A gluten free, allergy friendly, two layer smash cake is perfect for first birthday photos! This recipe is easy to make and delicious!
There are so many wonderful milestones in a child’s life. The first steps, the first haircut, the first cute little word that they speak.
One of the most memorable occasions is the first birthday. It’s a joy to celebrate the first year of life. It’s a wonderful day, whether you choose to celebrate with a large party, or a small family gathering.
Of course, another important detail of the first birthday party is the cake. A sweet little smash cake that your precious little one can play with and eat is the perfect photo opportunity during an allergy friendly birthday party.
This two layer birthday smash cake is gluten free and top 8 allergen free. If your little one has food allergies or intolerances (as so many children do, especially early in life), this is the cake to make! If your preference is chocolate, try this cute small gluten free chocolate cake that’s also allergy friendly.
And if you don’t have a first birthday to celebrate, but still want to make a mini layer cake for another occasion, you’ll love how this cake turns out! It’s the perfect size for a small gathering – this little cake serves six people.
Top Tip
It does make it easier to frost this birthday smash cake if you apply a thin layer of frosting (a crumb coat), then chill the cake for an hour or so before doing any piping.
Ingredient Notes
- Vegan Buttery Spread – We like Earth Balance Soy Free Vegan Buttery Spread for baking. You can also use a neutral tasting oil if you prefer.
- Gluten Free Flour Blend – Namaste Perfect Flour Blend works well in this cake recipe. If you have a different gluten free blend you like, that should also be fine. I don’t recommend coconut flour or almond flour in this recipe.
- Powdered Sugar – Wholesome Brand Powdered Sugar is vegan and corn free, so that’s what we like to use. You can use any brand that works for your dietary needs.
Special Equipment
Don’t be intimidated by the prospect of making this pretty layered cake. I kept it super simple by using two five-inch round pans, and I decorated this cake with a #4B tip. I piped a swirl design on the sides, and just did simple stars on top. It’s a very easy design, but it will look cute in all the photos you’ll be taking on the big day.
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Recipe
First Birthday Smash Cake (Gluten Free, Allergy Friendly).
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 over ripe banana
- ¾ cup organic cane sugar coconut sugar is ok
- ¼ cup vegan buttery spread melted
- 1 ¼ cup gluten free flour blend
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅓ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ⅜ cup water
For the frosting:
- 3 Tablespoons vegan buttery spread
- 4 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 Tablespoons non-dairy milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 5-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper circles.
- Place the banana in a bowl and mash it thoroughly. Add the melted vegan buttery spread, sugar, and vanilla and stir well.
- Add the gluten free flour blend, baking powder, baking soda, vinegar, and water, and stir until combined. If the batter feels too thick, add a bit more water.
- Divide the batter evenly among the two round cake pans.
- Bake the cakes at 350 degrees F for about 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cakes come out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 15 minutes before removing them from the pans and letting them cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once the cakes are fully cooled, make the frosting: Place the vegan buttery spread in a mixing bowl and beat until fluffy. Add a cup of the powdered sugar and a teaspoon or two of non-dairy milk.
- Mix on medium speed, alternating adding more sugar and more milk until the frosting is the consistency you desire.
- Place one layer on a cake stand and then spread frosting on the top, then stack the other layer on top. Spread a thin crumb coat all over the cake. Refrigerate for one hour.
- Fit a piping bag with a #4B tip. Spoon the frosting inside the bag and twist the top closed.
- 10. Pipe on the design you wish – for this cake, I did swirls on the sides and stars on top. Be creative and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Rachel Wesolowski
Can you use real butter instead of vegan buttery spread?
Rachel Wesolowski
Can it be made a few in advance and kept in the fridge to decorate the night before eating?
Kelly Roenicke
Yes, you can make this two days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator to keep it moist. That should work well!
Kelly Roenicke
Yes, you can do that!
Danielle
Hoping to make this for my daughter’s first birthday! Wondering if I could replace the vegan buttery spread with applesauce for both the cake and frosting? Also, have you tried this recipe as cupcakes? Thank you!
Melissa
This looks great! However, I looked in the ingredients for the flour you used, and my boy has an allergy to rice (as well as wheat, dairy, soy, almond, coconut, buckwheat). Do you have any other flour recommendations to use? I don’t even know where to start! Do you think oat flour would work?
