Smash Cake
A Smash Cake is a small, soft, and lightly sweetened cake made especially for babies' first birthdays. It's perfect for little hands to dig into and enjoy a fun, messy celebration! This cake is usually made with natural ingredients and less sugar than a regular cake to keep it baby-friendly.
Equipment
- 6-inch round cake pans (2)
- Mixing bowls –
- Electric mixer
- Cooling rack
- Offset spatula
- Piping bag (optional)
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour for a healthier option
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup for natural sweetness
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk or unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup mashed bananas or unsweetened applesauce
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt or unsweetened whipped cream
- ½ cup cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup optional, for mild sweetness
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and honey (or maple syrup) until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Mix in mashed bananas (or applesauce) and milk until well combined.
- Gradually fold in dry ingredients until the batter is smooth.
Step 2: Bake the Cake
- Divide batter evenly between the two cake pans.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Make the Frosting
- In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and honey (if using).
- Stir until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate for 10 minutes before using.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting on top.
- Stack the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with a thin, even layer.
- For extra decoration, pipe a few swirls of frosting or add soft fruit on top.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
- Best served fresh. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Notes
- No sugar added: This cake is naturally sweetened for babies. If making for adults, you can add ¼ cup sugar.
- Alternative flours: You can use oat flour or whole wheat flour for a healthier version.
- Colorful frosting: Add beet puree or fruit puree for natural coloring.