative cake design.
- Decorate with Bubbles – Divide the reserved white frosting into two piping bags, one with a #4 round pastry tip and another with a #6 round pastry tip. Pipe small, medium, and large bubbles around the cake to enhance the cake design. If you want to elevate your decorations, add sugar flowers or a hot air balloon topper.
- Add the Baby Shower Cake Topper – Place a clean rubber ducky on top of the cake as the final touch. This simple addition makes the cake even more charming and on-theme for a baby shower. It’s the best part of pulling this little cake together!
Quick Tips
- Use a store-bought cake mix for convenience.
- Chill the cake layers before frosting for a smoother finish.
- If you don’t have piping tips, use a zip-top bag with a small hole cut in the corner as a piping bag.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Skilled bakers can incorporate more elaborate designs like sugar flowers, hand sculpted teddy bears, or even bar & bat themed elements for unique twists.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use a different cake flavor?
Yes! Vanilla, lemon, or any other flavor works just as well. - How do I make the frosting dairy-free?
Use vegetable shortening instead of butter and dairy-free milk if needed. - Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! Bake the cake layers a day in advance and store them in the fridge before decorating. - What if I don’t have a piping bag?
A zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off works as a great alternative. - How do I keep the cake moist?
Wrap the cake layers in plastic wrap before frosting to lock in moisture. - Can I make this without food coloring?
Yes! The cake will still taste delicious, and you can use natural food coloring alternatives if preferred.
Special thanks to my neighbor, Barbara, who made this fun, Russian doll dress. If you're a fan of New Girl, you might recognize it.
The baby shower was so much fun! I just love getting together with family and friends while enjoying traditional treats and of course, this adorable Rubber Ducky Baby Shower Cake! It was the first official party in our newly renovated kitchen which I'll be blogging about soon. I can't wait to show y'all the before and after pictures of our 3 month kitchen project.
Our Baby Shower Menu
- A Baby Buggy Watermelon filled with assorted fruit (made by my daughter, Savannah and her friend, Sutton)
- The classic Spinach Dip served with Fritos and Wheat Thins (recipe is on the package of Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix and it is so, so good!)
- Fresh veggies platter with Ranch dressing for dipping
- Homemade Cheese Straws made by me! A Southern favorite and I even used my grandmother's cookie press which required a lot of elbow grease, but still was special and they came out great.
- Assorted nuts served in my great-grandmother's crystal candy dish
- Rubber Ducky Punch - blue Hawaiian punch with ginger ale in my mom's beautiful punch bowl she's had since the 1960s. (Special thanks to my friend, Lisa, who loaned me extra punch bowl cups.). We also had a self serve coffee service with real tea cups and saucers (Singapore Bird pattern.)
Related Recipes
Love this recipe? If you try it, be sure to tag me on Instagram! You can also find me on Pinterest, YouTube and Facebook.
Adorable Rubber Ducky Baby Shower Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
For the cake
- 2 boxes chocolate cake mix I used the Betty Crocker 15 oz gluten free mix
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup vegetable oil instead of butter
- 6 large eggs at room temperature
For the frosting
- 2 cups vegetable shortening
- 8 cups powdered sugar or a 2 lb. bag - comes in a clear plastic bag and you don't need to sift
- ½ cup almond milk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1-2 drops blue food coloring gel I used Americolor Sky Blue
Instructions
For the cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Spray again with cooking spray. Set aside. Prepare 2 cake mixes according to package instructions (I used vegetable oil instead of butter). Pour into prepared pans. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool.
For the frosting
- Beat shortening in large bowl with electric mixer on medium for 2 minutes. Gradually add sugar, almond milk and almond flavoring with mixer on low. Once combined, beat on medium for 2 minutes. If it's too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons more of almond milk.
- Take out 2 cups of white frosting and place in a small bowl. Color the remaining frosting light blue. I added one drop of blue food coloring. You can add a little more for a darker color.
Decorating the cake
- Frost the first layer of cake, then add the second layer and frost the entire cake smooth. (See the video for further decorating instructions.) Divide remaining white frosting into two pastry bags, one fitted with a #4 round pastry tip and another fitted with a #6 round pastry tip. Place a clean rubber ducky on cake, then pipe small, medium and large "bubbles" on to cake in a pattern of choice. Serve. Store cake covered at room temperature for 2 days and in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Lovina says
Why do you use 2 cake mixes? Wouldn’t one cake mix fill 2, 8” pans?
Lise Ode says
Because I used a gluten free cake mix. One gluten free cake mix makes one 8" round cake. If you use a regular (non-gluten free) cake mix like Pillsbury, then it should make two layers.
Paula says
How would you describe this frosting? Is it light and fluffy or thick and solid?
Can regular shortening be used in place of the vegetable shortening ?
Lise Ode says
I would say light and fluffy when it's at room temperature. If you refrigerate it, it will become solid. And I don't know what you mean by regular shortening, but you could substitute butter.
Deborah says
This is just so adorable! I love all of your special occasion cake ideas
Des says
How cute is this cake?! Love it! Such a great baby shower theme!
Liz says
Love this theme for a baby shower! And the cake is adorable and I love the shortcut!!
Natalie Mayhew says
The cutest baby shower theme and cake!
Bernice says
How adorable. I am crossing my fingers for the opportunity to make one of these for my sisters. Auntie B loves to bake!
Amy says
I love this cake! It's always a show stopper and so tasty!
Karyn says
How long did you let it sit before you frosted it and what did you use to frost it? I havnt had much luck lately that I've been getting cake crumbles in my frosting..
Rachel Morgan says
It’s best to let a cake cook as long as possible! But for at least an hour and a half at the least! The cake needs to be totally cool to prevent any crumbly cake while frosting!!
Rachel Morgan says
It’s best to let a cake cool as long as possible! But for at least an hour and a half at the least! The cake needs to be totally cool to prevent any crumbly cake while frosting!!
Shana says
Which rubber ducky did you use for your cake?? I’ve been looking online and many are not as cute as the one you have. Much appreciated!!
Lise Ode says
Hi Shana,
I think I found it at either Walmart or a party supply store.