If you’re looking for a healthy smash cake recipe, I have three easy smash cake recipes with no refined sugars. Flavors include chocolate, strawberry and banana.

My baby just turned one, *crying*. Of course I was going to make her the best first birthday cake ever. I went with a two tiered cake so the party guests and family members can enjoy the bottom tier and she can have her own small cake.

*If you’re wondering why I had three at her party, it’s because I tested all these recipes and practiced my cake decorating skills and one cake was Zara’s twin bestie.*

If you’re looking for a traditional cake, you can check out my vanilla 4 inch cake recipe for a vanilla flavor cake. It makes 1-2 6 inch cake layers or three 4 inch cake layers which is the perfect size for a smash cake..

I also wanted to provide a healthier smash cake recipe that has more whole some ingredients and doesn’t use refined sugar or artificial sweeteners but I couldn’t decide between the flavors so I posted all three below!

There’s a chocolate recipe, a strawberry recipe and a banana recipe. They’re all made fairly similar and they’re super quick and easy to make.

How to make a smash cake

First you’ll have to decide which recipe you want to make. There are three options below, or you can do my 4 inch vanilla cake as well. These three are made very similar, just whisk together the wet ingredients and fold in the dry ingredients.

chocolate cake batter in 4 inch cake pans — chocolate smash cake batter

Ingredients for the cake:

Flour: I kept it simple with all-purpose flour. You can replace that 1:1 with a Gluten-free flour like Bob’s Redmill or King Arthur. You can also use cake flour.
I also HIGHLY recommend using a digital scale, as you will almost always overmeasure the flour.
Sugar: I used maple syrup as the added sugar and I really tried to keep it minimal. The unsweetened applesauce, strawberries and/or bananas also help with sweetening the cake.
Greek yogurt: I normally use sour cream in my cakes but greek yogurt is full of protein so I used that here. You can also use coconut cream, coconut milk or whole milk here.
Applesauce: I used applesauce and/or bananas to replace the oil/butter normally found in cakes. You can use ripe bananas, applesauce or pureed pumpkin in any of the recipes.
Egg: I kept the egg because it’s full of protein and healthy fat but if you’re trying to do egg free you can also do a flax egg, which is 1 Tbsp of flax meal with 3 Tbsp of water and let it gelatinize for 10 minutes.
Flavors: I used cocoa powder in the chocolate cake, freeze dried strawberries (ground in a food processor) and natural strawberries in the strawberry cake and a ripe banana in the banana cake.

How to make the frosting

I wanted to make the frosting with minimal sugar as well so I went with a cream cheese frosting. Cream cheese is naturally pretty sweet so I just added a little maple syrup and a little flavoring. Just use a hand mixer to cream the cream cheese and then mix in the rest of the ingredients for each one.

For the chocolate cake I added cocoa powder, for the strawberry cake I added ground freeze dried strawberries and for the banana cake I added cinnamon.

I considered doing a whipped cream frosting or a coconut cream frosting but those are even softer and less stable so I didn’t want to go through the hassle adding gelatin and waiting for them to set.

cinnamon cream cheese frosting with maple syrup

How to decorate a smash cake

So if you’re trying to make fancy decorations, that’s going to be pretty difficult with a ‘healthier’ frosting. I wasn’t messing around with that so I just used my Swiss meringue buttercream recipe to decorate Zara’s cake (this sort of defeats the purpose of a healthier smash cake lol but she barely ate any of it so whatever).

However, if you want something more low key and nothing super fancy, you can just use the frosting recipes provided to lightly frost the cakes and top with some sprinkles and fresh berries or other fresh fruit.

The chocolate and strawberry frostings are much easier to work with since they have cocoa powder/strawberry powder in the recipe that absorbs some of the moisture.

The cinnamon frosting from the banana cake is a lot softer so I would refrigerate it for a little before assembling the cake and refrigerate the cake after assembling and before decorating.

Another option is to add a little powdered sugar to the cinnamon frosting to thicken it up a bit.

