Get the recipe: Baby's First Healthy Smash Cake
Ingredients
Applesauce Smash Cake
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, you can also use white whole wheat, half wheat and half white flour, or a gluten-free flour blend
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup maple syrup, room temperature
- 1 /2 cup applesauce, no added sugar, room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup milk
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 16 oz cream cheese block, room temperature
- 1/2 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed (optional) can also use freeze-dried mango, blueberries or raspberries
Instructions
Applesauce Smash Cake
- Preheat oven to 350° F. On parchment paper, trace the bottom of a 5" round and cut out three circles. Place the parchment paper into 3 different 5" round pans and grease or spray.
- In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.
- In a large bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer, add the butter. Cream (mix) for 1 minute. Add in the maple syrup and beat for 1 minute, scraping down the sides as needed. Add in the applesauce and beat for 1 minute, scraping down the sides as needed. Add in the eggs, milk, and vanilla and mix for 1-2 minutes.
- Add in the flour mixture, and mix until just incorporated.
- Divide the batter equally between the 3 round pans. Bake for 22-26 minutes or until golden brown around the edges and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert layers onto a cooling rack, remove the parchment paper, and set aside to cool completely.
Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer, add in the cream cheese, yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract and beat on medium-high for 3-4 minutes or until soft and smooth. If too thick, you may need to add in 1-2 tablespoons of milk.
- Divide the frosting into two bowls and add in the freeze-dried fruit into one of them. Mix until incorporated.
To Assemble
- Place one of the round cakes on a serving platter and top with 1/2 cup of strawberry frosting, spreading the frosting to the edges. Add on the second round cake, and spread 1/2 cup of frosting. Add on the third round cake.
- Add on the white cream cheese frosting generously to the top and top half of the sides in the tiered cake. Take the rest of the strawberry frosting and starting on the bottom of the cake and working your way up to the top mix the two frostings together in the middle of the cake creating an ombre effect.
Notes
Age: 12+ months
Yield: one 5" smash cake. I would recommend you make two batches - one cake for your baby and one cake for you and the guests.
Time-Saver Tip: if you are tight on time, you can also use any store-bought frosting or store-bought whipped cream.
Storage: If you plan to make, frost, and serve this cake in the same day, store this smash cake in the fridge. The cream cheese frosting is perishable and could spoil if left out.
If you plan to make this smash cake a few days in advance, store the cake and cream cheese frosting separately. Place the cake in an airtight container and store at room temperature until ready to assemble and frost, just before serving. Storing the cake in the fridge for too long can make it dense and dry out.
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