| | | | |

Fluffy First Birthday Cake (Healthy Smash Cake For 1 Year Old)

This simple first birthday cake recipe for your one year old features a soft airy vanilla sponge frosted with silky smooth cream, naturally sweetened with fruit and maple, and decorated with extra piped frosting and fresh berries.

The recipe was inspired by this banana muffin recipe but it shares the airy spongy texture with these Santa mini cakes, although it doesn’t include bananas.

Sliced first birthday cake for one year old baby showing the fluffy texture inside. Healthy smash cake.
Sliced first birthday cake for one year old.

Make a Healthier First Birthday Cake

Whether you’re looking to celebrate your baby’s first birthday, or for delicious desserts to feed your little one, or a fun activity to do together, this 1st birthday cake is sure to be a hit.

Why Homemade Smash Cake is Better

  • Health benefits: you control the ingredients by using organic wholesome ingredients, without artificial colors, no refined sugar and omit potential allergens.
  • Saves money: costs less than buying a cake from a bakery;
  • Personal Touch: a homemade cake symbolizes love and effort. Imagine the joy years later when your child sees photos and learns you made their first cake.

You can choose to offer this entire dessert as a smash cake or just put a slice in front of your baby, so you’ll get the same cute messy cake pics, without the waste. And most likely the parent will get to taste it too!

first birthday cake smash cake for baby

Heads up: this post may contain affiliate links & I may receive a small commission from qualifying sales. For more info see my disclaimer policy.

Ingredients Needed

For the cake batter you need simple basic ingredients, but if you prefer the first smash cake to be on the healthier side, here is exactly what ingredients I used:

Cake Batter

  • Flour – I’m using all purpose organic einkorn flour (healthier white flour) it will make the cake light and fluffy. I also tried making this cake with half all-purpose and half oat flour (ground oats) and it’s still good, but it had a denser texture and darker color.
  • Eggs – are need to provide that soft spongy texture and to bind ingredients together.
  • Banana – is used as a sweetener and for flavor as well as for moisture and softness. If you don’t want banana in it, use apple sauce or yogurt instead.
  • Maple sugar – it’s basically dry/crystalized maple syrup, a natural alternative to cane sugar. I used a small amount, but you can omit it, if you like to avoid it.
  • Butter or oil – use melted butter, coconut oil or avocado oil – it provides moisture and fluffiness.
  • Baking soda + lemon juice (or vinegar) – as the leavening agent, it replaces baking powder.
  • Vanilla + salt is optional.

For the baby cake frosting, you need only 3 ingredients:

  • Heavy cream – I used this organic heavy cream (without gums). It whips in 2 minutes.
  • Sour cream – the sourness helps with the flavor and the creaminess improves the texture. If you can’t use sour cream, use a thick yogurt with a similar texture, such as Greek yogurt (strain the liquid);
  • Maple sugar – is used as a natural sugar alternative.

How To Make This First Birthday Smash Cake for Baby

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and prepare two 6 inch cake pans by covering the round bottom with parchment paper.

Step-by-step Guide For Making The Batter

  • In a large bowl, mix together the two eggs (cold), until frothy, then add the maple sugar and continue mixing with your mixer until it transforms into a silky smooth white mixture and doubles in size. This is the base for an airy spongy cake – soft enough for a baby to smash.
  • Next, add the mashed banana (use a fork) and melted butter (or oil) to the egg mixture and continue mixing until incorporated. You can add pure vanilla extract here if you like.
Process shots showing how to make the batter for the first birthday cake: mixing the eggs
how to make the batter for the first birthday cake
  • Gradually sift in your flour, half at a time, stir and ensure that there are no lumps. Then whisk in your baking soda + lemon juice (together) their reaction should make some foam, and gently mix until fully incorporated. But don’t overdo it, you don’t want to disperse the bubbles too much.
  • Finally, divide the batter evenly between your two cake pans and tap the pan a few times on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
Process shots showing how to divide the cake batter into two 6 inch cake pans and showing how the cake layers look after baking.
Baking the first birthday cake
  • Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
  • Baking time may vary and depend on what ingredients you used. If you made a healthy smash cake, by using flours like whole wheat or oat flour – it may increase the baking time considerably.

Remove from cake pan and allow the 1st birthday cake to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Make The Frosting

  • Simply whip together the heavy cream and maple sugar until stiff peaks form.
Process shots showing how to make the frosting for the first smash cake for baby by mixing heavy cream and sour cream with a hand mixer in a large bowl.
Making the frosting with heavy cream and sour cream.
  • Add in the sour cream (or yogurt) to the whipped cream, and continue to whip until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 30 seconds.

