As your little one approaches their first birthday, the to-do list can seem as long as your list of emotions about your baby turning one! Among the number of decisions to be made for the first birthday celebration, one tradition stands out as both adorable and memorable: the smash cake!
This whimsical moment, where the birthday baby is presented with a small cake to explore and enjoy to their heart's content, has become a cherished ritual for many families. Many moms choose to do a cake smash photo shoot in addition to having a smash cake for the birthday boy or girl at their first birthday party.
Have you considered making the smash cake yourself?
Here's why that is a delightful idea, along with some healthy smash cake recipes to get you started!
The Personal Touch
Creating your baby's smash cake adds a personal touch to the celebration. It's a labor of love that reflects your care and attention to detail, making the occasion even more special! Plus, when you bake the cake yourself, you have full control over the ingredients, ensuring that your little one enjoys a wholesome treat without any unnecessary additives or preservatives.
Memorable Moments
The smash cake photoshoot is a golden opportunity to capture precious moments that you'll cherish for years to come. Watching your baby's gleeful expressions as they dig into their cake with abandon is pure joy - both for you and for them! By making the cake yourself, you can tailor it to suit your baby's tastes and dietary needs or preferences, ensuring that they have a delightful experience without any concerns about allergies or sensitivities.
Healthy Options and Alternatives
While traditional smash cakes you can get at a bakery are often laden with sugar and artificial ingredients, there are plenty of healthy alternatives that are just as delicious! Don't get me wrong, there is certainly a time and a place for sugar or more traditional treats and if you choose to go that route for your baby's smash cake, that's okay too! But if you want to keep things more natural and healthy or your little one has food sensitivities or allergies, making the smash cake yourself is a great option!
Here are some wholesome smash cake recipes that you can try for your baby's first birthday:
Banana Oat Smash Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a small cake pan.
- In a bowl, mix the mashed banana, rolled oats, applesauce, baking powder, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool before decorating or serving to your little one.
Sweet Potato smash cake recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potato
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a small cake pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together the mashed sweet potato, coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the whole wheat flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients, stirring until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool before decorating.
Applesauce Carrot Smash Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a small cake pan.
- In a bowl, combine the applesauce, coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Stir in the grated carrots until evenly distributed.
- Add the whole wheat flour, baking powder, and cinnamon to the wet ingredients, mixing until smooth.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool before decorating and presenting to your little one.
Decorating Naturally
When it's time to decorate your natural smash cake alternative, consider using fruit or yogurt for the topping. You can also use fruit to color traditional icing if you want to stay away from artificial dyes. Check out this tutorial for how to make naturally colored frosting!
You can also top your homemade smash cakes with little snacks your baby already enjoys like yogurt melts or puffed shapes. Consider crushing cereal for a fun texture topping. Using a snack your child already loves can make the smash cake extra inviting and help tempt your little one to dive right in and give it a try!
Dig In!
Making the smash cake for your baby's first birthday photo shoot or first birthday party is a heartwarming endeavor that adds a personal touch to the celebration. By opting for healthy recipes, you can ensure that your little one enjoys a delicious treat that's free from unnecessary additives and ingredients. So roll up your sleeves, preheat your oven, and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime!
Looking for a cake smash photographer in Chattanooga?
Cake smash photo shoots are some of my absolute favorites! Please check out my cake smash page for more information and inspiration! If you're looking for someone to capture all the fun and mess of your baby's first birthday cake smash, send me a message!
I also offer milestone photo sessions for first birthdays (or any birthday) if smashing cakes isn't your thing. Please reach out to start planning the perfect milestone photo session for your little one!
Check out more images from these first birthday cake smash sessions featuring a homemade Smash cake!
