First Birthday Cake Smash Cake Tutorial… An easy how to!

Baking, First Birthday, Parenting, Recipes
How to make a cake smash cake - 1st birthday cake, icing, cake smash photoshoot. A quick easy to make cake smash cake. New Mummy Blog
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I had an image in my head of the cake I wanted to make for H’s 1st birthday cake smash cake, and, after making a few diversions, a last minute change made it all come together.


To me a 1st birthday smash cake should have height and soft icing on the top. I originally used the recipe below, but realised it wasn’t tall enough so made another cake to sit on top. Perhaps with a 6″ cake pan it would have been fine, but I only have an 8″ pan.

 

1st birthday smash cake tutorial- an easy how to!

So what did I do?

I made the recipe below twice, making one 8″ cake each time… If you’re using a 6″ tin you might only need to do this once.

1. Cake Smash Recipe:

175g self raising flour

175g caster sugar

175g unsalted butter a bit melted

5g baking powder

3 eggs

Flavouring of choice (I used vanilla)
 

2. Method:

Throw it all in the mixer and mix starting on lower speed ramping up to quick at the end.

Preheat the oven to 150C (fan) (generally around 180 for none fan).

Use the end of the butter wrapper to grease the cake tin.

Pop the cake in for 30-40 minutes – just check with a knife if it’s done (pop the knife in and if it comes out clean it’s done)… If not give it another 5-10 minutes then check again. If you think the top is starting to burn turn the oven down to 130C (fan oven, possibly around 150C for non fan).

Let the cakes cool.

  
3. Building:

Melt some jam (I just popped a big rounded table spoon of jam in a bowl into the microwave for 20 seconds)

Smother the jam on the flatter cake (or cut the top if need be), and pop the other cake on top.

 
4. Icing:

I wanted to almost give a giant cup cake impression, so put some icing sugar on the work top and rolling pin and I rolled out some bright yellow icing (most supermarkets sell this, mine came from Hobbycraft) to wrap around the sides. I just overlapped the top slightly in places, and trimmed the bits that overlapped the board.

Then I used some Asda icing in a tub, whipped it up using a fork, and put dollops on the cake (thanks to my mum for suggesting this technique!). I left a little back so I could finish off any gaps and even out the sides.

I’d recommend putting icing blobs around near the edge and one big blog in middle. Then get a bowl of hot water and stick your fork in it (this stops the icing sticking and gives a peaked finish), and use the fork to join your blobs. Start at the back so you get the hang of it first!!! Try to link them up towards the middle blob too. Just use small swipes with your fork to get the look I did.

I thought mine was lacking something so I added a ribbon round it, then cut the wick off the 1 candle and stuck it to the front.

 

Et voila one 1st birthday smash cake!!

First birthday cake smash cake

 

Let’s just say a cake smash is one crazy experience, and weird for baby too! Baby H didn’t really smash it she stuck her fingers in a bit and we also used a spoon to break it up a bit. So this is what it looked like after…

 

One cake ready to be smashed + a changing bag FULL of baby wipes + one photographer = an unsure baby!! (= fingers dipped in icing + no cake eaten!)

 

Of course, this had its advantages, we got to try some!!!!

And here is a nice cross-section through, see how tall it is!! It was yummy by the way ?

 If anyone needs cake, it’s all at my house, seriously this thing is huge!

Next week check out how to make a Hey Duggee cake!

 
Lynne x

Disclaimer: this worked for me, it may not be foolproof and every oven is different…. As is every mixer so, I hope this has provided you with some inspiration, and follow this recipe at your own risk, I won’t be help responsible!!!

 

*** Check out my other recipes too! ***

 

 

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19 Comments

  • Reply
    Sara at Handy Herbs
    November 29, 2015 at 11:27 am

    Wow -sounds like a fun cake! Looked very impressive too! Yum! Thanks for sharing #HowToSundays
    Sara at Handy Herbs recently posted…Herbs help Children explore Science & NatureMy Profile

  • Reply
    Coombe Mill - Fiona
    November 29, 2015 at 11:56 am

    what a fab cake, it looks like it was delicious!

