Baby\u2019s First Birthday Cake<\/span><\/h2>\nHere\u2019s the dilemma. You want your baby to have an adorable, memorable time squishing his chubby little hands in a smash cake on their first birthday. But you don\u2019t want your baby to have lots of sugar or artificial colors and flavors quite yet. <\/p>\n
The solution is easy\u2026\u2026make your own smash cake! A smash cake is supposed to be a cake that you give your baby on their first baby to basically dig their hands into and eat while everyone takes photos and oohs and ahs. (which ironically usually makes the baby nervous and apprehensive about digging into the cake)<\/p>\n
My First Birthday Smash Cake is moist, light, tasty, and irresistible to smash. And it\u2019s made from simple whole food ingredients like fruit, whole milk, and whole grain flour so you can feel good about letting your baby dig in. <\/p>\n
You won\u2019t find any added sugars or oils in this cake, either. It\u2019s the perfect recipe to help you keep fun traditions while avoiding ingredients you\u2019re not ready for your baby to have yet.<\/p>\n <\/picture> <\/picture><\/noscript><\/figure>\nIngredients in First Birthday Smash Cake<\/span><\/h2>\n\nFruit Puree \u2013 <\/strong>This recipe calls for peaches and banana. You can use a variety of different fruits to make the puree for this recipe. Pears, banana, applesauce, strawberries, or mango. <\/li>\nWhole Milk<\/strong> \u2013 gives this cake a good texture and flavor. See below for milk substitutes. <\/li>\nEgg<\/strong> \u2013 one large egg. Ff your baby can\u2019t have eggs, see below for substitutes. <\/li>\nVanilla<\/strong> \u2013 adds yummy flavor. <\/li>\nFlour<\/strong> \u2013 you can use all-purpose flour, whole wheat, or even oat flour. <\/li>\nCream<\/strong> \u2013 heavy cream for the frosting. <\/li>\nMaple Syrup<\/strong> \u2013 this adds a subtle sweetness in the frosting. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/picture> <\/picture><\/noscript><\/figure>\nHow to Make A First Birthday Cake<\/span><\/h2>\nThis cake is easy to make! The basic concept: mix the wet ingredients in one bowl, the dry ingredients in another, then stir them all together to finish the batter.<\/p>\n
\nThere\u2019s one unconventional ingredient in this recipe, and that\u2019s the fruit puree. Use your food processor to blend a banana with half a cup of sliced peaches. <\/strong>It\u2019s OK to use frozen (and thawed) peaches here. Fresh also works, and you can leave the skin on if you like. Just make sure you blend it well. <\/li>\nWhen it comes to the size and shape of your cake, you\u2019ve got options. We used two six-inch diameter pans to make a mini layer cake. But you can also pour the batter into a standard-sized cupcake tin to make cupcakes.<\/strong> Keep in mind that the batter is for a baby-sized cake. So the amount of batter you get with the recipe will only fill half a standard-sized muffin tin. You should double the recipe if you want to make a full-sized sheet of cupcakes.<\/li>\nBake the cake until a toothpick comes out clean from the center, then cool on a rack.<\/li>\n The frosting is simply whipped cream! Use a stand-mixer or hand beaters to whip heavy cream. Add maple syrup for a bit of sweetness.<\/li>\n Frost cake when cooled and add fresh fruit for garnish, and a candle of course! <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n <\/picture> <\/picture><\/noscript><\/figure>\nIngredient Substitutions for First Birthday Cake<\/span><\/h2>\n\nDairy<\/strong>\u2013Free<\/strong>: use almond or coconut milk in place of regular whole milk. Instead of heavy cream, use a can of coconut cream or full fat coconut milk. Make sure it is chilled and then place in a chilled mixing bowl. Beat for 30 seconds with a mixer until creamy.\u00a0<\/li>\nGluten-Free:<\/strong> Instead of wheat flour, you can use oat flour<\/strong> 1:1 ratio. You can make your own by blending oats in a blender to make a finer powder, or just purchase from the store. <\/li>\nEgg-Free:<\/strong> You can replace the egg in this recipe with a few different options:\n\nCarbonated Water<\/strong> (it really works!): 1\/4 cup carbonated water = 1 large egg<\/li>\nBaking Powder Mixture<\/strong>: 2 tablespoons water + 2 teaspoons baking powder + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil = 1 large egg<\/li>\nFlax Egg<\/strong>: 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds and 3 tablespoons of water = 1 large egg<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/picture> <\/picture><\/noscript><\/figure>\nFrequently Asked Questions about First Birthday Cake<\/span><\/h2>\n\nCan babies have cake on their first birthday?<\/strong> Yes! It is perfectly healthy for your baby turning 1 to have cake. It is important for our kids to learn to have a healthy relationship with food and to know how to manage their food environment. This is a great way to help them learn. <\/li>\nWhat is a Smash Cake? <\/strong>A smash cake is basically\u00a0a tiny cake meant for just your baby on their first birthday. The idea is that they will dig into it and \u2018smash\u2019 it while eating. <\/li>\nWhat kind of cake is this cake recipe?