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Home » Desserts » First Birthday Smash Cake (Gluten Free, Allergy Friendly).

First Birthday Smash Cake (Gluten Free, Allergy Friendly).

Jul 12, 2017 · Modified: Mar 2, 2021 by Kelly Roenicke · 33 Comments

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baby smash cake recipe

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by American Greetings. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A gluten free, allergy friendly, two layer smash cake is perfect for first birthday photos! This recipe is easy to make and delicious!

allergy friendly gluten free smash cake with candles in the background

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. Each and every one of those moments is special.

One of the most memorable occasions is the first birthday. Oh, how we love to celebrate our little one’s first year of life! It’s a wonderful day, whether you choose to celebrate with a large party, or a small family gathering.

The first birthday feels so momentous. You’ve made it! You and your baby have made it through the sleepless nights, the teething, the baby-proofing, and all the other ups and downs of the first year. You’ve gotten to know this special little person, and have fallen in love with every sweet smile and giggle, with every hug and snuggle.

One way to remember the first birthday is with a special birthday card. I know that my children’s baby books are full of the heartfelt cards from family – these cards are beautiful reminders of how much they are loved.

allergy friendly smash cake

It’s easy to find wonderful cards for a first birthday or any birthday when you take a few minutes to shop the card section at your local Target store. There are so many cute and colorful cards that are just right for kids. And if it’s an older child or adult you’re shopping for, Target has the perfect card for them, too.

It can be easy to forget to purchase a greeting card, but writing out your wishes and thoughts in a birthday card takes only a few minutes, but the sentiments last a lifetime, especially when those cards are saved in a baby book, and the child can look back on them years later.

gluten free smash cake

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 the 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! A sweet little smash cake is just right for a first birthday photo opportunity. If your preference is chocolate, try this cute small gluten free chocolate cake that’s also allergy friendly.

dairy free gluten free smash cake with a blue candle

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.

frosted smash cake on a crystal cake stand

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.

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.

slice of gluten free banana smash cake with buttercream

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

allergy friendly gluten free smash cake
5 from 4 votes
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First Birthday Smash Cake (Gluten Free, Allergy Friendly).

A gluten free, allergy friendly, two layer smash cake is the perfect way to celebrate your little one's first birthday!

Course Dessert
Cuisine gluten free, vegan.
Keyword first birthday party, smash cake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 43 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 213 kcal
Author Kelly Roenicke

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
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 5-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper circles.
  2. Place the banana in a bowl and mash it thoroughly. Add the melted vegan buttery spread, sugar, and vanilla and stir well.
  3. 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.
  4. Divide the batter evenly among the two round cake pans.
  5. Bake the cakes at 350 degrees 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Mix on medium speed, alternating adding more sugar and more milk until the frosting is the consistency you desire.
  8. 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.
  9. Fit a piping bag with a #4B tip. Spoon the frosting inside the bag and twist the top closed.
  10. 10. Pipe on the design you wish – for this cake, I did swirls on the sides and stars on top. Be creative and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
First Birthday Smash Cake (Gluten Free, Allergy Friendly).
Amount Per Serving
Calories 213 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Sodium 246mg11%
Potassium 99mg3%
Carbohydrates 29g10%
Sugar 27g30%
Vitamin A 650IU13%
Vitamin C 1.7mg2%
Calcium 16mg2%
Iron 0.1mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Have fun celebrating with this sweet little cake! And don’t forget to grab the perfect, thoughtful birthday card at Target so you can share your birthday wishes!

Check out the American Greetings Pinterest page for more greeting card inspiration!