Kelly Roenicke
Oat flour may be too delicate for cake layers. Here is a recipe for a rice free gluten free flour blend: https://chefjanetk.com/gluten-free-flour-without-rice/
Angi
Hi. Could you advise if I need to add xantham gum and if so how much?
My gluten free flour blend has rice flour, potato starch and maize flour.
Many thanks
Kelly Roenicke
You shouldn’t have to use xanthan gum for this recipe! I hope you enjoy it.
Lanai
Could you replace apple sauce for the banana? Baby has had a couple of big reactions to bananas.
Kelly Roenicke
That should work fine – just use a 1/2 cup of applesauce.
Jaylin Hightower
What vegan butter do you use ?
Kelly Roenicke
Earth Balance Soy Free Buttery Spread
gloria
I’m confused about how much water to put in does that mean 3 to 8 cups?
Rachel
I converted it to tablespoons when I made this. 3/8 cup is 6 tablespoons.
Kelly Roenicke
3/8 cup is 6 Tablespoons.
Rachel
My daughter LOVED this cake! I made this for my little girl’s first birthday party (without icing). I didn’t have 5 inch pans, so I just cut the layers to the size I needed. My mom and I ended up tasting the scrap pieces from where I cut the layers out, and we both thought it was sooo good!! It had a nice density and was moist and flavorful. I’m planning to make this again soon!
Amanda
When you make this do the banana pieces/hairs ever turn red once the cake is done baking?
Kelly Roenicke
I have not seen them turn red before!
Muntaha
My gluten free flour blend doesn’t have xanthan gum in it, do you know how much I would need to add to it for this recipe? Thank you!
Katie
I would love to try this! Is there anything I could use to substitute the banana? My baby cannot have bananas.
Jennifer
The smash cake recipe contains apple cider vinegar. Any substitutions? My grandson has many food allergies and intolerances with apples being one of them.
Kelly Roenicke
Any vinegar or lemon juice will work!
Beka Hermann
My soon to be 4 year old is requesting a white cake (he has severe dairy, egg, nut, soy, and sesame allergies) and this cake looks perfect! My only question is can I double this to make a larger cake? We will have about 25 people to feed. Thank you! You are my “go-to” when looking for new recipes to try. I can’t wait to make him this cake!
Kelly Roenicke
Yes, doubling it should be fine. The baking time may be a little longer, keep an eye on it! I hope you love it! :)
Alex
So excited to try this smash cake for my lils birthday. Do you recommend making it the day of or the day before? Either way, what is the best way to store it- room temp or in the refrigerator? Thanks!
Kelly Roenicke
You could definitely make the cakes the day before, and then frost it the day of! It’s fine to sit out for a while, but if you have leftover, store in the refrigerator!
Holli
My daughter has a milk protein allergy. If she has cow milk she gets a head to toe body rash and has seizures. Her birthday party is june 8th. I already ordered her birthday cake and smash cake. Her doctor says to try it….but im terrified because seeing my baby go threw that again is painful.
So how can i make chocolate smash cake with no milk in it. She can’t have the protein.
Plus im confused on what she can have because almost everything has milk protein in it.
Im just a worried mom.
Jessica
Enjoy Life brand chocolate chips are dairy free (both of my babies have a severe dairy protein intolerance so I can’t eat even traces of dairy either).
Karen
Hello dear, it is safe to use vinegar in the cake for my 1 year old?
And is coconut milk allergy free?
My lo is with cow milk allergy so am afraid she might have allergy to other food items.
Thx xx
Kelly Roenicke
Coconut milk isn’t dairy, but if you aren’t sure, you can ask your doctor if it is safe for your child. Vinegar should not be a problem, as far as I know.
Kylee
Can I use AP flour instead?
Kelly Roenicke
Yes you can!
Brittany Feus
Is this soy free too?
Kelly Roenicke
Yes, just make sure to use a soy free vegan buttery spread like Earth Balance Soy Free.
Krystal
What would be the measurements if making in a 6inch cake pan?
Kelly Roenicke
I don’t know that you would need to change the amount…the layers wouldn’t be quite as thick though. Or you could just increase the recipe very slightly.
Amanda
Hi! I was wondering if you could substitute almond flour for the gluten free flour?
Thank you!
Kelly Roenicke
That might work, but the cake may be very dense. If you try it, let me know!
Melissa
How much cocoa powder would you recommend to make this a chocolate cake?