<\/strong> The flavor is most like a mild tasting spice cake, but more fruity.<\/li>\nCan other fruits be used in this recipe? <\/strong>Yes! You can use whatever kind of fruit you like \u2013 as long as it adds up to 1\/2 cup fruit puree. I would recommend bananas, peaches, applesauce, strawberries, or pears. <\/li>\nCan I use baby food for the fruit puree? <\/strong> Yep \u2013 that is a great idea. <\/li>\nHow dense is this cake?<\/strong> If you make it as the recipe states, it is a very moist and somewhat dense cake kind of like a zucchini bread. <\/li>\nCan I make the cake ahead of time? <\/strong>Absolutely! In fact I would recommend it since the day of your child\u2019s birthday can get kind of hectic. Make and bake the cake, and let it cool. Then wrap in plastic wrap and store in the freezer until ready to frost for the big day!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/noscript><\/figure>\nIdeas for Decorating A Smash Cake<\/span><\/h2>\nNow\u2019s the fun part. Indulge your creative impulses! Here are a few fresh and fun ideas for dressing up your baby\u2019s first birthday cake:<\/p>\n
\nDecorate with fresh berries.<\/strong> Cut strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries make this cake naturally beautiful.<\/li>\nGet a \u201c1\u201d candle, or another themed cake topper.<\/strong> Is your party nautical? Elmo-themed? Unicorns? Dinosaurs? Check Amazon for cake toppers that match your baby\u2019s bash.<\/li>\nAdd 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch to the whipped cream frosting if you\u2019re assembling your cake ahead.<\/strong> This prevents the frosting from melting and losing its shape while you\u2019re waiting to serve it.<\/li>\nSprinkle dye-free sprinkles on top. <\/strong>We like the colors of this brand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/noscript><\/figure>\nMore Healthy Cake Ideas<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
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Batter<\/h4>\n\n1\/2<\/span> cup<\/span> fruit puree<\/span><\/li>\n1\/2<\/span> cup<\/span> whole milk<\/span><\/li>\n1<\/span> large<\/span> egg<\/span><\/li>\n1<\/span> teaspoon<\/span> vanilla<\/span><\/li>\n1<\/span> cup<\/span> flour<\/span><\/li>\n1<\/span> teaspoon<\/span> baking powder<\/span><\/li>\n1\/4<\/span> teaspoon<\/span> baking soda<\/span><\/li>\n1\/4<\/span> teaspoon<\/span> salt<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Fruit puree<\/h4>\n\n1\/2<\/span> cup<\/span> peaches<\/span> see notes for other options<\/span><\/li>\n1<\/span> small<\/span> banana<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Frosting<\/h4>\n\n1\/2<\/span> cup<\/span> heavy cream<\/span><\/li>\n2<\/span> teaspoons<\/span> pure maple syrup<\/span> optional<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Batter<\/h4>\n\n\nWhisk your fruit puree, milk, egg, and vanilla together.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nIn a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nSlowly pour your liquid ingredients into the dry, and mix until the dry ingredients are all wet.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nPour your batter into a greased 6 inch round pan (Double ingredients to make a double layer).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nBake at 350 for 20-30 minutes, or until you can stick a knife through the center and it comes out clean.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Frosting<\/h4>\n\n\nWhip cream until light and fluffy. Stire in maple syrup for added sweetness. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\nFrost cake and decorate with fresh berries or sprinkles. Refridgerate until your baby is ready to smash!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Makes one 6 inch cake (20-30 Minute cooking time), 12 mini cupcakes (10 minute cooking time), or 6 regular size cupcakes (~15 min cooking time)<\/span> \nFruit Puree Options:\u00a0 You can use applesauce, pears, banana, strawberries, mango, or peaches.\u00a0 These can be fresh, frozen or canned.\u00a0 Just bring to room temperature before pureeing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nServing: <\/span>1<\/span>cake<\/span><\/span> | <\/span>Calories: <\/span>1178<\/span>kcal<\/span><\/span> | <\/span>Carbohydrates: <\/span>147<\/span>g<\/span><\/span> | <\/span>Protein: <\/span>28<\/span>g<\/span><\/span> | <\/span>Fat: <\/span>53<\/span>g<\/span><\/span> | <\/span>Saturated Fat: <\/span>32<\/span>g<\/span><\/span> | <\/span>Polyunsaturated Fat: <\/span>4<\/span>g<\/span><\/span> | <\/span>Monounsaturated Fat: <\/span>14<\/span>g<\/span><\/span> | <\/span>Trans Fat: <\/span>1<\/span>g<\/span><\/span> | <\/span>Cholesterol: <\/span>335<\/span>mg<\/span><\/span> | <\/span>Sodium: <\/span>1444<\/span>mg<\/span><\/span> | <\/span>