Assemble Your Baby’s First Birthday Smash Cake

Put together the smash cake by coating the two cooled cake layers with frosting. Use a generous amount on each side and top. If you have some leftovers, use it for piping a few flowers.

You could also cut the cake layers crosswise and make a 4 layer first birthday cake.

Process shots showing how to assemble the 1st birthday cake layers with frosting (6 inch cake for baby) and decorate.
Assembling the 1st birthday cake layers with frosting (6 inch cake).

Decorate the first birthday cake with some fresh berries such as raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries or other seasonal fruit.

Serve the entire birthday smash cake to your baby as is, or cut and serve a slice. If serving for your baby’s first birthday, get ready to snap some adorable photos of them digging in!

Finished birthday smash cake for 1 year old, decorated with fresh fruits and piped cream frosting.
Finished birthday smash cake for 1 year old, decorated with fresh fruits and piped cream frosting.

Make Ahead Of Time

Prepare the cake layers up to 2 days ahead and store in a cold place, covered.

Make the frosting and assemble the cake up to 12 hours before the birthday party starts. Apply décor up to 1 hour prior to serving.

Storing Baby’s First Birthday Smash Cake

For best texture and flavor is best to make and assemble the smash cake with frosting at least 6 hours (or the day before) before serving.

The resting time will help the frosting moist the cake layers on a deeper level, make it sturdier and prevent the frosting slipping off the birthday cake.

Once frosted keep the baby cake in the refrigerator, preferably covered.

Decorate with your favorite items (fruit, sprinkles, chocolate) an hour or so before serving.

If you have (un-smashed) cake leftovers keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Smashed first birthday cake for 1 year old.
The cake’s interior texture is soft and fluffy, perfect for smashing.

First Smash Cake Decoration Ideas

There are endless possibilities for first birthday smash cake decorations. Here are a few ideas of what healthy food items you can use for design:

  • Smashed cookie crumbles sprinkled on top or some ground nuts (if not allergic).
  • Coconut flakes and fresh fruit.
  • Melted chocolate drip or chocolate mixed in the frosting.
  • Grated / shaved chocolate pieces on top or use cacao powder.
  • Freeze dried fruit powder and pieces sprinkled all over the birthday cake. Choose between mango, banana, strawberry or pineapple.
  • Cover the first birthday cake with baby puffs, or arrange them as “number 1” on top.

Baby Cake Topper Ideas

Here are some cute birthday cake toppers and decoration ideas you can use for you 1 year old:

Make This Birthday Cake Gluten Free

Use a gluten free flour mix as a all-purpose flour alternative.

Make It Dairy Free

Since the cake layers are already naturally dairy free, you just need to come up with a dairy free frosting.

As heavy cream replacement use coconut cream (about 1.5 to 2 cups) and a dairy free yogurt (about 1 cup).

Beat the coconut cream on high until light and fluffy together with maple sugar then add the yogurt.

FAQs

What size should smash cake be?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as the size of first birthday smash cakes can vary depending on your preferences. Usually between 4 and 6 inches in diameter, so the baby could handle playing with it.

What age can you do a cake smash?

A first birthday cake smash can typically be done at any age from around 12 months to 18 months, and sometimes later. Though it is important to consider your child’s food allergies, and to avoid including ingredients that may be harmful or triggering. Some parents prefer to wait until their baby is a bit older, while others may choose to do the first birthday cake smash as soon as their child is ready.

How can I decorate my first birthday smash cake?

There are many different ways to decorate a first birthday smash cake, depending on your preferences and the preferences of your child. Some popular decorating ideas include sprinkling cookie or nut crumbles on top, adding fresh fruit or berries, drizzling melted chocolate, or using grated or shaved chocolate pieces. You can also use freeze dried fruit powder, baby puffs, or other fun and festive toppings to add a unique touch to your first birthday smash cake. Additionally, you can use first birthday cake toppers.

What can I use instead of a smash cake?

Some alternatives to first birthday smash cakes include muffins, cupcakes, waffles, cookies or even pancakes. Use your imagination of ways to prep and serve.

More Sweet Treats For Your Baby

If you made this baby birthday cake and you loved it, please leave a comment, or a 5 star rating review!

