Naturally sweetened, these dairy-free smash cupcakes are healthy and fun! This healthy first birthday smash cake uses bananas for sweetness thus making it processed sugar-free. The sugar-free smash cake can be made as a cake or into cute cupcakes. Top the first birthday cake with a dye-free, cream cheese frosting.
This is one of the only blog posts on the site that has a lot of personal preferences and the story of my experience with first birthday cakes. If you don't want to read, JUMP to the recipe.
Turning one is a right of passage for kids and with that tends to come an overwhelming amount of sugar.
But, as a Certified Nutrition Coach I'm telling you it doesn't have to!
Instead of going the traditional route for a first birthday smash cake, opt for something with less sugar and healthier ingredients: sugar-free, dairy-free smash cake.
The Healthy, Dairy-Free Smash Cupcakes
These healthy 1st birthday cupcakes are simple. Likewise, they taste good and of course, my daughter(s) all loved them!
The cupcakes give a dairy-free smash cake option filled with real food ingredients that I felt good about.
You'll love them because:
- they're sweetened naturally with bananas (processed sugar-free!)
- they can be made into a smash cake or cupcakes
- they're allergy-friendly (dairy-free and gluten-free)
- you can use two, sugar-free, healthy, dairy-free frosting options
- they're kid & adult-approves
Why To Avoid Sugar In A First Birthday Smash Cake
Have you ever heard a mom say something like "he was a great eater until just after one! And then he stopped eating anything healthy".
It's my personal belief that this is around the point when parents change their kid's taste buds.
Giving them more sugar (starting with the first birthday smash cake) and then processed foods, how can you expect your babe to adore broccoli when he/she just tasted a sugar explosion?
You can learn more about eliminating and scaling back on sugar in this podcast with Michael Collins (chairman of Food Addiction Institute)
Since I still wanted the experience of the 1st birthday smash cupcakes, I instead made an easy, healthy, dairy-free smash cake.
Texture Of The Cupcakes
Whether you are making this first birthday recipe into cupcakes or a full cake, the texture of the recipe is soft! Thanks to the bananas and coconut yogurt, the smash cake comes out light and soft.
Furthermore, I wouldn't say it's overly fluffy but it is soft enough for kiddos to mow down on!
How To Color The Frosting
For these healthy smash cupcakes, I opted to use natural coloring options instead of dye.
Thus, for these particular cupcakes, I used beet crystals for the pink and blueberries for the purple. Having made them since I personally like to use any of the following:
- beet crystals (not beet powder)
- freeze-dried strawberries(pink and sweeter)
- dried blueberries powder (purple ish)
- spirulina (blue-green)
Likewise, you can always color the frosting with traditional methods like dye (these natural food dyes are really great), or learn to make natural food dye.
Step By Step Photos
Choosing A Sugar-Free Frosting
I've frosted these dairy-free smash cupcakes multiple ways and the below options are my favorite:
- coconut whip frosting
- cream cheese frosting
That said, I'll be the first to admit that while I prefer the coconut whip frosting in flavor, it doesn't "pipe" onto the cake or cupcake as nicely.
The coconut whip will also melt if it's at room temperature for more than ten or so minutes. Basically, it's "finicky".
The cream cheese frosting, however, pipes onto the cupcakes in a traditional manner. There is a lot of dairy and lactose-free cream cheese on the market so grab whichever suits your preference.
If you don't want to go a traditional color but prefer chocolate topped cake instead (which looks really pretty sprinkled with maple flakes!), opt for my healthy chocolate frosting instead. You can control the texture by adding in more or less almond milk and it's one of my kids' favorites for cookies and cupcakes.
Note that if you want to make the cupcakes more indulgent for the adults, drizzling them with dairy-free caramel sauce definitely takes them up a notch!
How To Store The Cupcakes
The smash cake itself is fairly light. However, once stored in the fridge it will firm up a bit.
Unfortunately, both of the icings need to be refrigerated somewhat.
So, you can either make the sugar-free cupcakes the day of and leave them out until it's time to frost and serve. Or, you can pop them in the fridge knowing they'll be a bit more firm.
Likewise, if using cream cheese frosting, let them settle to room temperature before serving. If using coconut whip cream, serve immediately from the fridge.
Taste & Flavor
I can't stress enough that these cupcakes are not sweet. They are almost like a muffin in flavor.
If your kids are used to sweeter items, add in some maple flakes (⅛ cup) to the cupcake batter.
Likewise, you can add sugar (or maple flakes) into the frosting to make it sweeter also. However, these first smash cupcakes were designed for babies so they're sugar-free. If making for adults, sweeten as you'd like.
How To Make The Birthday Cupcakes Into A Dairy-Free Smash Cake
As mentioned, I've done both.
Personally, I prefer 1st birthday cupcakes as I find them much easier to decorate. If this is you, follow the recipe directions exactly.
If you want to make this recipe into a full-on smash cake, note the faqs and tips below.
The recipe in the card is for one cake. To make a fancy, first birthday cake you'll want to double it to make two layers (and frost in between). This will give you a more indulgent and traditional feel.
- Make sure to grease the pan. I use a springboard pan to make it easier to remove.
