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!
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.
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, and that’s why I love the card section at Target. I’m at Target all the time…it’s so convenient to cruise through the card aisle and grab a greeting card that’s a perfect fit for the person I’m shopping for.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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
- 1/3 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 3/8 cup water
For the frosting:
- 3 Tablespoons vegan buttery spread
- 4 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 Tablespoons non-dairy milk
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 5-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper circles.
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Place the banana in a bowl and mash it thoroughly. Add the melted vegan buttery spread, sugar, and vanilla and stir well.
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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.
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Divide the batter evenly among the two round cake pans.
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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.
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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.
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Mix on medium speed, alternating adding more sugar and more milk until the frosting is the consistency you desire.
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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.
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Fit a piping bag with a #4B tip. Spoon the frosting inside the bag and twist the top closed.
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10. Pipe on the design you wish – for this cake, I did swirls on the sides and stars on top. Be creative and enjoy!
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!
I’m confused about how much water to put in does that mean 3 to 8 cups?
I converted it to tablespoons when I made this. 3/8 cup is 6 tablespoons.
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!
When you make this do the banana pieces/hairs ever turn red once the cake is done baking?
I have not seen them turn red before!
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!
I would love to try this! Is there anything I could use to substitute the banana? My baby cannot have bananas.
The smash cake recipe contains apple cider vinegar. Any substitutions? My grandson has many food allergies and intolerances with apples being one of them.
Any vinegar or lemon juice will work!
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!
Yes, doubling it should be fine. The baking time may be a little longer, keep an eye on it! I hope you love it! :)
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!
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!
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.
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).
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
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.
Can I use AP flour instead?
Yes you can!
Is this soy free too?
Yes, just make sure to use a soy free vegan buttery spread like Earth Balance Soy Free.
What would be the measurements if making in a 6inch cake pan?
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.
Hi! I was wondering if you could substitute almond flour for the gluten free flour?
Thank you!
That might work, but the cake may be very dense. If you try it, let me know!
How much cocoa powder would you recommend to make this a chocolate cake?