What are smash cakes?
Smash cakes are small, single-serving cakes that are typically served to infants and toddlers at birthday parties. They are called "smash" cakes because they are meant to be smashed by the child on their special day.
Smash cakes are usually round and are covered in white frosting. However, some people also bake their own batter to make the colors of the smash cake match their child's special theme for his or her birthday party.
Smash cakes are a fun way for children to celebrate their birthdays. They get to enjoy a small cake all to themselves, and they get to have some fun smashing it up! Plus, it's a great way for parents to capture some sweet memories of their child's very first birthday.
For example, an infant may be given the smash cake at the end of his or her first birthday party. As part of the tradition, instead of singing "Happy Birthday" to that child (since he or she is still only one), the parents may sing something like "Smash it!"
What is the size of a smash cake?
The size of a smash cake can vary, but they are typically around 3-4 inches in diameter. This makes them the perfect size for little hands to hold and bash into pieces. If the cake is bigger than that, it is typically called a cupcake or regular cake.
Can you make this cake smaller or bigger?
You can choose to make your cake bigger or smaller, depending on what you want. You could even bake a sheet cake and cut it up into rounds to create the perfect smash cake size for your child.
What is a good way to measure this?
To find out how big of a smash cake you will need, consider taking the circumference of the infant's head around his or her forehead and cheeks. Keep in mind that infants have very different-sized heads, so you will have to take measurements from the infant himself or herself before making the actual cake. This way, you know exactly what size cakes you need to make!
What flavor to choose?
Smash cakes can be in the shape and color of any kind of cake. Most people choose a vanilla cake with white frosting for their smash cake, but you could also make it in the shape and design of another kind of cake (e.g. chocolate or red velvet). Whatever flavor/color you choose to do, this is one party detail that won't go unnoticed!
If no one bakes a smash cake for your child's birthday party, there are many bakeries that carry pre-made ones for purchase (some even offer personalized options - like writing the name of the child on top!). Or you could always make your own at home: it's easier than you think!
Are smash cakes available everywhere?
Smash cakes are becoming more and more popular, so they can be found in most major grocery stores. However, if you can't find them there, you can always order one online. Just make sure to order well in advance of your child's birthday party!
DIY smash cakes
If you want to make your own smash cake, it's very easy to do. All you need is a small round cake pan, some white frosting, and a few simple ingredients for the cake batter.
Simple vanilla
Here's a recipe for a vanilla smash cake that will serve 4-6 people:
Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup (50 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¾ cup whole milk
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease and flour one 6-inch round cake pan.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk, mixing until just combined after each addition. Pour batter into prepared cake pan.
- Bake cake for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Frost cake with your favorite frosting and enjoy!
Lemon smash
This cake will be yellow with lemon frosting.
Ingredients:
1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup (50 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¾ cup whole milk
Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease and flour one 6-inch round cake pan.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk, mixing until just combined after each addition. Stir in the lemon zest. Pour batter into prepared cake pan.
- Bake cake for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cake cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Frost cake with your favorite frosting and enjoy!
Carrot cake
This is obviously orange in color since it's carrot! This will be delicious too. It has cream cheese icing again so if you don't like it this might not be right for you!
Ingredients:
1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ salt
¼ cup (50grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1.5 cup sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Zest of 1 small orange
3/4 cups (105 grams) grated carrots
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease and flour one 6-inch round cake pan.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract and orange zest. Add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined after each addition. Stir in the carrots. Pour batter into prepared cake pan.
- Bake cake for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Frost cake with your favorite frosting and enjoy!
How to make a gluten-free smash cake?
If your baby has or is getting diagnosed with celiac disease you will probably want to make your own cake.
Ingredients:
1 cup (140 grams) superfine brown rice flour
2/3 cup (80 grams) superfine white rice flour
6 tablespoons (30 grams) tapioca starch
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ stick (6 tablespoons; 85 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 ½ cups milk (dairy or soy) or water softened for two minutes in the microwave. If using dairy milk, I recommend full fat! You can also use homemade almond milk.
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease and flour one 6-inch round cake pan or line with baking parchment.
- Sift together the superfine brown rice flour, superfine white rice flour, tapioca starch, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Alternately fold dry ingredients and/or milk into creamed mixture until completely combined; make sure you end with the dry ingredients! If your batter is too thick (after adding all the flour), add more milk (1 tablespoon at a time). You want the consistency of the batter to be like that of thick cake batter. Pour batter into prepared cake pan.
- Bake for around 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Frost and enjoy!
Frosting recipe
16 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted if lumpy
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch salt
3-4 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt until light and fluffy. Add enough milk or cream to achieve desired consistency.
- Frost cake as desired. Cake can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Enjoy!
Should you think about filling?
It's up to you - it depends on how moist the cake is. If your cake crumbles really easily just use some frosting on top, but if it's not too crumbly feel free to fill! The filling of the cake may be whatever you want: lemon curd, jam, frosting, chocolate ganache, etc.
Here is an example, a simple buttercream filling:
1 cup (225 grams) unsalted butter, 4 cups (500 grams) confectioners' sugar, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, and 3-4 tablespoons milk or cream mixed together until desired consistency is reached. This makes enough for a thin layer between the cake layers and on top.
If you're looking for something more substantial, try my Chocolate Hazelnut Cake which has a Nutella filling - yum!
Tips for smashing your smash cake:
- If you want to make sure your child's smash cake is extra messy, use frosting instead of whipped cream or icing.
- Some parents like to put a few drops of food coloring in the frosting to make it more fun and festive.
- If your child is hesitant to smash the cake, try giving them some spoons or forks to use instead.
- Be sure to have a camera ready to capture all the fun!
- And most importantly, have a lot of fun with your child on their special day!
Bottom line
Smash cakes are a really fun way to introduce your child to their birthday cake. It's also something they can smash into, without making too much of a mess! You can use any type of cake that you want and it's completely up to you whether or not you fill it with frosting, jam, lemon curd... Whatever you like the sound of! Have fun and enjoy celebrating your special little one turning 1.