Printable Recipe

1st birthday cake smash cake for baby healthy

Fluffy First Birthday Cake (Healthy Smash Cake For 1 Year Old)

ThrivingNest
This simple first birthday cake recipe for your one year old features a soft airy vanilla sponge frosted with silky smooth cream, naturally sweetened with fruit and maple, and decorated with extra piped frosting and fresh berries. Additionally, this healthy baby smash cake is super easy to make and requires no baking powder or artificial colors, it’s refined sugar free and perfect for both boys and girls.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Assembling Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Baby Food
Servings 8 slices
Calories 300.25 kcal

Ingredients
  

Baby Cake Batter

  • 2 large eggs (cold)
  • 4 tbsp maple sugar
  • 1 large banana (mashed)
  • 3 tbsp butter (melted (or oil))
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tsp lemon juice

Optional

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/5 tsp sea salt

Cake Frosting

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 tbsp maple sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (or thick yogurt)

Optional

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Make The Cake Batter

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and prepare two 6 inch cake pans by covering the round bottom with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the two eggs (cold), until frothy, then add the maple sugar and continue mixing with your mixer until it transforms into a silky smooth white mixture and doubles in size. This is the base for an airy spongy cake – soft enough for a baby to smash.
  • Next, add the mashed banana (use a fork) and melted butter (or oil) to the egg mixture and continue mixing until incorporated. You can add pure vanilla extract here if you like.
  • Gradually sift in your flour, half at a time, stir and ensure that there are no lumps.
  • Then whisk in your baking soda + lemon juice (together) their reaction should make some foam, and gently mix until fully incorporated.
    But don’t overdo it, you don’t want to disperse the bubbles too much.

Bake The Cake Layers

  • Finally, divide the batter evenly between your two cake pans and tap the pan a few times on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
    Baking time may vary and depend on what ingredients you used.
  • Remove from cake pan and allow the 1st birthday cake to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Make The Frosting

  • Simply whip together the heavy cream and maple sugar until stiff peaks form.
  • Add in the sour cream (or yogurt) to the whipped cream, and continue to whip until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 30 seconds.

Assemble The Baby's First Birthday Smash Cake

  • Put together the smash cake by coating the two cooled cake layers with frosting. Use a generous amount on each side and top.
  • If you have some leftovers, use it for piping a few flowers.
  • Decorate the baby's birthday cake with some fresh berries such as raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries or other seasonal fruit.
  • Serve the entire birthday smash cake to your baby as is, or cut and serve a slice.

Notes

For best texture and flavor is best to make and assemble the smash cake with frosting at least 6 hours (or the day before) before serving.

Make Ahead

Prepare the cake layers up to 2 days ahead and store in a cold place, covered. Make the frosting and assemble the cake up to 12 hours before the birthday party starts. Apply décor up to 1 hour prior to serving.

Gluten Free Option

Use a gluten free flour mix as a all-purpose flour alternative.

Dairy Free Option

As heavy cream replacement use coconut cream (about 1.5 to 2 cups) and a dairy free yogurt (about 1 cup). Make sure its a thick yogurt.
How To: beat the coconut cream on high until light and fluffy together with maple sugar then add the dairy free yogurt.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 300.25kcalCarbohydrates: 30.46gProtein: 4.03gFat: 18.22gSodium: 276.5mgPotassium: 173.75mgFiber: 0.98gSugar: 11.5gVitamin A: 690.13IUVitamin C: 2.05mgCalcium: 65.75mgIron: 1.11mg
Have you tried any of these recipes? Your feedback is really helpful, please rate and leave a comment below recipe card!!
This simple easy first birthday cake recipe for your one year old features a soft airy vanilla sponge frosted with silky smooth cream, naturally sweetened with fruit. This healthy baby smash cake is super easy to make and requires no baking powder or artificial colors, it's refined sugar free and perfect for both boys and girls for their 1st birthday. Celebrate your baby's first birthday with this healthy, soft 1st smash cake! #babycake #first #birthday #cake #samshcake #baby #healthy
Pin It For Later!

©ThrivingNest. Content and photographs are copyright protected and need prior permission to use. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to other websites and any social media is strictly prohibited. Sharing and using the link of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated!

Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only and not intended for medical advice. Please refer to my full disclaimer for more info.

Similar Posts

4 Comments

    1. Yes you could probably dump all the batter in one 9×9 pan, but make sure it’s a tall one, and the baking time may vary (it will need more time to cook inside).

  1. 5 stars
    This actually made a fluffy cake! I took a gamble on this recipe for my daughter’s first birthday wanting a cake 1) without refined sugars and 2) easily adapted to a gluten free cake and 3) fluffy not super dense. This is a fantastic, slightly sweet cake that’s fluffy. I used smaller pans anticipating it wouldn’t rise but this cake doubles, at least, while baking. It therefore took almost twice the time but cake out beautiful nonetheless. Thanks!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating