Find the best first birthday cakes for baby to enjoy at a first birthday party, as a smash cake, or at a family party. These healthy recipes are made without added sugars, and have easy methods and delicious flavors.
I love baking for babies and toddlers, especially when it’s for their big first birthday. And this list includes my best easy first birthday cakes that are designed to be easy for baby to eat and easy for you to bake.
You’ll find kids birthday cakes including smash cake recipes, layer cake recipes, fruit-flavored cakes, cakes made without added sugar, cakes made without refined sugar, and more so you can choose the one that your baby will love.
Plus, find my favorite frostings to use to finish each cake, with options including Yogurt Frosting, Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting, Cream Cheese Frosting, and more.
(You may also like First Birthday Party Ideas, Toddler Learning Towers, my list of Baking Essentials (which includes dye-free sprinkles), and 1-Year-Old Recipes.)
Table of Contents
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One-Year-Old Birthday Cake
It’s everything I want in a cake for a toddler: simple method, accessible ingredients, no added sugar, and tastes seriously delicious. Make sure to use fresh baking powder and baking soda in each cake recipe.
First Birthday Smash Cake
This Vanilla Oat Smash Cake with Yogurt Frosting is an easy and super special first birthday cake. It’s moist, flavorful, and so yummy—and has the creamiest yogurt frosting. The dry ingredients start with a base of oat flour, so it’s easy to make gluten-free.
Blueberry Smash Cake
Made with fresh blueberries, this First Birthday Smash Cake recipe is easy, allergy-friendly, and made without added sugar. I like to make this in round cake pans and line the bottom with parchment paper.
Sweet Potato Baby Cake
With an easy stir-together method and a naturally sweet flavor, this delicious baby cake is the perfect first birthday cake, a festive holiday dessert, or a treat to share on a day that needs it! You can even make it ahead and store in an airtight container.
Healthy Apple Cake
It’s SO easy to make in one bowl, can be made ahead, and has a tangy yogurt frosting. This was the first birthday cake I made when my son turned 1, so it holds a special place in my heart.
Healthy Banana Cake
Mix up a simple batter bursting with ripe banana, whole grains, and flavor for a healthy Banana Cake to celebrate a first birthday or special event.
Vegan Vanilla Cake
With simple pantry staples, a no-fuss method, and the most tender texture, this just-sweet-enough cake is simply delicious. It’s perfect to make in 6-inch pans as a baby cake.
Strawberry Cake
The ingredients are straightforward, there are fresh berries right in the batter of the cake, and the combination of the strawberry flavor with the Strawberry Cream Cheese is so delicious.
Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
With fresh strawberry puree right in the batter, these berry cupcakes are a delicious option for a first birthday cake.
Easy Banana Cupcakes
This first birthday cake recipe is perfect for a baby who loves bananas. Or anyone who just wants cupcakes to share with a crowd on a special day. It starts with a base of flavorful mashed bananas.
Frequently Asked Questions
A baby can eat any soft, moist cake on their first birthday. Many families opt for a naturally sweetened cake, like the fruit options here. Serve with water or milk as desired.
The best flavor cake for a 1 year old is a flavor that you know or suspect they will like, such as a favorite fruit.
Bake the cakes as directed and let cool fully on a wire rack. Place onto a plate and wrap with plastic wrap and stash in the fridge until ready to frost.
Best Tips for Success
- Follow the storage and make-ahead tips in each first birthday cake recipe.
- Try these kids birthday cake recipes with any of my favorite frosting recipes including Greek Yogurt Frosting, Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting, Cream Cheese Frosting, and Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting.
- For the smoothest frosting, let the cream cheese sit at room temperature so it softens.
- Maple syrup and honey (for kids over age 1) can often be used interchangeably as sweeteners in first birthday cakes.
- Bake each cake until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out cleanly.
- Gluten-free all purpose flour, like the one from King Arthur Flour, is a good option to make any of these cakes gluten-free.
- Know that many babies don’t want anything to do with a smash cake, and many do, so however your baby reacts on their big day is normal.
- To prepare for the next phase, find my top kid-friendly recipes, toddler breakfast ideas, one year old lunches, one-year-old feeding schedules, and what to do when your toddler is not eating.
- Birthday Cake Muffins and Funfetti Pancakes are fun birthday breakfast ideas!
