I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone that I was super excited to bake my son Dylan’s first birthday cake. Typically called “smash cake”, it’s a birthday cake for a one year old that they can essentially smash, play around with, eat, dig in, throw, whatever. Anything goes! And extra cake for me to eat? Yes please! While researching recipes, I knew I wanted something on the healthier side- not too much added sugar for sure. Fresh fruit like bananas are a great way to add a natural sweetness to your cakes without having to add a bunch of cane sugar. I also used a combination of coconut oil (healthy fats!) and applesauce, which keeps the cake nice and moist. Oat flour is a healthy alternative to all-purpose, and I made mine by grinding up rolled oats in a food processor. Super easy! If I’m honest, I didn’t even pulverize the oats into total flour consistency, and left it a bit coarser to give the cake some texture. Whatever you prefer! Plus, if you use certified gluten-free oats, this cake is completely gluten-free as well. In terms of frosting, which can all too often be a huge sugar bomb, I went the Greek yogurt route, with just a touch of maple syrup for sweetness! Make sure you strain it so it’s extra thick for frosting purposes. Feel free to decorate however you desire- a more “naked” frosted cake or spread all-over, and top with berries or natural sprinkles. I was assembling this away from home, without my usual tools and decorating accessories, so it didn’t end up being the prettiest cake out there (I essentially threw sprinkles at it to cover up a messy frosting job), but it was still super fun to make! Just don’t forget the first birthday candles! I’m happy to report Dylan dug right in and ate quite a few handfuls (mostly frosting). Thankfully, he even shared with his mama ;) Happy baking!
First Birthday Smash Cake:
3 cups oat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
6 tbsp coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
6 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
3/4 cup mashed banana (about 1.5 large bananas)
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
4 large eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
fresh berries or sprinkles, for topping
Greek Yogurt Frosting:
3 cups whole milk greek yogurt
1 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Place greek yogurt in a mesh sieve or fine-mesh strainer lined with a paper towel with a bowl underneath. Let sit for a couple hours (or overnight in the fridge). Transfer the yogurt to a bowl and stir in maple syrup and vanilla extract. You may add more maple syrup if you prefer it sweeter. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 6-inch cake pans (you can alternatively use two 9-inch cake pans, but baking time will need to be adjusted), line each with parchment paper, and then grease the parchment as well. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl or base of a stand mixer, whisk together melted coconut oil, applesauce, maple syrup, mashed banana, almond milk, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Divide the batter evenly between prepared cake pans, and bake for about 22 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean. Remove from oven and place pans onto a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes before removing cakes from pans to cool completely.
To assemble, level off any dome shape on your cakes, so you have flat surfaces. Place one cake on your cake stand, (you can also use cake boards and a revolving cake stand if you’d like!), and top with frosting, spreading it in an even layer just past the edges. Add the second, repeat with frosting, and then repeat with the third cake . Use an offset spatula or knife to scrape off the frosting overhang for a “naked” cake look, or use additional frosting to coat the entire cake. Top with berries or sprinkles, and enjoy!
*Adapted from First Birthday Smash Cake with Yogurt Frosting by Yummy Toddler Food.
