Looking for first birthday cake ideas? These all-natural smash cakes are just as fun as other sugar- and dye-laden recipes, but so much better for everyone.
Oh, Pinterest! From pregnancy announcements and gender reveals to newborn photo shoots there are thousands of gorgeous and inspiring how-tos to give us parents ideas. So as baby’s first year approaches, we scoured Pinterest yet again to find the healthiest, most natural Smash Cakes to serve to our little one (and guests!).
What is a Smash Cake?
The smash cake is baby’s first cake that he (or she) gets to smash and “eat” to celebrate his first birthday.
Many mamas will also make a second cake (or cupcakes) to serve to their guests as they probably don’t want to eat a cake that’s been finger food for baby. ?
A smash cake is baby’s first “treat” and many natural mamas want to give their babies the healthiest, most natural cake that’s still fun and festive.
How to Serve Smash Cakes
- When it’s time for dessert and a rendition of Happy Birthday, place baby in his highchair.
- Get your camera ready. The cake smash is a can’t-miss photo opportunity to celebrate baby’s first year of life… and their first taste of a treat.
- Put the smash cake in front of baby, while guests look on as she encounters the cake.
- Encourage baby to dig into cake. Some babies will just stare at smash cake and have no idea what to do. You can show your child how to “dig in” by starting the smash. Your child will then catch on. Other babies will have no problem diving right in.
- Serve another dessert—a larger cake, cupcakes, or cookies—to the rest of the guests.
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Smart Swaps for Healthy Smash Cakes
Despite the dangers of too much sugar, some parents are willing to let their kids get a taste of the sweet stuff on special occasions. Others prefer not to go there, choosing to skip refined sugar altogether. And still others fall somewhere in the middle.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some smart swaps you can make when baking smash cakes.
Use stable, saturated fats
Use saturated fats in your smash cakes, like ghee, butter, and coconut oil, instead of liquid oils. Did you know that breastmilk’s calories are comprised of 50% saturated fat? This special lipid literally feeds a baby’s brain so don’t be shy using this fat in your cooking. It’s also a very stable fat that can be cooked at high temperatures without oxidizing unlike most liquid oils. They also have a higher melt point so won’t melt in the heat if you have an outdoor party. You could do a blend of butter and this organic saturated fat shortening for a great frosting combo!
Use natural sugars from fruit, trees, or bees
Another way to make your smash cakes healthier? Swap refined sugar—white and brown sugar, dextrose, high fructose corn syrup, etc.—for natural sweeteners. Think: raw honey, real maple syrup, date sugar and ripe fruit. (Yes, at 12 months of age, babies can finally have honey!)
Robert Lustig, professor of pediatrics and member of the Institute for Health Policy Studies at the University of California, San Francisco told CNN:
There is no one person who wouldn’t benefit by eliminating added sugars from their diets.
And children, in particular, can benefit from the swap. Lustig’s research showed that when added sugar was eliminated from obese children’s diet, every aspect of their metabolic health improved—blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose intolerance, and more.
Smash Cakes Made With Wholesome Ingredients
OK, now it’s time to dive into some healthy smash cake recipes! You’ll see that we have some recipes:
- with and without flour,
- with and without natural sugars,
- with and without animal products,
- and with and without gluten.
Pick whichever one works for your baby!
Baby Faith’s Smash Cake 🙂
I thought I’d share what I made for Faith’s big 1st birthday party!
Baby Faith eating her smash cakes first birthday organic natural pink girl healthy 1st smashcake
For the cake, I used Simple Mills vanilla cake mix and made into two small, stacking cakes using these pans. For the frosting, I used this recipe. I used this natural food dye to make such a pink frosting!
Smash cakes first birthday organic natural pink girl healthy 1st smashcake
For the cupcakes, I used this gluten-free vanilla cake mix, which is the best tasting I have found and topped with fun sprinkles like these.