What cake pans to use for smash cakes

All of these recipes make enough batter to make either one thick 6 inch cake layer, two thin 6 inch cake layers or three 4 inch cake layers for a layer cake.

I use traditional 6-inch cake pans and for the four inch cakes, I actually just use a 4 inch springform pan that I bought for mini cheesecakes.

Mix and match the cakes and frostings

This is the best part, you can mix and match the frostings with the cake layers! If I were to make one for myself, I would probably do the banana cake with the chocolate frosting and maybe even swap out the banana for pureed pumpkin. Pumpkin + chocolate = my fav.

Pro tip: add sprinkles to the strawberry cake for a funfetti strawberry cake.

How to store smash cakes

The smash cake should be stored in the refrigerator since it’s made with cream cheese frosting. You can bring it out to room temperature 1-3 hours before it’s time to smash.

Thanks so much for reading today’s post, if you have any questions just comment down below. Make sure to write in the comment section because I can’t reply in the rating section:).

If you make any of these smash cake recipes, I would love to see them so make sure to tag me @baranbakery on instagram. Let me know if you mixed and matched the frostings and cakes or stuck to the original recipe.

As always, have a blessed day and happy baking!

Love, B

Chocolate Smash Cake Recipe

Bernice Baran

Refined sugar free chocolate smash cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting.

4.61 from 61 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 20

Additional Time 30

Total Time 1 20

Course Layer Cakes

Cuisine American

Servings smash cake

Calories 1840 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

2/3 cup (80g) cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
2 Tbsp (10g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp (4g) baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup (100g) applesauce banana or pumpkin
1/4 cup (78g) maple syrup
1 large egg room temperature
1/4 cup (56g) Greek Yogurt room temperature

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz cream cheese
2 Tbsp (37g) maple syrup
1-2 Tbsp (5-10g) unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions

Chocolate Cake

Preheat the oven to 350F (177C) convection or 325F (163C) conventional and grease and line three 4 inch pans (or 1-2 6-inch pans) with baking spray and parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt and set aside.
2/3 cup (80g) cups all-purpose flour, 2 Tbsp (10g) unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp (4g) baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt
In another bowl, whisk together the applesauce, maple syrup, egg, and yogurt until they’re completely smooth.
1/2 cup (100g) applesauce, 1/4 cup (78g) maple syrup, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup (56g) Greek Yogurt
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold just until they’re combined.
Distribute the batter evenly into the three pans, about 4 oz per pan and bake for approximately 18-20 minutes, until the center springs back when you press on it.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Use an electric mixer, at high speed, to cream the cream cheese until it's fluffy.
8 oz cream cheese
Add the maple syrup and cocoa powder and beat until it's well combined.
2 Tbsp (37g) maple syrup, 1-2 Tbsp (5-10g) unsweetened cocoa powder
Spread 1/4 of the frosting on the first layer, repeat with the second layer and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Then use the second half of the frosting to frost the outside.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 1840kcalCarbohydrates: 234gProtein: 42gFat: 87gSaturated Fat: 48gPolyunsaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 418mgSodium: 1895mgFiber: 14gSugar: 121g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Strawberry Smash Cake Recipe

Bernice Baran

Refined sugar free strawberry smash cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting.

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 20

Additional Time 30

Total Time 1 20

Course Layer Cakes

Cuisine American

Servings smash cake

Calories 1600 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Strawberry Cake

3/4 cup (90g) cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
2 Tbsp ground freeze dried strawberries
1 tsp (4g) baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup (59mL) orange juice or lemon juice
1/2 cup (100g) applesauce
2 Tbsp (39g) maple syrup
1 large egg room temperature
1/4 cup (56g) Greek Yogurt room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 medium strawberries diced (2 large or 1 giant) *optional

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz cream cheese
2 Tbsp (37g) maple syrup
2 Tbsp ground freeze dried strawberries

