How to Make a Smash Cake for Your Baby's Birthday

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).

   Grease the inside of two 6-inch (15.24-centimeter) cake pans with butter or cooking spray.
   
   Dust the inside of each pan with flour, then set them aside.
2. 2

   Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar.

   Cut the butter into an electric mixer or food processor.
   
   Add the sugar, then beat them together using a medium speed setting for 5 to 8 minutes. , Add the eggs in one at a time.
   
   Beat the mixture well after each egg that you add.
   
   At the very end, stir in the vanilla extract. , Pour the flour into a large mixing bowl.
   
   Add the baking powder.
   
   Stir the two together with a whisk. , Pour in half of the flour mixture into the butter mixture.
   
   Beat to combine, then stir in half of the milk.
   
   Repeat with the rest of the flour and milk.
   
   Stir everything together until they are just combined. , Fill each pan about ¾ of the way with cake batter.
   
   You will have some cake batter left over.
   
   You can use this to make another cake or a set of cupcakes.
   
   Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl clean so that you don't waste any cake batter. , They are ready when a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. , Run a knife along the inside of each pan to loosen the cakes, then remove the cakes from the pans.
   
   If the cakes are still warm, let them finish cooling on a wire rack.
   
   They must be completely cool before you frost them. , Sometimes, cakes form a dome on top while baking.
   
   If your cakes formed domes, use a long, sharp knife to cut them off.Discard the cut-off domes or eat them. , You can do this in an electric mixer or a food processor.
   
   At the very end, stir in the vanilla extract. , Add in 1 cup (125 grams) of powdered sugar, then beat it in using a medium speed setting.
   
   Add in the remaining cup (125 grams) of powdered sugar and beat it until it is completely blended in. , Pour in 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of milk, then beat the frosting using a medium speed setting.
   
   Add in the rest of milk, and mix again.
   
   Keep mixing until the frosting is smooth. , You can use any color you want, but most people use light blue (for boys) or pink (for girls). , Cut the tip off of a piping bag, then insert an open star decorating tip.Set the bag down into a tall glass, then fold the top edge over the rim of the glass.
   
   Fill the bag with the buttercream frosting using a rubber spatula.
   
   Skip this step if you want to just spread the frosting over the cake for something simpler. , Place one of the cakes cut-side-up onto a pretty plate.
   
   Swirl some buttercream frosting onto the top of the cake. , This time, set it cut-side-down.
   
   Use your hands to make the two layers even; you don't want any overhanging edges. , Place the tip of the bag against the center of the cake.
   
   Using gentle pressure, begin piping out frosting while moving the bag outward in a circle.
   
   Think of it as drawing a tight spiral.For a simpler cake: plop icing on top, then use cake decorating spatula to spread it towards the edges and down the sides., Work your way around the first rose that you made until you fill the top of the cake.
   
   Continue making more roses along the sides of the cake.
   
   You should be able to make about 2 to 3 rows of roses along the sides., Go over your cake and check for any gaps between the roses.
   
   If you see any, fill them in with a small squirt of frosting.If you used a coupler, you can switch to a simple round tip for this step. , You don't have to do this, but it's a great way to bring some color to your cake, especially if you spread the frosting instead of piped it on.Plus, your little one might like the texture when he or she grabs the cake! Instead of going for the basic rainbow sprinkles, consider using something more creative, such as silver hearts, gold stars, or edible glitter. , You can find a template online or create one using a word processing program.
   
   You can also draw the number on a sheet of paper instead.
   
   Aim to make the number about 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) tall.You can use any font you want.
   
   Block or bubble fonts work great! , Place your template down onto a baking sheet.
   
   Cover it with a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper, then tape down the edges., Tie off the end or secure it with a rubber band.
   
   Don't cut off the tip yet; you will do that later.You can use any color you want, but white, pink, or light blue are great options.
   
   If you can't find any candy melts, you can use white chocolate chips instead. , Place the piping bag into the microwave, then heat it at 30-second intervals until the candy melts.
   
   Knead the bag between each interval.
   
   How long you do this for depends on the type of candy melts you are using; some melt quicker than others., Only cut off a tiny bit, or the melted candy will come out too thick. in the next step., Use the piping bag to outline your number with the melted chocolate.
   
   Next, fill the number in using a tight, zigzag motion.
   
   Make sure that there are no gaps visible., Here is where you can get really creative.
   
   You can cover the entire number with sprinkles, or just add a dash.
   
   For a textured number, match the color of the sprinkles to your chocolate.
   
   For a colorful number, use rainbow-colored sprinkles., Use the baking sheet to transfer the number to the fridge.
   
   Leave it there for 10 minutes so that the chocolate can harden., Once the chocolate has hardened, peel the number off of the wax or parchment paper.
   
   Set it down onto the cake so that it stands straight up, like one of those number candles.
3. 3

   Step 3: Add in the eggs

4. 4

   Step 4: then stir in the vanilla extract.

5. 5

   Step 5: Whisk the flour and baking powder together.

6. 6

   Step 6: Alternate between adding the flour and the milk to the butter.

7. 7

   Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pans.

8. 8

   Step 8: Bake the cakes for 35 to 40 minutes.

9. 9

   Step 9: Let the cakes cool before removing them from the pans.

10. 10

    Step 10: Cut the top part off of each cake

11. 11

    Step 11: if needed.

12. 12

    Step 12: Cream the butter and shortening until they turn light and fluffy.

13. 13

    Step 13: Beat in the sugar gradually.

14. 14

    Step 14: Mix the milk gradually.

15. 15

    Step 15: Consider adding in some gel food coloring.

16. 16

    Step 16: Fill a piping bag with the frosting.

17. 17

    Step 17: Spread some buttercream onto the first layer for the filling.

18. 18

    Step 18: Place the second layer on top.

19. 19

    Step 19: Pipe a tight circle onto the cake to make a simple rose.

20. 20

    Step 20: Continue making more roses.

21. 21

    Step 21: Fill the gaps in with more frosting.

22. 22

    Step 22: Finish off with some sprinkles

23. 23

    Step 23: if desired.

24. 24

    Step 24: Print out a large number 1 to use as a template.

25. 25

    Step 25: Tape a sheet of wax or parchment paper over it.

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    Step 26: Place colored candy melts into a piping bag.

27. 27

    Step 27: Microwave the piping bag until the chocolate melts.

28. 28

    Step 28: Cut the tip off with a pair of scissors.

29. 29

    Step 29: Trace over your template

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    Step 30: then fill it in.

31. 31

    Step 31: Consider adding some sprinkles.

32. 32

    Step 32: Tuck the number into the fridge for 10 minutes.

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    Step 33: Peel the number off

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    Step 34: then stand it up on the cake.

Detailed Guide

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