Healthy No Sugar Smash Cake (For Baby's 1st Birthday)
Celebrating a child's first birthday is a cherished milestone. For Olive's first birthday, I wanted to create a tradition we could carry on for years to come, something she could enjoy and remember forever. Baking her birthday cake every year seemed like the perfect way to celebrate each birthday moving forward!
The night before Olive turned one, we started our little tradition together. Granted, she can't speak yet so mama chose the flavor of the cake :) but next year, she'll get to pick the flavor and help with the mixing!
It truly was a special moment making this cake with Olive. I will treasure the photos we took forever. Creating lasting memories doesn't require a lavish party or a lot of money. Sometimes, the simplest gestures, like baking a cake together, can become the most cherished moments between you and your little one.
Why This Smash Cake is Perfect for Your Baby's First Birthday
When it came to Olive's smash cake, I wanted something made with wholesome ingredients like ripe bananas, Greek yogurt, and fresh fruit. This recipe is free of refined sugar, creating a delicious cross between banana bread and a moist cake. Here's what makes this recipe fantastic:
Perfect for Beginner Bakers: It uses readily available pantry staples like rolled oats, and requires no fancy equipment—a simple mixing bowl and whisk are all you need! However, for those who are looking to graduate to baking like a pro, a stand mixer can be a great option!
Healthy and Delicious: Packed with wholesome ingredients like whole grains and fresh fruit, this cake is a win-win for taste and nutrition.
Great for Babies: This recipe is perfect for babies who haven't yet been introduced to refined sugar.
The "You Are Special Today" Plate
My mom had the most heartwarming idea! She gifted Olive a special plate, a vibrant cherry red plate reserved for celebrating special occasions. This "You Are Special Today" plate will be used for all future birthdays, achievements, or even just those days when someone needs a little pick-me-up. It's a wonderful way to show someone they're loved and appreciated.
Here's the plate from Amazon! This sturdy, high-quality plate will be a fixture in our home for celebrating life's big moments.
More Kid-Friendly Recipes!
Looking for more delicious and nutritious recipes to add to your little one's menu? Look no further! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Chickpea Burgers: These vegetarian burgers are perfect for baby-led weaning!
Chickpea Tuna Salad: A lighter take on the classic tuna salad, perfect for sandwiches or wraps.
Persian Chicken Bites: Marinated chicken bites perfect for dipping or kebabs!
Sweet Potato Fries: A fun and healthy alternative to traditional fries – perfect for the air fryer!
3-Ingredient Chicken Nuggets: These air-fried nuggets are a lifesaver on busy weeknights!
Pizza Rolls in the Air Fryer: Turn pizza night into a fun finger food adventure!
Air Fryer French Toast Sticks: A delicious and easy breakfast or snack option!
Egg Bites: These protein-packed bites are perfect for on-the-go mornings!
Healthy No Sugar Birthday Smash Cake Recipe
This recipe yields a single, perfect-sized cake for a baby's first birthday smash cake celebration. It can easily be doubled if you'd like to make a larger cake for party guests.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats, pulsed into oat flour (or 2 cups oat flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients:
1 cup mashed banana (about 3 ripe bananas)
3/4 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
2 eggs, whisked
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup avocado oil (or olive oil, or coconut oil)
8 oz fresh raspberries (rinsed and dried)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with butter, oil, or line it with parchment paper.
In a blender or food processor, pulse the rolled oats until they turn into a flour-like consistency. This should take about 30 seconds to 1 minute, depending on your blender or food processor. Alternatively, you can use store-bought oat flour.
In a large bowl, whisk together the oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Add in the Greek yogurt, whisked eggs, vanilla extract, and avocado oil. Mix well until combined using a stand mixer, such as the KitchenAid Stand Mixer.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix! The batter will be thick.
Gently fold in the fresh raspberries.
Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan and spread it evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cake has cooled, you can frost it with plain full-fat Greek yogurt and decorate with rainbow sprinkles if desired.
Serve and enjoy your no sugar smash cake!
