Happy first birthday to your little one!
One year is a big milestone and a day worth celebrating! And in many cultures, that includes cake! There seem to be 2 opinions about the first birthday cake: a regular cake or a modified cake (usually lower in sugar.) So, which one is best??
My answer: either one! It’s up to you and depends on your priorities. Let’s talk more about it!
A regular cake is a great option if you’re looking for something easy and don’t want the stress of baking a non-standard cake. It’s also an easier option if you’re looking for specific colors/themes. Yes, it will be packed with sugar but I truly believe that one exposure is not going to make or break anything. One exposure will not “ruin” your child’s taste preferences or get them hooked on sugar.
A modified cake is a great option as well. Your child will likely be thrilled and honestly won’t know any different. It can be an opportunity to get creative and come up with something unique. And I’m willing to bet that you can find a way to make it delicious. If you’re concerned about the sugar content of birthday cake or want to save sweets for later on, then this is a great option.
Please don’t feel pressured into one or the other – you can do what works best for you and be confident in that decision!
I firmly believe that turning 12 months is NOT a license to go ahead and give your little one sweets. A birthday cake ONE TIME will not make or break anything. BUT, I strongly strongly recommend leaving it there. Just ONE cake, ONE time. Waiting until at least age 2 to give sweets will help your child to develop a taste palate and acceptance for other flavors and foods. Our bodies are designed to enjoy sugar foods, so liking sweets will easily come later. But if we fail to give attention to other tastes, it will be harder for them to develop.
All that to say, there’s no right or wrong way to go about it.
Personally, I’ve opted for regular sugary cakes for my babies. Mostly because I’m not much of a baker and didn’t want to spend time on their birthdays trying to make a cake. It was easy to order a cake and have it made for me. In all honestly, I think my kids only had about 2 bites of cake anyways, so I didn’t think the sugar amount was a big deal. They were more interested in the balloons and people at the party. I LOVE the smash cake tradition and always get my one year old their own separate little cake!
For those who are interested in a modified cake, I found a recipe for you! It does have maple syrup, which is considered added sugar for babies, but definitely less sugar than a regular cake with the yogurt frosting. I haven’t tried it myself but got good reports of this recipe from parents who have tried it.
Here’s the recipe link: https://www.yummytoddlerfood.com/best-smash-cake-with-yogurt-frosting/
Happy birthday and happy eating!
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