 

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Filed Under: Dairy Free, Desserts, food, Food Allergies, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Recipes, Sweets, Vegan Tagged With: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Fish Free, Garlic Free, Gluten Free, Legume Free, Mustard Free, Nightshade Free, Onion Free, Peanut Free, Sesame Free, Shellfish Free, Soy Free, Tree Nut Free

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kelly Roenicke
Kelly Roenicke
Mom to two boys with food allergies and sensitivities, Kelly is passionate about allergy friendly cooking and baking. She believes that you can enjoy amazing, easy recipes even when cooking for multiple food allergies.
Kelly Roenicke
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angi

    February 04, 2022 at 1:35 am

    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

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      February 19, 2022 at 8:46 pm

      You shouldn’t have to use xanthan gum for this recipe! I hope you enjoy it.

      Reply
  2. Lanai

    July 14, 2021 at 3:36 am

    Could you replace apple sauce for the banana? Baby has had a couple of big reactions to bananas.

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      July 15, 2021 at 8:38 pm

      That should work fine – just use a 1/2 cup of applesauce.

      Reply
      • Jaylin Hightower

        December 05, 2021 at 4:17 pm

        What vegan butter do you use ?

        Reply
        • Kelly Roenicke

          December 11, 2021 at 8:49 pm

          Earth Balance Soy Free Buttery Spread

          Reply
  3. gloria

    February 14, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    I’m confused about how much water to put in does that mean 3 to 8 cups?

    Reply
    • Rachel

      February 14, 2021 at 6:26 pm

      5 stars
      I converted it to tablespoons when I made this. 3/8 cup is 6 tablespoons.

      Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      March 28, 2021 at 3:27 pm

      3/8 cup is 6 Tablespoons.

      Reply
  4. Rachel

    December 07, 2020 at 2:16 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  5. Amanda

    October 21, 2020 at 10:11 pm

    When you make this do the banana pieces/hairs ever turn red once the cake is done baking?

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      October 23, 2020 at 11:10 am

      I have not seen them turn red before!

      Reply
  6. Muntaha

    April 19, 2020 at 7:38 pm

    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!

    Reply
  7. Katie

    July 13, 2019 at 2:15 am

    I would love to try this! Is there anything I could use to substitute the banana? My baby cannot have bananas.

    Reply
  8. Jennifer

    June 30, 2019 at 12:12 pm

    The smash cake recipe contains apple cider vinegar. Any substitutions? My grandson has many food allergies and intolerances with apples being one of them.

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      July 10, 2019 at 2:21 pm

      Any vinegar or lemon juice will work!

      Reply
  9. Beka Hermann

    January 02, 2019 at 10:00 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      January 08, 2019 at 9:37 pm

      Yes, doubling it should be fine. The baking time may be a little longer, keep an eye on it! I hope you love it! :)

      Reply
  10. Alex

    September 08, 2018 at 5:59 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      September 22, 2018 at 8:28 am

      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!

      Reply
  11. Holli

    May 12, 2018 at 10:33 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Jessica

      June 09, 2018 at 6:35 pm

      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).

      Reply
  12. Karen

    May 08, 2018 at 12:30 am

    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

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      May 11, 2018 at 11:50 am

      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.

      Reply
  13. Kylee

    February 15, 2018 at 9:29 pm

    Can I use AP flour instead?

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      February 23, 2018 at 8:25 pm

      Yes you can!

      Reply
  14. Brittany Feus

    January 28, 2018 at 4:08 pm

    Is this soy free too?

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      January 31, 2018 at 11:39 am

      Yes, just make sure to use a soy free vegan buttery spread like Earth Balance Soy Free.

      Reply
  15. Krystal

    December 05, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    What would be the measurements if making in a 6inch cake pan?

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      December 06, 2017 at 9:35 am

      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.

      Reply
  16. Amanda

    October 30, 2017 at 12:31 am

    5 stars
    Hi! I was wondering if you could substitute almond flour for the gluten free flour?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kelly Roenicke

      November 13, 2017 at 12:06 am

      That might work, but the cake may be very dense. If you try it, let me know!

      Reply
  17. Melissa

    August 07, 2017 at 11:48 am

    How much cocoa powder would you recommend to make this a chocolate cake?

    Reply

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