  • Reply
    OneDad3Girls
    November 29, 2015 at 2:33 pm

    Ooo this looks and sounds like and amazing cake. I hope it was a good day

    Thank you for linking up
    OneDad3Girls recently posted…#MySundayPhoto – Chilly MorningsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Baby Isabella
    November 29, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    That’s one yummy looking cake! Hope the smash worked out well! #MySundayPhoto x
    Baby Isabella recently posted…Silent Sunday 29.11.15My Profile

  • Reply
    Jenny Eaves
    November 29, 2015 at 4:22 pm

    Hee hee, love the disclaimer! I always worry about that when I post recipes too. The cake looks fab, I’m not sure whether my two would have properly smashed it either, but still looks like fun.
    Thanks so much for linking up to #HowtoSunday 🙂 x
    Jenny Eaves recently posted…How to Sunday Linky #10My Profile

  • Reply
    Jenny (Midwife and Life)
    November 30, 2015 at 2:14 pm

    Never heard of a cake smash cake before! It’s going on my bucket list!
    Jenny (Midwife and Life) recently posted…Eco-friendly Cleaning with Ecoegg PLUS an offer you can’t miss!My Profile

  • Reply
    The Speed Bump
    November 30, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    Looks fab! Cake smashes look brilliant… reckon I can get away with one for my 22nd next year? 😉 #KCACOLS
    The Speed Bump recently posted…Advice For Students | Personal StatementsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Cheryl @ ReimerandRuby
    November 30, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    It looks yummy with that icing on top… Have not tried a cake smash with my two kids, I’m just too worried with the mess afterwards and I would rather eat the cake instead, lol #TheBabyFormula
    Cheryl @ ReimerandRuby recently posted…Letters from Santa – Review and GiveawayMy Profile

  • Reply
    Smallstuffandme
    November 30, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    The cake looks fabulous! Well done you! What an informative post, the height of the cake and various icing techniques just wouldn’t occur to me!
    Smallstuffandme recently posted…3 Story Books To Tackle Toddler TroublesMy Profile

  • Reply
    Rachel (Lifeofmyfamilyandme.com)
    December 1, 2015 at 10:52 pm

    I have never heard of a smash cake before! I want to try making this though! Thank you for sharing 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday
    Rachel (Lifeofmyfamilyandme.com) recently posted…Fitness as a beginnerMy Profile

  • Reply
    Charlotte
    December 2, 2015 at 11:25 am

    This looks so yummy I would probably cry if it got smashed !! haha great recipe though I think I will give it a go! #KCACOLS
    Charlotte recently posted…Homemade Christmas Gift Vouchers + Free PrintablesMy Profile

  • Reply
    El
    December 3, 2015 at 9:59 am

    What a great idea!! Looks great! #brilliantblogposts
    El recently posted…A bit of Everything Week 8My Profile

  • Reply
    Kat @ Eat.Live.Love
    December 3, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    I love cake smash shoots! They make sure lovely photo memories of the first birthday. I bet your little one loves it x #coolmumclub
    Kat @ Eat.Live.Love recently posted…A Gorgeous Gift Idea For A Baby Girl’s First ChristmasMy Profile

  • Reply
    simplegirl74
    December 3, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    That is beautiful. I love the idea of all the extra frosting at the top. Wish I had thought of that when I made my grand-child’s smash cake. I like the ribbon around it as well. That is something I has never thought of and makes it all the more pretty. Thank you for the recipe it is one I will try. I hate boxed mixes. I’m Popping over from http://www.simplymoms.net
    simplegirl74 recently posted…Hot Topic • Re: synthetic wigsMy Profile

  • Reply
    mummuddlingthrough
    December 3, 2015 at 8:37 pm

    Wow…so you just let the baby smash it all up?! In the garden, right?! 🙂 Just kidding – thanks for sharing with #coolmumclub
    mummuddlingthrough recently posted…#coolmumclub Linky week 9My Profile

  • Reply
    Kim (sisterkin)
    December 4, 2015 at 3:46 pm

    Inhad never heard of smash cakes before (had to google it)! What a fab idea. Wish I’d made one for my sister’s 40th. #coolmumclub
    Kim (sisterkin) recently posted…Desperately Seeking JontoMy Profile

  • Reply
    Honest Mum
    December 4, 2015 at 4:05 pm

    Oh wow, that’s fabulous! Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts, can you add my badge too please, thanks x

    • Reply
      newmummy
      December 11, 2015 at 12:10 am

      Thank you! It was yummy too 🙂

  • Reply
    Lex
    December 6, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    I’ve booked a cake smash for my daughter first birthday party and I really wanted to make my own cake. Im so glad I’ve found this, I’ve bookmarked it ready for January! #coolmumclub
    Lex recently posted…It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!My Profile

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