If you’ve spent hours googling the best no added sugar smash cake to celebrate your little one’s first birthday, then your search is over because this post is for you!
What is a smash cake?
If this is your first baby, you’re likely new to the smash cake fiasco. Don’t worry, I was too! But, after a glance at social media I realized quickly what the whole ordeal was about and I’m sure you have too.
Essentially, it’s making (or ordering) a smaller cake that you allow your baby on their first birthday to “smash” or dive into it with reckless abandonment resulting in frosting smeared across their face, in their hair and priceless memories to be made.
Maybe it’s the sweet tooth side of me, or the fact I love watching Hayden eat, but the smash cake idea was going to happen whether Mr.CEO agreed to it or not.
Lucky for me he agreed, but only if I made the cake myself (we both promised to stay within a small budget for her first birthday party.)
What is the best smash cake size?
Truthfully, this depends on where you will be serving your little one their cake (aka the size of your high chair tray), what size pans you already have, and how much you care about food waste.
I tried both a 6-inch, 4-inch, and 3-inch cake pan and really preferred the 3-inch to the others. I also tried stacking the cake but much preferred the stand alone cake.
Why? Because my little one is so easily distracted having multiple cakes stacked up caused her attention to be focused on the stacks than on actually chowing into the cake!
Here’s a shot of her on her actual birthday diving into the cake. Take note the size fit perfectly on the Bumbo seat tray!
What makes this a healthy first birthday cake alternative?
This cake is made with no added sugar!
No, it’s not necessary but is something Mr.CEO and I wanted to do as we are trying to limit Hayden’s intake of added sugars to as close to zero as possible until she is two years old (this is a recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics as well).
Plus, Hayden really prefers fresh fruits and until she knows the difference, why not continue to offer her delicious goodies baked with all natural sugars from her favorites (which these days are bananas, strawberries, and peaches!)
To make a smash cake with no added sugar, I like to pulse freeze dried fruit in a food processor to make a fine powder. Depending on the fruit you use, you also can get a pretty natural food coloring too! Think freeze dried raspberries and strawberries for a pretty pink hue.
What ingredients make the best first birthday cake?
I may or may not be that mom who made 4 (okay 5) trials of the smash cake to figure out which one worked the best. You’re welcome in advance for doing your dirty work!
As much as a I wanted the banana bread-esque tiered cake to work, it really was just so dense Hayden couldn’t get her tiny hands into it enough to break apart the layers and have that #InstaWorthy smash cake session.
So, I went back to the drawing board and came up with this Smash Cake Cheesecake. Yes, it combined all her favorite foods: strawberries, cream cheese, yogurt and eggs!
Another snapshot from the day we served the cake. As you can see, my daughter needed a little help to dive into the cake despite what other blogs say that continual exposure will help them learn to smash it!
Also you’ll see she preferred a fork! What a little stinker!
What if I don’t have time to bake a cake?
Trust me, I get that question a lot! Enter, your Instant Pot! I tried this cake in both the oven and the Instant Pot and it actually turned out even better in the Instant Pot!
If you have 5 minutes to make the cake, then you can let the Instant Pot do the rest!
Are there other cakes I’d recommend?
Absolutely! Check out Delish Knowledge and Lively Table for two other choices I’d totally recommend for smash cake success! And you can easily whip up these 10 Minute Cheesecakes for an adult version to share with your guests!
Smash Cake Cheesecake
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- 3-inch Cake Pan
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup whole milk yogurt plain
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon freeze dried strawberry powder
Instructions
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, mix all ingredients together.
- Liberally spray a 3-inch cake pan with cooking spray, ensuring to spray all sides and the bottom edges. Pour batter into cake pan. Cover with aluminum foil so the cake pan is covered entirely.
- Pour 1 cup of water to the metal pot of your Instant Pot (or pressure cooker). Place metal trivet inside and position cake pan on top. Cover with lid and set valve to sealing.
- Press Pressure Cook (HIGH) and set timer for 30 minutes. When cooking completes, allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then use a quick release to remove remaining pressure.
- Allow cake to cool on the counter for 30 minutes, then place in the fridge to cool another 2+ hours.
- When ready to position onto a plate, use a small knife to gently loosen the sides from the cake pan. Invert cake onto desired pan and gently shake the cake pan to get it to fall out.
- Top with desired fresh fruit or your child's favorite foods, like a fun Cheerio boarder!
- Store in the fridge until ready to use.
Notes
Let me know in the comments below, did you make a first birthday smash cake for your kiddo? How did they do?! Smash worthy or prefer a fork?!
For more #simpleswaps, be sure to follow @shawsimpleswaps on Instagram and Facebook!
Sheryl says
Hi, can I replace the freeze dried powder with vanilla extract for flavour?
Elizabeth Shaw says
Yes, that should work!
Misti says
I’m currently living in France, and it’s not easy to find freeze-dried strawberry powder here. Will omitting it from the recipe affect the consistency of the cake?
Elizabeth Shaw says
Hi Misti! It will not affect consistency, but flavor a tad. I’d recommend adding a touch of maple syrup or date syrup so it imparts a little sweetness!
Charlene says
Would I be able to stack two of these on top of each other? I want to make two 4-inch cakes and stack them so it’s taller.
Elizabeth Shaw says
The only thing I worry about is the texture and if it will hold! Since it’s primarily yogurt and cream cheese based, it is not very durable. You can always try it! But I can’t promise it will work. Sorry!
Jacqueline says
Where’ did you find the 3 inch cake pan??
Elizabeth Shaw says
I found it at Home Goods but you could also use a 4-inch pan, it just won’t be quite as tall! Amazon has a 4-inch pan.
Carisse says
Hi! Thanks for sharing this recipe. May I ask if the 3inch cake pan refers to the diameter? I’m having a hard time finding such a small cake pan at where I live but I also thought it looked bigger than that in your photos. Thought I’ll clarify. Thank you!!
Elizabeth Shaw says
So sorry for the late reply! It is in reference to the diameter. You can always use a different pan (I’ve had someone use a 4-inch square) but just note the final product will be a tad different! Good luck!