A little four inch chocolate birthday cake perfect for a first birthday celebration.
For my grandson’s first birthday, my daughter wanted him to have his own little smash cake. I wanted him to have a homemade cake from grandma, so we bought a 4″ round cake pan at Gygi.
I combined the Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake recipe I posted last year with the Two Chocolate Cupcake recipe on Manhatton Craft Room to make just enough batter for one little 4 inch chocolate cake.
My grandson had never had cake before, but he couldn’t wait to get his little hands on his little birthday cake. My daughter had to put a little piece of cake in his mouth before he realized it was something to eat. It was so fun to see his eyes light up with that first taste of cake.
We were having 30 people at the party, so we needed a special cake for the adults too. I baked two chocolate cheesecake cakes. I’ll post that recipe on Friday.
Happy Birthday Evan! Grandma loves you!
Have you entered my pressure cooker giveaway? I’ve started a new site all about pressure cooking. Visit Pressure Cooking Today for a chance to win a 6 quart Cuisinart electric pressure cooker.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray a 4" x 2" round cake pan with baking spray.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Whisk together water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla in a cup. Add to dry ingredients and whisk just until combined.
- Bake 18 - 20 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting. (I frosted the cake with cream cheese icing.)
Some of the links in my posts may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting Barbara Bakes when you shop!
I love to bake, especially cookies, cakes, and pies. I’ll post my adventures in the kitchen, my favorite new recipes, as well as our family favorites.
A wonderful cake for a cute little boy!
Cheers,
Rosa
That looks so yummy and the photos turned out beautiful!!! Love you!
What a great introduction to cake for the little one!
This might be one of my favorite 1st birthday parties I’ve seen. Oh my goodness how fun, colorful and delicious. Totally pinning this, I’ve been looking for a recipe for small cakes.
And I love Gygi!
What cute photos! That little guy is lucky to get such a yummy Smash Cake. I have two grandchildren that turned 1 last week. Sadly they live far away so photo of their ‘smash’ cake will have to do.
Hi Cindy – thanks! I am fortunately to have him live so close.
So cute! What a good grandma you are!
Totally pinned. I’ll have to pretend the 14YO is turning 1 so I have a good excuse to buy a 4″ cake pan. How cute is that?!?
So fun! I have to make Caleb’s cake this week! Crazy they are already a year old!
I can’t believe he is already a year old! What a cutie he is. I have a feeling he is going to be begging for many of grandma’s baked goodies over the years.
He is such a cutie! Love the photo of him with the big smile on his face!
We did the same thing for my littlest grandson and he didn’t figure out the cake at first. He thought it was fun to play with, but didn’t understand the eating part, but boy howdy, when he figured it out, did his eyes light up!
Lovely cakes, both big and little!
He is darling! Glad he had a happy birthday! I never heard of a smash cake before. We all just had a slice of one cake. I love this idea. Love the photos afterwards! Looks delicious!!
Beautiful photos…
I to use this size pan for smash cakes it’s perfect !
Gorgeous cakes!! and happy birthday! Your grandson is adorable!
Is that shaved white chocolate on top? beautiful!
Thanks Alice – yes that is shaved white chocolate on top. I used a potato peeler and a bar of Ghirardelli White Chocolate.
Aww so adorable. Wow imagine tasting chocolate cake for the first time!!
The balloons in the cake are a cute idea I’ll have to remember that.
Happy 1st Birthday!
The cake looks wonderful! Petite and lovely!
awww.. he is gonna have a ball having you as his granny!! if i’m not mistaken this cake is a lot like the one you posted for your eggless cake post with cherry filling!!! i love that recipe.. so I know this one tasted awesome!!
awww thanks! You’re right – it is adapted from the eggless cake with cherry filling. It is a great cake.
Happy 1st Birthday to your grandson, Barbara. He is so lucky to have a great cook & baker grandma.
) So sweet to have his own 1st smash cake. I’m sure he can’t wait till the 2nd one. haha…
Best wishes
Kristy
Adorable! Happy Birthday to Evan!!
What a darling little cake for your grandson, Barbara, and what a perfect place for a one-year-old to eat his first cake – outdoors
What a cute little boy!! And a fun day!! Great idea!
So adorable!! I did a smash cake for Abbi’s birthday, but never did for Easton and still feel badly. This one is too cute!
OMG … How special for everyone involved! I love that he got to try cake for the first time on his first birthday
Wow Happy Birthday to your grand daughter she looks so cute just like the cake you made .It is adorable it reminds of my sons first birthday cake.I made sons cake for his party and felt good.I also love to bake too.
Happy Birthday Evan!!!
aw, this make me miss the baby days! what an adorable idea, they’re own little cake!
It sounds like such a fun day! You’ve captured everything so well with your pictures. And I don’t have to tell you how jealous I am of that cute little grandbaby.
Thanks everyone for the sweet comments. He is definitely a joy!
Absolutely LOVE this. What a cute little chocolate cake! And it sure looks like the birthday boy enjoyed it too.
I admit, I am so looking forward to John’s first birthday, you betcha he’ll be getting a little cake all for himself!
What a fun party–congrats on your grandson’s first birthday, and that first taste of cake!
Barbara, the little cake is so cute. How nice to get granma to make a cake for the birthday boy. I wish I had my mom here to share that wonderful experience of a first birthday party.
My little Emma is turning 1 next week, we are also having a little party and of course I am making a smash cake for her. She had never had cake before, so I am also waiting to see what she does when she sees her cake.
Your grandson is so cute! His smile sure is contagious and the cake is perfect for him!
You have such an adorable grandson! All 1 year olds definitely need their smash cake.
What a perfect introduction to cake!
Hello! Love the cake. Would you mind if I asked where you found the candle?
Thanks Ann! My daughter bought the candle at Zurchers. http://www.zurchers.com/birthday-party-supplies/1st-first-birthday-themes.html
Thanks so much!