Overhead view of a rustic kitchen with a 6-inch pink smash cake adorned with strawberries and edible flowers on a white ceramic stand, surrounded by baking ingredients in soft focus, illuminated by warm natural sunlight.

BERRY FIRST BIRTHDAY CAKE: A DELIGHTFUL SMASH CAKE CELEBRATION

Key Info

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

Servings: 4-6 babies

Difficulty: Moderate

Dietary: Vegetarian, Low Sugar Option

Equipment Needed

  • 6-inch round cake pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer
  • Measuring cups
  • Offset spatula (optional)
  • Piping bag (optional)

Ingredients

Cake Batter
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1.5 cups mashed bananas (3-4 overripe)
  • 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries
  • 1/3 cup neutral oil
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Whipped Cream Frosting
  • 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
  • 2 drops pink food coloring
  • 8-10 fresh strawberries for decoration

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
  2. Prepare cake pan:

    • Grease pan
    • Line with parchment paper
  3. Mix dry ingredients:

    • Combine flour
    • Baking powder
    • Baking soda
    • Crushed freeze-dried strawberries
  4. Mix wet ingredients separately:

    • Mashed bananas
    • Applesauce
    • Oil
    • Eggs
    • Vanilla extract
  5. Combine wet and dry ingredients:

    • Fold gently
    • Do NOT overmix
    • Aim for smooth, consistent batter
  6. Bake the cake:

    • Pour batter into prepared pan
    • Smooth top with spatula
    • Bake 20-25 minutes
    • Check doneness with skewer test
  7. Cool completely:

    • Remove from pan
    • Let rest 30-45 minutes
  8. Prepare whipped cream:

    • Whip cream to stiff peaks
    • Add optional sugar
    • Add food coloring if desired
  9. Decorate cake:

    • Spread whipped cream evenly
    • Use offset spatula for smooth finish
    • Arrange fresh strawberries
    • Add optional edible flowers

Close-up of a rustic kitchen counter featuring baking ingredients like overripe bananas, fresh strawberries, and flour, illuminated by natural sunlight. The scene includes measuring cups, mixing bowls, and a vintage hand mixer, with a soft focus on freeze-dried strawberries in a ceramic bowl, conveying a warm, homey atmosphere.

Crucial Tips

  • Mash bananas thoroughly
  • Don’t overmix batter
  • Cool cake completely before frosting
  • Use cold cream for maximum volume

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Best consumed within 24 hours
  • Keep covered

Variations

  • Vegan: Use flax eggs
  • Gluten-free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour
  • Sugar-free: Omit added sugar
  • Try different berry combinations

Common Mistakes

  • Overmixing batter
  • Not cooling cake fully
  • Using wet fruit that makes frosting runny

Dietary Notes

  • Contains eggs and dairy
  • Can be adapted for various dietary needs
  • Naturally sweetened with fruit

Photoshoot Ready

  • Perfect for first birthday memories
  • Adorable smash cake experience
  • Naturally beautiful decorations

Overhead view of a 6-inch round birthday smash cake on a white ceramic stand, featuring pink-tinted whipped cream frosting, a crown of fresh strawberries, and scattered edible flowers, set against a softly blurred vintage tea party background.

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