1st Birthday Cake

Organising a birthday cake for your little one’s first birthday need not be an elaborate affair. A practical way to celebrate is by whipping up a batch of mini birthday cupcakes. A cupcake is a great alternative to a birthday cake. It means bub isn’t overwhelmed with a large cake, or in danger of a sugar overdose! They are also lovely to send home with guests as well.

If you’d like to celebrate with a birthday cake, make sure it isn’t one they shouldn’t eat. This usually means nuts and honey are off the menu. Cut it into very small portions when you serve it up to the little ones. The grown ups will usually happily help polish off the remainder!

It’s also useful to put some thought into the candle you use on bub’s first birthday cake. A sparkler might sound like a lovely idea but might scare some children. Inquisitive types are just as likely to reach out and try to grab it. Whatever candle you choose keep it well out of reach!

We’ve provided you with our tried and tested cupcake recipe and a great butter cake recipe as well that is easy to prepare.

1st Birthday Cupcake recipe

Ingredients

• 225g butter
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
• 350ml milk
• 3 cups self raising flour
• cupcake liners

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.
2. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
3. Cream butter and sugar together in electric mixer until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs, one at a time.
5. Beat in the vanilla.
6. Add milk and flour alternately, approx half a cup at a time.
7. Pour into cupcake pans.
8. Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Makes approx 24 cupcakes (depending on size).

Butter Cake Recipe

This butter cake recipe is very versatile and can be used to make any number of combinations for a party.

Ingredients
These quantities make one standard cake.

• 125grams of softened butter
• 2/3 cup of caster sugar
• 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 2 cups self raising flour
• 2/3 cup milk

Method

1. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs and vanilla essence (beat until well mixed).
3. Add small amounts of flour and milk until well mixed in together.
4. Place into a lined and greased tin and cook for 45 minutes in an oven pre-heated to 180C.
5. Test with a skewer to ensure that it is cooked.

Icing
In the case of a first birthday cake it is wise to go very lightly on the icing. Your little one may have had very little sugar in their diet and even though it is a birthday, it is sensible to be sparing with it.

Butter Icing

Ingredients

• 75g softened butter
• 1 cup of sifted icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla essence

Instructions

1. Beat these ingredients until they are light and fluffy.
2. You can add a few drops of your favourite food colouring (less than you think).
3. Modify the mounts to make as much as you need.
4. Use a knife to spread over the cake.

If you’re still looking for some inspiration the Australian Woman’s Weekly Birthday Cake Book is a worthwhile investment.