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

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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!!

 

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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