First Birthday Smash Cake Ideas

A tradition that is becoming increasingly popular, smash cakes are tiny individual cakes given to a child on his or her first birthday. Separate from the primary birthday cake that is divvied up for guests to enjoy, smash cakes are solely created for the birthday baby to grab, bite and smash into pieces. Many bakeries now offer smash cakes for sale, but if your budget is tight or you simply would rather make your little one’s cake at home, read on for some tips to help you bake and serve the perfect birthday treat.

Bake a Layer Cake in a Can

Anybody can put a cupcake in front of a child, but a baby-sized version of a standard birthday cake will wow your guests and make for charming, memorable first birthday photos. You do not have to go out and buy special pans that you will only use a few times, either. One way to do so is to use a tin can as your cake pan. Look for a BPA-free can, which are used by increasingly more organic food producers.

Wash and dry the can thoroughly and make sure there are no rough edges that could cut you or damage the cake when you remove it. Line the bottom of the can with a circle of parchment paper (simply trace the bottom of the can onto the paper and cut it out) and then butter and flour or spray the interior of the can with quality nonstick baking spray.

Make your favorite cake recipe or boxed cake, pour some batter into the can and bake. Remove the cake from the can and allow it to cool. If you have trouble getting it out, open the opposite end of the can and gently push it out. When cool, slice the cake into two or three layers and frost.

Other Baking Ideas

If you cannot find BPA-free cans or would rather go another route, simply find something small, round and oven proof in which you can bake two or three little cake layers. For instance, you could use ramekins, coffee mugs or canning jars. Alternatively, you could fill only the bottom halves of two or three muffin tins with batter and bake up mini cake layers in no time. Another great idea is to simply bake a cake in a standard size pan. Use a biscuit cutter or circular cookie cutters to cut layers from the finished cake. If you have circle-shaped cookie cutters in varying sizes, you could even make an adorable tiered smash cake.

Frosting and Serving the Cake

When it is time to ice your smash cake, stick with simple white or chocolate frosting. Brightly tinted food coloring can stain your baby’s clothing, your furniture or anything else the icing gets smashed into. Avoid decorative candy cake toppers, as your little one could potentially choke on them. Instead, cover the smash cake with colorful sprinkles that will appeal to your one-year-old and look adorable plastered onto little hands and cheeks in birthday photos.

Finally, consider saving the smash cake until the end of the party. Then, once everyone has enjoyed the celebration and said their goodbyes, you can pop your baby into the tub for a much-needed birthday bath.