- You'll need to bake the cake longer (bake at 350 degrees for roughly 35-40 minutes). Once cooked, let cool in the pan fully (about forty-five minutes), before removing and adding frosting.
- Likewise, opt for the cream cheese frosting. The coconut whip doesn't "hold" between the cakes nicely.
Sugar-Free Icing Options
Coconut Whip Frosting (makes a purple color)
- Full Fat Coconut Milk, chilled in the fridge overnight
- ½ cup frozen blueberries
- 1 teaspoon beet crystals
Scoop only the hardened coconut cream from the can and drain the water. Place in a high-powered blender. Add in the blueberries and beet crystals. Blend until smooth.
Pour into a container and place it into the freezer for a couple of hours until mostly hard. Remove from the freezer and let thaw for ten minutes.
Remove from the container and whip with a handheld mixer. Use a spatula to smooth the icing onto the cupcakes.
Note: coconut whip melts if left out of the fridge/freezer for too long. It must stay chilled to retain its shape. Thus, it's normally better if it's made just before you're serving.
Cream Cheese Frosting (easier to work with and pink)
- ⅔ cup Lactose-free cream cheese (if needed)
- 1 teaspoon Beet crystals or chlorella (amount based on color)
- 2 tablespoons maple flakes (amount based on sweetness preference) or liquid stevia
Use a handheld mixer to whip all ingredients until smooth. Pipe onto the cupcakes.
Don't forget to pin this first birthday, dairy-free smash cake!
Substitutions
- Any dairy-free yogurt will work for the cupcakes. However, Greek yogurt will leave them too thick.
- Regular filtered water is absolutely fine in place of the coconut water.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smash Cupcakes
A smash cake is typically used for a baby's first birthday. It is a cake that is made for the baby to dig into. Since babies are normally not graceful, they typically smash the cake before eating (and dig in with their hands). Hence the name "smash cake".
Instead of using a traditional cake based on sugar and butter, opt for dairy-free smash cupcakes. Sweeten the cake or cupcakes naturally with bananas or dates and eliminate the sugar.
Healthy First Birthday Smash Cupcakes- Dairy-Free & Sugar-Free
Equipment
- Muffin tray
- Muffin liners
- Handheld mixer
Ingredients
- 3 bananas large
- ¼ cup coconut yogurt
- ½ cup coconut water
- 2 eggs
- ¼ egg whites
- 1 cups oat flour
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 tbs coconut flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tbs maple flakes optional
- For The Cream Cheese Frosting
- ⅔ cup Dairy free cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon Beet crystals or chlorella amount based on color
- 2 tablespoons Maple flakes amount based on sweetness preference
- 1 teaspoon liquid stevia optional, in place of maple flakes
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahernheit.
- In a powerful blender, combine the first five ingredients. Blend until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients minus the maple flakes.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry and mix until no clumps remain.
- Line a muffin tray with paper muffin cups and portion out the batter.
- Use a silicone spatula to smooth down the tops.
- Sprinkle the top with maple flakes if using.
- Bake for 20 minutes, turn the pan and bake for another 8-10 minutes.
- Immediately remove the muffins from the tin to cool.
- Once full cooled, top with frosting of choice and enjoy!
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Use a handheld mixer to whip all ingredients until smooth. Pipe onto the cupcakes.
Video
Notes
- The nutrition facts are based on just the cupcakes, not the frosting.
- You can use frozen blueberry, beet crystals, or strawberry to color the frosting. Or use these natural food dyes
- you can make these 1st birthday cupcakes into a smash cake (see notes in blog post)
- if refrigerated, the cupcakes will become denser
- Note: the maple flakes obviously voids the "sugar-free" title. These are something I used as my girls got older or to simply decorate for the adults. Completely optional.
Nutrition
The focus of a babes first birthday shouldn't be the sugar content or even the smash cake at all. It should be about the celebration, the next step, the letting go (for the mama!). Furthermore, it should reflect the enjoyment in all that's to come.
Make your baby's first birthday a healthier one and opt for a sugar-free smash cake- you'll both be happy!
Shelby aka Mama Bear
Sara
This recipe looks great and it is dairy free, which means I can eat it! I am so looking forward to making the frosting! Drooling already!! 😉
fitasamamabear
Haha I'm dairy free also now so most of my recipes are! My girls loved the cupcakes. I prefer the coconut frosting but it can be hard to work with. The lactose free cream cheese is easy to work with but crazy decadent to me!
Olivia
I was searching and searching for something like this for my son’s first birthday. I hated the idea of giving him sugar. I am going to save this for his second birthday. The ingredients sound amazing and delicious!
fitasamamabear
Oh yay! I'm so so happy to hear I'm not the only one who doesn't want to dose babes full of sugar on their birthdays! I hope he enjoys it- even my guests like it (though they preferred the cream cheese frosting!)
Scarlet
These vegan cupcakes are so delicious. Thanks for the great recipe.
fitasamamabear
Yay! Such a hit with kiddos.
Jennifer
It's such an amazing milestone to celebrate! I made a firetruck cake for my son and wish I had a recipe like this because he ate so much cake and was wired for a while! This is so delicious!!
fitasamamabear
Haha you are amazing if you can make a firetruck one! I am literally the worst decorator!
Allyssa
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
fitasamamabear
Glad it was a hit!