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.

First birthday cake on cake stand with piece cut on plate.

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 Greek Yogurt Cake, First Birthday Party Ideas, Toddler Learning Towers, my list of Baking Essentials (which includes dye-free sprinkles), and 1-Year-Old Recipes.)

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First birthday cake on cake stand with candle.

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.

Favorite One-Year-Old Birthday Cake
With a super simple method, no added sugar, and the most tender texture, this One-Year-Old Birthday Cake is perfect as a smash cake OR a cake to share. You can vary the flavor, make it ahead, and rely on the easy recipe to help enjoy the special day.
Favorite One-Year-Old Birthday Cake
First birthday cake on cake stand with candle.
first-birthday-smash-cake-on-high-chair

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.

First Birthday Smash Cake (with Yogurt Frosting)
This First Birthday Smash Cake has a base of rolled oats and vanilla, and a super creamy yogurt frosting. This recipe is baked in mini cake pans to create a small, personally sized cake for your newly minted toddler. (You can start prepping the frosting the night before if desired.)
First Birthday Smash Cake (with Yogurt Frosting)
first-birthday-smash-cake-on-high-chair
slices-of-blueberry-first-birthday-cake

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.

Blueberry Smash Cake (First Birthday Cake)
This naturally sweetened birthday cake is delicious and easy to make ahead of time. Plan ahead to let 4 bananas ripen to have brown spots to ensure that the cake has plenty of natural sweetness.
Blueberry Smash Cake (First Birthday Cake)
sliced blueberry birthday cake on colored plates.
sweet-potato-baby-cake-on-cake-plate

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.

Sweet Potato Baby Cake
With an easy stir-together method and a naturally sweet flavor, this delicious sweet potato baby cake is the perfect cake for a first birthday. And as a sweet potato cake with cream cheese frosting, it's also a festive holiday dessert or a treat to share on a day that needs it! (Plan to make the cake at least an hour before you want to eat it so it has time to cool.)
Sweet Potato Baby Cake
sweet-potato-baby-cake-on-cake-plate
healthy-apple-cake on cake stand

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 Apple Cake (with Yogurt Frosting)
For a first birthday or a family celebration, this Apple Cake is easy and delicious. (Note: You'll want to start the frosting the night before you plan to make the cake so it has time to thicken.)
Healthy Apple Cake (with Yogurt Frosting)
healthy-apple-cake on cake stand

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.

Healthy Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This lightly sweetened cake is perfect for a first or second birthday—or just any day where you’re craving some cake to share!
Healthy Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
healthy-banana-cake-on-white-platter
Cut vanilla cake with slices on plates.

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.

Easy Vanilla Cake (Vegan)
This Easy Vanilla Cake is egg-free, dairy-free, and SO darn delicious. It's lower in sugar but delivers on classic vanilla cake flavor and texture you expect.
Easy Vanilla Cake (Vegan)
Cut vanilla cake with slices on plates.
fresh strawberry sheet cake with berries on top.

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 Sheet Cake
The sheet cake is my go-to dessert for a potluck or picnic since you can make it up to one day ahead and serve it straight out of the fridge. The Strawberry Frosting seals the delicious deal.
Fresh Strawberry Sheet Cake
fresh strawberry sheet cake with berries on top.
strawberry-cupcake-on-mini-cake-stand

Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

With fresh strawberry puree right in the batter, these berry cupcakes are a delicious option for a first birthday cake.

Strawberry Cupcakes with Fresh Berries
These Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes have super yummy fruit flavor, and are a great option for a first birthday, toddler birthday, or any event you have in mind. Plus, they are just the prettiest pale shade of pink!
Strawberry Cupcakes with Fresh Berries
strawberry-cupcake-on-mini-cake-stand
healthy-banana-cupcakes-on-cake-stand

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.

Favorite Banana Cupcakes
This naturally sweet cupcake is perfect for a first birthday—or any birthday there after. See the Notes section under the recipe for allergy-friendly variations. We love this with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Favorite Banana Cupcakes
banana cupcakes on cake stand with first birthday hats
What kind of cake can a baby eat on its first birthday?

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.

What is the best flavor cake for a 1 year old?

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.

How can I make first birthday cakes ahead of time?

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.

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