I wish I could be as motivated as you!

Ist birthday parties are great because they are still little enough that you get to choose the theme *assuming you want a theme) and it can be anything you like or that you think suits them. Farm animal, wild animals, baby shark, butterflies, Paddington etc.. from 2 on they’ll pretty much have their own ideas of what they like lol

I like the number 1 cakes that people make, they always look lovely and in photos you know what birthday it was when you look back. You could do a character cake, it’s really easy to get nice cake toppers in the design that they would like. Amazon and Temu are good for those.

Maybe just take note of what she likes the most during that year and tailor your cake designs and colours towards that. My miss 4 asked for a black cake with sprinkles last year, so that’s what she got. This year she’s asking for a pink cake. They love seeing their visions come to life.

I love the coles/woolies mudcake hack page. I always look there for inspo.

I always go back to the trusty Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake book! I’m not the best cook, but they are easy to follow!

One of my fave cakes as a kid was the classic Barbie dress cake, with the doll stuck in the middle. Sweet and easy.

First lap around the sun. Super cute ideas on Pinterest

Try get your hands on a women’s weekly cake recipe book or magazine. They are my go to!

I always made cakes based on what they absolutely loved at that age. What’s her favourite toy, show, book etc. the first cake in my pic was my daughter’s first. She loved Mickey mouse clubhouse. You’ll be surprised what you can achieve when you’re doing it for your babies. I never had any fancy cake stuff. Sometimes I’d just buy cake mixes…. They’re yummy and the kids don’t care as long as the cake is decorated well. Be creative with lollies, cookies etc. The ears minnne mouse are cookies and so are the wings on the plane. The polka dots are choc chips. The rocks are candy rock chocolate. The flowers are just bought from Woolies. As my kids got older, they drew designs and we would create the cakes together. It’s a great tradition to have

For the actual cake itself, Recipe Tin Eats has a great vanilla cake recipe and also a chocolate cake. Both are delicious and instructions are explained so well you can’t go wrong. You can also make and freeze ahead. There is a Woolies/Coles Mudcake Hacks facebook page where people share their creations using a pre bought woolies or coles cake. Another good option or even just inspo for decorating! There is also One Handed Cooks which have a few other cake and party options for kids if you don’t want to go full sugar blowout.

I went against the norm and gave my daughter a lasagne instead of a smash cake! But for an actual cake I did a woolies mudcake hack.

One year olds really do not have any idea about cakes …so keep it simple and stress free for you as well. Store bought sponge slab cut into a 1 shape and decorated as you wish, elaborate or minimal it’s your call and will be a hit.
Wishing you great success with what ever you choose and special birthday wishes to the little one. xx

I used to do this when I came across Cake 2 the Rescue, and now for parties, I purchase one of their kits to bake. Their kits give you everything but the fresh ingredients, and I mean everything – icing, fondant, cutters, pictured instructions even the box to bake the cake in. I’ve received so many compliments I am actually proud of my mediocre decorating skills. If we are not having a party I do get a sponge cake to decorate at home with fresh cream and fruit/chocolate.

We do themed ones for our daughter, depends on whatever cartoon she’s in at the time

Being 1 you really don’t have to go all out with expensive cakes. I made mini chocolate and vanilla cupcakes and coloured the icing in Wiggles colours. I also tried making panda cupcakes and some looked a bit unhappy ???? 1 year olds really don’t know what is going on so keep things simple so you are not stressed and you can enjoy this special birthday too

Sprinkles, lots of sprinkles. Can’t go wrong with that, they’ll just smash it up anyway and it’ll be a beautiful splash of colour.

I think a home baked cake is a great idea. Just start with a simple design, round or square, in my view the trick is in the icing and decorating.

Yay for 1st birthdays!! My boy was 1 in Feb. We just had a Wiggles theme as he is obsessed with the music. I can bake, although decorating can sometimes be a mission! I baked a chocolate cake (square). For the base, i baked two. Then also an extra one to cut out the number 1 and stick on top. I made buttercream for the icing and filling. Keep your cakes cool. It will help smooth the buttercream better. And if all else fails, stick a Wonder Woman figurine on the side to make it look like she saved the cake haha

A number ‘1’ is super simple. And its doesnt need to be fancy as she just wants to be loved and eat cake.