Make Baby’s 1st Birthday Memorable with DIY Smash Cake

What’s a smash cake? It’s a special baby-size cake that your little one can dive in to and go crazy.

When my oldest son turned one year old, we held a birthday party at our house with lots of friends and family.

There was a torrential downpour so we were all trapped inside but laughed about the craziness of having no furniture yet (we had just moved) and how thankful I was to currently have an “open” floor plan considering how many kids were running all over the place.

Make Baby's 1st Birthday Memorable with DIY Smash Cake | Mommy Evolution

What I remember most about Vman’s first birthday party, however, was his birthday cake.

Not just the cake but about him eating the cake. 

Betty Crocker surveyed moms and found that the most memorable part of a first birthday party is the birthday cake itself. I would have to agree.

Before his first birthday, Vman hadn’t even had a cookie.

So when I presented him with a piece of chocolate cake, he gingerly tasted it.

Then his brain registered how amazing his cake tasted and he went to town! 

He ate every last morsel, and then picked up the plate and started licking it clean.

Those are still some of my favorite pictures!

To me, the cake is what I think about the most when I think of Vman’s birthday.

At the time, I just plopped down a slice of cake in front of him, but if you want to make your baby’s first birthday even more special, go the extra step and make a smash cake.

What’s a smash cake?

It’s a special baby-size cake that your little one can dive in to and go crazy.

To help make the moment extra special with a homemade touch.

Make Baby's 1st Birthday Memorable with DIY Smash Cake | Mommy Evolution

My second son is turning five later this month.

I was so inspired I decided to make him his own mini cake.

I made their confetti cake, but I decided to made a single layer cake.

My child’s favorite cake flavor is chocolate with vanilla frosting so I used their chocolate fudge mix.

Another cute idea for baby’s first birthday are wild one cupcakes.

Make Baby’s 1st Birthday Memorable with DIY Smash Cake

My child enjoyed the cake for himself and the rest of the family ate the cupcakes I made along with it using the rest of the batter from the recipe.

Make Baby's 1st Birthday Memorable with DIY Smash Cake | Mommy Evolution

Tell Me: What do you remember most about your little one’s first birthday? Did you let them smash their cake or did you try to keep it clean?

24 Comments

    1. Really, if we weren’t grown ups, wouldn’t we want our own smash cake 😉

  1. My son is only 7-months-old right now, but I can’t wait to do this when he turns one!

    1. Ooo. Have LOTS of fun making a smash cake! The photos make it all worth it. 🙂

  2. My son’s first birthday is coming up in February. I am making a smash cake and we will see if he likes it!

    1. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a baby turn up their nose at cake. Well, at least not in my sugar-happy family 🙂

  3. This is such a cute idea! The little cake is adorable! My grandson loved the frosting on his first cake! Thanks for linking up to Friendship Friday!

    1. My sons still just lick the frosting off of cupcakes sometimes. 🙂

    1. Thanks, Scott. It was fun making the cake… and eating it 🙂

  4. Happy 1st bday to your little man!!! I love the idea of a smash cake!! You are my link up neighbour this week. Have a good one!

  5. My oldest’s first birthday cake was one I worked really hard on so no smashing here! Maybe I’ll let the youngest smash one up. I like the easy way to create a #1 cake, thanks!

  6. My mom still has a picture of me like this.

    1. These are some of my all-time favorite pictures… and I think they will always remain that way 🙂

  7. Ivan McKinnon says:

    Such a great idea. I love how you gingerly introduced your baby to sweets.

  8. My lil one isn’t here (he will be soon!) we are already planning his bd. He will most likely have a mini cake all to himself, a “smash cake”.

  9. My grandma always made a cake just for her grandbabies in a metal cereal bowl. Mix, pour in bowl and bake it and when cool enough turn over and get it out and decorate however you want for the birthday baby.

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