Frosting Options:
While delicious on its own, you can frost the cake for a more celebratory look. Here are a few healthy frosting options:
Greek yogurt frosting: Simple and protein-packed, made with plain Greek yogurt and a touch of honey or pure maple syrup.
Whipped cream: Fresh, homemade whipped cream adds a light and fluffy topping that pairs perfectly with the cake.
Cream cheese frosting: For a classic, tangy-sweet option, mix softened cream cheese with a little maple syrup or honey and a splash of vanilla extract.
Easy Vegan Coconut Whipped Cream: For a dairy-free option, try my Easy Vegan Coconut Cream Recipe. It's light, fluffy, and perfectly complements the cake! Here's the recipe to get you started!
Easy Vegan Coconut Whipped Cream Recipe
Tips:
For a perfectly ripe banana, the peel should have brown spots. These brown spots indicate the banana is sweeter and easier to mash.
If your bananas are not quite ripe, you can ripen them quickly by placing them in a brown paper bag with an apple or pear. The ethylene gas emitted by the apple or pear will help to ripen the bananas.
Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting or decorating.
FAQs
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Absolutely! This recipe is written with oat flour, but you can experiment with other options depending on your dietary needs. Here are a few ideas:
Gluten-free flour blend: Many grocery stores offer pre-made blends. Choose one with a variety of flours for best results.
Almond flour: Perfect for those following a gluten-free diet, but keep in mind it can be denser than oat flour, so adjust the baking time if needed.
White whole wheat flour: Adds a slightly nutty flavor and provides a healthy alternative to all-purpose flour.
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Not a problem! You can still enjoy a naturally sweet cake with a little help from applesauce! use a 1:1 ratio of applesauce in place of the bananas!
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Here are some other ideas to frost your cake:
Whipped cream: Fresh, homemade whipped cream adds a light and fluffy topping that pairs perfectly with the cake.
Mashed Fruit Topping: For a naturally sweet and refreshing option, mash your favorite fruits like berries or mango. A squeeze of lemon juice can brighten up the flavor.
Nut Butter Swirl: Spread a layer of your favorite nut butter, like almond, peanut, or cashew, over the cooled cake before adding another layer of frosting or whipped cream for a unique and flavorful twist.
Coconut whipped cream: I have a recipe on my site and it’s so easy to make! -
This cake is best enjoyed within 2-3 days of baking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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Yes! Once the cake has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
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This recipe is easily adapted into a layer cake for a more traditional cake look. Double the recipe and use two 6-inch cake pans. You'll need to adjust the baking time slightly, so keep an eye on the cake during the last few minutes. Once the layers are cool, frost them with your chosen frosting and decorate with fresh berries or freeze-dried fruit! (Greek yogurt frosting is my favorite for this recipe!)
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Absolutely, this recipe is easily customizable! You can use oat flour, almond flour, or even gluten-free flour depending on your needs.
This healthy smash cake recipe is great for a baby's first birthday cake! It's free of refined sugars, added sugar and uses wholesome ingredients like mashed banana and Greek yogurt. I hope this recipe helps you create a memorable 1st birthday celebration for your little one!
P.S. Before you go, take a moment to enjoy this adorable photo of Olive cupcakes I made below!
Healthy No Sugar Birthday Smash Cake
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup plain full fat Greek yogurt
- 1 cup mashed banana (about 3 bananas)
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 oz raspberries, washed and dried
- 1/4 cup avocado oil (swap for olive oil or coconut oil)
- 2 cups rolled oats, pulsed to make oat flour (or use oat flour from the start)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with butter, oil, or line it with parchment paper.
- In a blender, pulse rolled oats until they turn into flour-like consistency. Combine the oat flour with baking powder, baking soda, and ground cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In another bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Add in the Greek yogurt, whisked eggs, vanilla extract and avocado oil. Mix well until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Finally add the raspberries & mix in gently.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cake has cooled, you can frost it with plain full-fat Greek yogurt and decorate with rainbow sprinkles if desired.
- Serve and enjoy your no sugar smash cake!
