Ready to create the cutest (and messiest) birthday tradition for your little one? Smash cakes are exactly what they sound like - a cake your baby can smash. This tradition usually takes place on the baby’s first birthday. You can still utilise the concept whenever you start introducing solid foods to your baby - allowing them to explore food with all of their senses in a way that’s both safe and healthy. In this article, we’ll give you some ideas for making your own smash cake recipe, tips for a successful smash cake experience, and how to make sure this experience is enjoyable for you and your baby. Let’s dive into it!
Choose the Right Smash Cake Recipe
The first thing to consider when preparing to bake a smash cake is, of course, choosing a baby-friendly recipe. The recipe should make a cake that’s soft, not too sweet, and free from allergens they’re not accustomed to yet, such as honey and nuts.
Basic sugar-free cake recipes containing vanilla or banana are generally considered safe and are well-liked by babies. For any multiple-tier smash cake recipes you’ll need 3-4 smaller baking pans (to make your cake baby-sized) around 4 to 6 inches wide or tart pans, a cooling rack, and a spatula to mix with.
Baby Smash Cake Recipe With Bananas
This recipe will be safe for 12-month-old babies to eat and explore! Generally, all the ingredients are safe for the baby but if you’re unsure about any ingredients (such as yoghurt or cream cheese) and you’re introducing these foods for the first time, do so in small amounts and observe for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, vomiting, or difficulty breathing.
This recipe is designed for a 4 to 6 inch round cake. If you have a larger pan or want to make a bigger cake, use our cake calculator to adjust the ingredients for different cake sizes.
For this recipe you’ll need:
- 5 bananas, preferably ripe
- ½ cup of applesauce
- 3 tsp of vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour
- ¾ cup oat flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
For the frosting:
- 1 cup of cream cheese
- half a cup of applesauce
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Here’s how to make the smash cake:
1. Mash the bananas in a bowl with the applesauce in a large mixing bowl.
2. Separately, mix the dry ingredients - both flours, baking soda and cinnamon
3. Incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients slowly and then mix until the consistency gets as homogeneous as possible.
4. Coat your baking pans with oil.
5. Spread the mixture into the pans. If you choose to go with bigger pans, you might only be able to make 2-3 layers, as with 4-inch pans you should be able to make 4 layers.
6. Bake at 190°C for 20-25 minutes (might take longer with bigger pans) and place them onto the cooling rack to cool down before frosting.
7. For the frosting whisk together cream cheese, apple sauce, and vanilla extract.
8. Smear evenly with a spatula between layers, on the top and sides of the cake.
Alternatively, you can use yoghurt mixed with smashed blueberries or other berries instead of the frosting or between the cake layers. This recipe will make a soft and safe cake that your baby can dive into on their first birthday.
Smash Cake Baking Tips
Smash cakes are usually smaller because they are meant for babies. If you follow our recipe, you’ll notice that we suggest using a pan 4 to 6 inches wide. You can also try making them in muffin pans, for smaller layers, or even just adorable muffins you can share with your family.
Please note that using smaller pans (such as muffin baking pans) might require less baking time, while larger pans might take longer. A good rule of thumb is to use a wooden toothpick and stick it in to see if it’s baked through all the way. If the toothpick comes out clean - you’re good!
Smash Cake Decoration Tips
As mentioned, when decorating a smash cake for a 1-year-old, it's important to choose safe and natural ingredients. Keep the design simple by opting for fresh organic fruits as decorations. To add a splash of colour decorate it with cake toppers or birthday candles. These options will ensure the cake remains a healthy treat while being irresistibly cute and photogenic for your baby's big day.
How to Prepare for a Successful Smash Cake Experience
To prepare everything for the perfect smash cake experience for your baby you'll need more than just a delicious, baby-friendly cake. It’s also about setting the stage for the little celebrant. So, if you’re prepping for your baby’s first birthday, a little bit of thinking ahead can go a long way in making this the best possible experience for your little one, you and your guests, if you’re having any. Here are our tips to make this smash cake celebration a smashing success.
Set up the Space
We suggest you think about where your baby will be smashing his cake beforehand. You can use a highchair or a clean mat where they can enjoy the cake without making too much of a mess - or at least making the mess in a way that’s easy to clean up.
Capture the Moment
Set up a background and get your camera ready! Cake smashing can become a lifelong birthday tradition, and you don’t want to miss out on their first few cake smashes! Decorate the space with cute balloons that your baby will love to observe and play with - opt for balloons shaped like the number 1 or classic “Happy Birthday” foil balloons. Capture the baby’s reaction and curiosity, and make this a moment to remember and look back on in the future.
Clean Up Tips
Preparation is key when it comes to clean-up. Consider setting the surface with newspaper beforehand so you can simply roll up the mess afterward. Bibs and bib suits can help you a lot. After the mess has been done, your little one will probably need a good wash, so make sure the bath is ready to go to avoid spreading the mess throughout the house.
To Sum Up
Now you are ready to throw the cutest and messiest first birthday party ever. Making a smash cake is a fun and memorable way to celebrate your little one. No matter which cake you make, the true joy lies in watching them explore and enjoy their birthday sweet treat in their own unique way. By following our tips and recipe you can create a delicious and healthy smash cake for your baby. So gather all of your ingredients, get the camera ready, and start capturing your baby’s first smash cake moment. Happy baking!