You’ve found the design you want — Spiderman, Bluey, a field of Minecraft blocks — and then comes the question we hear most: should it be a sponge cake or a gelato cake? Here’s the part that makes Bannos different: you don’t have to compromise the design to get the format you want. Every one of our themed cakes comes both ways — a classic fresh-cream sponge, or an artisan gelato (ice cream) cake. Same look, same price. This guide walks you through how to pick the right one for your party.
The quick decision
Choose sponge if:
- You want the traditional birthday-cake experience: soft cake, fresh cream, candles, slices on plates.
- The cake will sit out during the party (sponge is happy at room temperature for a couple of hours).
- You’re feeding a mixed crowd who expect a classic cake.
Choose gelato if:
- It’s summer, or an outdoor party, and something cold and refreshing wins.
- Your birthday person is an ice-cream lover first.
- You want the wow of a scoop-shop dessert in birthday-cake form.
Both come in the same designs and the same five sizes, so the decision is purely about taste and occasion — never about the look.
How they’re different
Sponge cake. Light layers of sponge with fresh cream between them, decorated to your theme. It’s the familiar birthday cake: soft, not too sweet, easy to serve. Store it in the fridge and bring it out 1–2 hours before serving so it’s at its best.
Gelato cake. Our own artisan gelato layered over a sponge base, finished by hand. Denser and creamier than regular ice cream, with more intense flavour because gelato has less air and less fat. It arrives and lives in the freezer, and comes out a few minutes before serving.
Serving and storage at a glance
| Sponge cake | Gelato cake | |
|---|---|---|
| Stored in | Fridge | Freezer |
| Before serving | Out 1–2 hours | Out 5–10 minutes |
| Texture | Soft cake + fresh cream | Dense, creamy, frozen |
| Best season | Year-round | Especially summer / outdoors |
| Flavour options | Vanilla, chocolate, caramel, Nutella, Biscoff, Oreo | Choose 2 from 16+ gelato flavours |
Wait — you do both? Yes, and that’s the point
Most cake shops in Sydney make one or the other. The ice-cream specialists can’t do a fresh-cream sponge. The sponge bakers can’t do gelato. Bannos is the only one that offers the exact same design either way, so the format is your choice, not a limitation of where you ordered.
That means you can get the same Avengers cake as a sponge for a winter party and as a gelato cake for a summer one. Browse any themed cake and you’ll see both options — just look for the link to switch formats on the product page.
See an example: the Avengers cake, in sponge and gelato →
So, which one?
If you’re not sure, here’s our rule of thumb: pick sponge for the classic party-and-candles birthday, and gelato when the weather’s warm or the birthday person loves ice cream. You genuinely can’t get it wrong, because the design, the size options and the price are the same either way. The only thing that changes is what’s inside.
Frequently asked questions
Is a gelato cake more expensive than a sponge cake?
No. The same design is the same price whether you choose sponge or gelato.
Can I get the same character design in both?
Yes — that’s our whole point of difference. Every themed design is available as a sponge cake and as a gelato cake. Look for the switch-format link on any product page.
Which is better for a summer birthday?
Gelato. It’s cold and refreshing, ideal for warm weather and outdoor parties. For cooler months or a traditional party, sponge is the classic choice.
Do both come in the same sizes?
Yes — both are available in Small through Large Tall (10 up to 65 servings), with Sydney-wide delivery.
Found your design? Pick your format. Browse sponge birthday cakes or gelato cakes, or open any themed cake to choose sponge or gelato. Delivered fresh and frozen across Sydney.