My very own original recipe for a first birthday cake — perfect for both boys and girls! I came up with this cake entirely from scratch for my son Hector's first birthday! This recipe works just as well for a baby boy as it does for a baby girl — I made it that way on purpose. My inspiration was the animal-shaped cookies my son absolutely loves right now, along with a golden number-one candle I'd picked up the day before. From there, apple puree felt like a natural fit, both in flavor and color. I made the cake two-toned and tall. For this first birthday cake, I used only age-appropriate, baby-safe ingredients. My son already tries plenty of "grown-up food" without any issues, but since not every baby is the same, I kept everything hypoallergenic so this cake can work for any child! By the way, there's another recipe on the site — First Birthday Cake — that I made for my daughter Agata almost 8 years ago. Time flies, and kids grow up so fast! And just like back then, I still can't stand those big, heavy fondant cakes covered in bright colors and a pile of little figurines for one-year-olds. Nothing beats a sweet, simple first birthday cake without fondant and with minimal decorations. It's easy to make — no need to spend hours in the kitchen rolling and sculpting fondant shapes. Better to spend that free time with your little boy or girl! My son absolutely loved his birthday cake, and so did his big sister!
Ingredients:
- 40 g cookies (I used animal crackers)
- 20 g butter
- Cottage Cheese Layer:
- 300 g yogurt
- 200 g cottage cheese (or baby cottage cheese)
- 10 g gelatin
- sugar to taste
- Apple Layer:
- 300 g apple puree (or 600 g apples)
- 100 g apple juice
- 10 g gelatin
- sugar to taste
How to cook first birthday cake (for a boy or girl)
Make the apple layer. Peel the apples, cut them up, and microwave for 5–7 minutes until soft. I used a green pear-apple variety. Then blend into a smooth puree, press through a colander, and add sugar to taste if desired. Alternatively, use 300 g of store-bought jarred apple puree. Of course, it doesn't have to be apple puree — you can use any fruit puree from a jar that your baby already eats.
Pour the apple juice over the gelatin and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then heat until dissolved — I do this in the microwave. Pour the dissolved gelatin into the apple puree while mixing continuously.
Make the cottage cheese layer. Blend the cottage cheese and yogurt together thoroughly until completely smooth and uniform.
If these ingredients aren't sweet enough, add sugar to taste. The cottage cheese mixture should be completely smooth and lump-free.
Pour 50 ml of water over the gelatin and let it sit for 5 minutes, then heat until dissolved. Pour the dissolved gelatin into the cottage cheese mixture while mixing continuously.
Prepare a small mold or box. Mine is 12 cm in diameter — I built up the sides using parchment paper folded into several layers, with a layer of smooth plastic wrap on the inside. Acetate cake strips work great for this if you have them, but we don't take the easy road! Crush the cookies in a food processor, then add the melted butter and process again. Press the mixture into the mold and pack it down firmly using the bottom of a glass. It's best to do all of this ahead of time.
Pour in one-third of the cottage cheese mixture (it's best to use a scale so the layers are even). Place in the freezer for 10 minutes. Leave the remaining cottage cheese and apple mixtures on the counter.
Check that the layer has set, then carefully pour half of the apple mixture on top. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Continue adding layers this way — you'll end up with 5 layers total. If a mixture has thickened too much, just warm it briefly in the microwave and stir until it becomes pourable again. Refrigerate the finished cake for 3–4 hours or overnight until fully set.
I decorated the top of the birthday cake with the same animal-shaped cookies, and of course a number-one birthday candle.
We had to take the cookies off right away because he started trying to stuff them whole into his mouth!
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