This healthy, gluten free smash cake recipe is a great alternative to a sugar-filled birthday cake for your toddler!
This healthy smash cake recipe contains no added sugar, just a bit of apple sauce, and is gluten free.
It was a huge hit at our house. Our daughter loved it and we felt great about serving it to her. Win-win!
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While browsing literally dozens of "healthy" first birthday cake recipes, I was really struck by how many of them seemed to be trying to cater to adult tastes. Your baby has no idea what cake is "supposed to" be like!
To be honest, I strongly considered not adding anything even vaguely sweet. I always knew I wouldn't use honey, maple sugar, or any other 'natural' sugar.
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Reasons to make a healthy smash cake
I'm sure a few folks are reading this wondering why in the world I didn't just bake up a 'normal' cake, or just use something like maple syrup as a sweetener.
The short answer is that I'm passionate about eliminating as many refined and added sugars from foods as possible.
"But it's her first birthday!" I can hear you say. Yes, exactly.
The American Heart Association recommends no added sugars or juice before the age of 2. It's also been shown that early introduction of added sugars influences taste preferences.
In other words, introducing sugars early makes children more likely to want sugars. (And less likely to want to eat their veggies!)
The evidence is mounting up against the refined sugars that currently find their way into just about every processed food product.
As a quick note - this cake is not super fluffy, but it is nice and moist. It's kind of like a large apple & oatmeal pancake.
If your little one loves oatmeal and apples as much as ours does, I'm sure they'll like it just fine! (I'm not going to lie, I stole the bottom layer off the pictured cake and ate it myself!)
2020 update: In case anyone is wondering how my low sugar little one is doing at 2.5 years old...the other day she left half a (banana oatmeal) "cookie" untouched on her plate while munching Brussels sprouts.
She announced "I love Brussels sprouts!" I think this healthy first birthday cake started her off on the right foot!
Ingredients for healthy first birthday cake
I've baked this healthy toddler birthday cake several times now. The first time I combined all the ingredients with a stand mixer like you would with a 'normal' cake.
The next time, I switched things up a bit and made it using our Ninja blender. I liked this version better, so it's what I'm sharing today!
If you don't have a high-powered blender, just pre-ground oat flour and use ground flax. (I personally don't purchase/use ground flaxseed since it goes rancid quickly.)
Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, cream the wet ingredients together, then stir in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Healthy smash cake ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup water, milk, or your favorite non-dairy milk. I just used water.
- 2 tablespoons whole flaxseed. I prefer golden flaxseed.
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into ½" slices, soft but not totally melted.
- 1 ½ cups gluten free old fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder
- A dash of cinnamon, if your little one likes it.
- Whole milk, plain Greek yogurt for frosting. Make sure to get a brand without added thickeners or extra sugar. Fage and Cabot are my top picks.
If you cook a lot with flaxseed, these golden flaxseeds organic and delicious!
Related: Indoor gross motor toys for young toddlers (includes presents we gave our daughter for her first birthday!)
Healthy Smash Cake Recipe
Oat flour absorbs moisture quickly so the mixture become thicker the longer it sits. Try to work as quickly as possible. Have your cake pans prepared before mixing any ingredients!
To make a healthy first birthday cake:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease two 5 or 6 inch cake pans or three 4-inch pans. I've made it with both 6" pans and 4" pans, and I think the 4" is definitely the cuter option! Coat lightly with oat flour, tapping out any excess.
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3. Combine the eggs, water, vanilla, and applesauce in your blender pitcher. Blend to combine for 5-10 seconds.
4. Sprinkle the flaxseeds on top and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes.
5. Add the butter and blend until it is combined and the flaxseeds are fully ground.
6. Add the oats and baking powder. Blend until the oats are fully incorporated.
7. Divide the batter evenly between prepared cake pans. You may need to use a spoon or spatula to encourage the batter to the pan's edges. Jiggle and tap the pan to level the batter.
8. Bake until a toothpick (or fork! I just use a fork) inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. My 6" pans took about 18 minutes to bake the cake. It took about 25 minutes in the 4" pans because each layer was considerably thicker.
Ovens and pans vary, so keep en eye on your cake and pull it when it's ready, not just because the clock said so.
9. Allow the cakes to cool for about 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cakes to help them come free, then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack.
10. Once the cake has fully cooled, you can "frost" it with whole milk Greek yogurt or the frosting of your choice.
I allowed my Greek yogurt to drain in a colander in the fridge to remove any excess moisture so the cake wouldn't become soggy. Simply line a colander with cheesecloth or a Viva paper towel and let it sit for a couple hours!
If you're going to frost and serve the cake immediately, you can skip this step. I went for a cute semi-naked appearance, but you do you!
11. Serve and watch your little one enjoy!
You can also print the recipe from this version here:
Healthy Smash Cake Recipe - No Added Sugar Gluten Free First Birthday Cake
This gluten free healthy smash cake recipe is perfect for your toddler's birthday celebration!
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce -or- an apple and an electric pressure cooker
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup water, milk, or your favorite non-dairy milk
- 2 tablespoons whole flaxseed
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into ½" slices, soft but not melted
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned oats (or oat flour)
- 1 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder
- A dash of cinnamon, if your little one likes it
- Whole milk, plain Greek yogurt for frosting
Instructions
Who else tries to give their kiddo (or themselves!) as little sugar as possible? I know I can't be the only one!
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