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–+ servings
smash cake

Vanilla Smash Cake

A soft, baby-friendly smash cake by Ella Chef—perfect for your little one’s first birthday celebration. Made with gentle ingredients and topped with a naturally sweet frosting.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 1 small cake
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 290
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce as natural sweetener
  • ¼ cup honey or maple syrup optional for older babies
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Frosting
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream cold
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp honey or maple syrup optional sweetener
  • natural food coloring and fruits for decoration

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls
  • Hand Mixer
  • 6-inch Cake Pan
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 6-inch cake pan.
  2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat butter and applesauce until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients alternating with milk until smooth.
  5. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool completely before frosting.
  7. For frosting, whip cream and cream cheese together until fluffy. Add vanilla and honey to taste.
  8. Frost the cooled cake and decorate with natural colors or fresh fruits.

Nutrition

Calories: 290kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10g

Notes

This recipe avoids refined sugar, making it safe and gentle for babies’ first birthdays. Use natural fruit purées for color and sweetness.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!