Instructions

Strawberry Cake

Preheat the oven to 350F (177C) convection or 325F (163C) conventional and grease and line three 4 inch pans (or 1-2 6-inch pans) with baking spray and parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, freeze dried strawberries, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside.
3/4 cup (90g) cups all-purpose flour, 2 Tbsp ground freeze dried strawberries, 1 tsp (4g) baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt
In another bowl, whisk together the juice, apple sauce, maple syrup, egg, yogurt, and vanilla until they’re completely smooth.
1/4 cup (59mL) orange juice, 1/2 cup (100g) applesauce, 2 Tbsp (39g) maple syrup, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup (56g) Greek Yogurt, 1 tsp vanilla extract
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold just until they’re combined.
Fold in the strawberries until they're evenly distributed.
3 medium strawberries
Distribute the batter evenly into the three pans, about 4.5 oz per pan and bake for approximately 18-20 minutes, until the center springs back when you press on it.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Use an electric mixer, at high speed, to cream the cream cheese until it's fluffy. Add the maple syrup and freeze dried strawberries and beat until it's well combined.
8 oz cream cheese, 2 Tbsp (37g) maple syrup, 2 Tbsp ground freeze dried strawberries
Spread 1/4 of the frosting on the first layer, repeat with the second layer and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Then use the second half of the frosting to frost the outside.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 1600kcalCarbohydrates: 176gProtein: 37gFat: 85gSaturated Fat: 48gPolyunsaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 418mgSodium: 2204mgFiber: 6gSugar: 87g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Banana Smash Cake Recipe

Bernice Baran

Refined sugar free banana bread smash cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

4.78 from 18 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 20

Additional Time 30

Total Time 1 20

Course Layer Cakes

Cuisine American

Servings smash cake

Calories 1647 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Banana Cake

3/4 cup (90g) cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp (4g) baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup (125g) banana or applesauce or pumpkin, mashed
1/4 cup (78g) maple syrup
1 large egg room temperature
1/4 cup (56g) Greek Yogurt room temperature

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz cream cheese
2 Tbsp (37g) maple syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Banana Cake

Preheat the oven to 350F (177C) convection or 325F (163C) conventional and grease and line three 4 inch pans (or 1-2 6-inch pans) with baking spray and parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside.
3/4 cup (90g) cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp (4g) baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt
In another bowl, whisk together the banana, maple syrup, egg and yogurt, until they’re completely smooth.
1/2 cup (125g) banana, 1/4 cup (78g) maple syrup, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup (56g) Greek Yogurt
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold just until they’re combined.
Distribute the batter evenly into the three pans, about 4 oz per pan and bake for approximately 18-20 minutes, until the center springs back when you press on it.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Use an electric mixer, at high speed, to cream the cream cheese until it's fluffy. Add the maple syrup and cinnamon and beat until it's well combined.
8 oz cream cheese, 2 Tbsp (37g) maple syrup, 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Spread 1/4 of the frosting on the first layer, repeat with the second layer and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Then use the second half of the frosting to frost the outside.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 1647kcalCarbohydrates: 192gProtein: 37gFat: 84gSaturated Fat: 48gPolyunsaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 418mgSodium: 1890mgFiber: 6gSugar: 95g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

I tested the chocolate recipe ahead of my daughter’s first birthday so that I would know if it was a good cake or not.

This was a very, very good cake. “I’m mad about it” good. Not too sweet, but still sweet enough to go “this is a cake”. I honestly prefer it to full sugar cakes by far.

I didn’t do the frosting portion because it was just to test out the flavor / bake, but they were perfect in my small 4 inch spring forms. I might split it between all four pans rather than three since I got a lot of fluffy rise on my bake, but all of my ingredients were very fresh, including the baking powder.

My one suggestion for those doing the chocolate cake; sift the dry ingredients in, especially if you have some clumpy cocoa powder since I found a few bits in my batter that weren’t fully incorporated since I didn’t want to overmix. My cocoa powder was definitely a bit on the clumpy side and I just smashed the big clumps instead of properly sifting.

24 Comments

4.61 from 61 votes (61 ratings without comment)

Smash Cake Recipe