Smash cakes first birthday cupcakes cup cake organic natural pink girl healthy
Watermelon Cake (Vegan & Free of Sugar, Gluten, Flour)
A surefire way to ensure your baby’s first birthday cake is on the healthier side? Opt for a tower of fruit rather than a traditional cake. This happy watermelon cake is perfect for a summer birthday baby!
Smash Cakes – Watermelon Cake
Gluten-Free Cake
Though there isn’t much research to suggest kids who digest gluten well would benefit from going gluten-free (in fact some experts think a completely gluten-free diet for generally healthy kids could have adverse effects), however, many kids with ADHD, autism, and gastrointestinal issues do better with a gluten free diet.
Smash Cakes – Raspberry Apple Gluten-Free Cake
Paleo Cake (AIP-friendly, No Dairy/Eggs/Nuts/Seeds/Sugar)
This cake is for the health nut, hard core mama 🙂 Loaded with avocado and veggies, plus it has no sweetener and tons of saturated fats.
Smash Cakes – Paleo Cake
Get the recipe.
Blueberry Banana Cake (Contains Wheat & Dairy)
A nourishing cake recipe made of real ingredients that grandma used to use. And the pretty purple frosting doesn’t have a drop of food coloring in it—that gorgeous hue is from nothing but blueberries!
Smash Cakes – Blueberry Banana Cake
Get the recipe.
Healthy Chocolate Cake (Grain-free)
This rich, moist chocolate cake looks like it’s straight from the bakery window, but has no yucky processed ingredients. Almond and coconut flour make this treat grain-free, and pure maple syrup means no refined sugar.
Smash Cakes – Healthy Chocolate Cake
Get the recipe.
Carrot Cake (Raw, Vegan)
Three tiers of raw ingredients make this cake a total showstopper and an uber healthy treat.
Smash Cakes – Raw Carrot Cake
Get the recipe.
Strawberry Cake (Vegan & Grain and Sugar Free)
Nourishing oats are gentle on digestion and full of fiber, magnesium, iron, and zinc with no added gluten. A flavorful strawberry puree lends that hint of sweetness you expect from cake.
Smash Cakes – Strawberry
Get the recipe.
Beet Chocolate Cake (Grain/Gluten/Refined Sugar Free)
This flour-free recipe contains nourishing eggs, coconut oil and natural sweeteners. It’s star performer is beets! Serve with homemade frosting or straight up.
Smash Cakes – Beet Chocolate Cake
Get the recipe.
Coconut Flour Smash Cake (Grain, Dairy, and Sugar Free)
Rich in lauric acid, the same fat found abundantly in breastmilk, this simple recipe combines coconut, bananas and mineral-rich blackstrap molasses for a tasty treat.
Smash Cakes – Coconut Flour Cake
Get the recipe.
Oat Flour Cupcakes (Free of Everything!)
Instead of a smash cake, how about a smash cupcake? These tinier treats are still fun to smash, but a more appropriate size for baby. Plus, these cupcakes are free of everything, making them an especially great for kiddos with several food sensitivities.
Smash Cakes – Everything Free Cupcakes
Get the recipe.
Easiest Smash Cake EVA!
Of all the smash cakes, this is the easiest by far! Buy a Manna Bread in the Cinnamon Date flavor. (Available in the freezer section of Whole Foods.) Defrost it. Take it out of packaging and put it on plate. Spread with natural frosting and—voilà—your baby’s first smash cake!
Smash Cake – Griffin’s Lion Smash Cake
(This is what I did for Griffin’s first birthday cake. I used this frosting recipe.)
Think Outside the Box
Smash cakes don’t have to be cakes at all. It’s less about what you’re serving and more about marking a fun milestone for your baby. If baking and decorating a cake sounds like a lot of work, try another treat. You can make “cakes” out of homemade jello or marshmallows. Or you could celebrate with a batch of healthy doughnuts. Try not to stress — be present and enjoy your family’s special day. ?
How About You?
How did you celebrate your baby’s first birthday? Did you make a smash cake? Which smash cakes look best? Share in the comments below.
