Let Them Eat Cake! Local Treats for Your Little One’s First Birthday

You blinked…and now your baby is turning one. If you’re looking to celebrate with a special cake just for the guest of honor, we’ve rounded up local bakeries that will make you a miniature cake for the occasion. All you have to do is let your baby dig in (and clean up the mess)!

Photo: Natalia Santana via Flickr

For a big bash that calls for a theme cake and a smash cake…
Creative Cakes
If you are entertaining a big crowd and want to serve your guests a festive slice of cake as well, check out Creative Cakes, a local institution that has been around for over thirty years.  When you order a sheet cake, you get a matching 6” smash cake for baby for $20.  Flavors include vanilla, chocolate almond, mandarin orange and red velvet and dozens of other specialty cake and frosting flavors.

8814 Brookville Rd. (Silver Spring, Md)
Online: creativecakes.com

For mini cakes for all the guests…
Rare Sweets
The founder of Rare Sweets honed her craft at Magnolia Bakery and as Pastry Chef at Craft Restaurant. Now she serves up lovely treats at Rare Sweets, including the 3” mini cakes ($6) that are the perfect size for little hands. We’re sure your adult sized guests will be fans as well. Flavors include classic yellow as well as spicy chocolate and toasted marshmallow and hummingbird and cream cheese.

963 Palmer Alley, NW (City Center)
Online: raresweets.com

For a wee cake from a community focused bakery…
JennyCakes Bakery
JennyCakes is a beloved bakery in Kensington, Maryland that is deeply committed to supporting local schools and charities.  The bakery offers a perfectly sized 4” birthday cake for baby, priced at $18.  Flavors include classic yellow, coconut almond and cookies and cream.  Vegan and gluten-free products are also available.

10419 Armory Ave. (Kensington, Md)
Online: jennycakesbakery.net

For a smash cake from an award winning bakery…
Fluffy Thoughts Cakes
Fluffy Thoughts has been featured on the Martha Stewart Top Pastry Pros List as well as in the Food Network’s Best in Show: Cakes. You can order baby’s smash cake, priced at $25 with a 48 hour notice (for all of the procrastinators out there…wink-wink).

1320 Old Chain Bridge Rd. (McLean, Va)
Online: fluffythoughts.com

For a free and easy solution…
Harris Teeter
What could be easier than picking up your party spread and cake while doing some one stop shopping? Sign up at the Customer Service Counter at Harris Teeter and enjoy your baby’s first birthday cake for free.  You’ll receive a coupon for a free 5-inch “Patti-Cake.”

Variouslocations across the DC-MD-VA region
Online: .harristeeter.com

For the non-cake eaters…
The Dolce Kitchen
They are a rare breed, but there are some bambinos who cake is just too sweet for. If that sounds familiar, opt for a creamy, not-too-sweet mini flan from this Frederick, Maryland bakery. The creamy, custard dessert ($48 for case of 12) will surely illicit gummy grins from your birthday babe.

Various locations across the DMV
Online:  thedolcekitchen.com

And don’t forget the party favors…
CakeLove In A Jar
While your guests will love celebrating cake smashing for the little one, we bet that that they’d like to tuck their cake into their pocket to savor later.  From the bakery that brought you cupcakes before the cupcake craze, enter CakeLove in a Jar, a single serving of cake and cream cheese icing in a resealable, portable jar (Twenty-four 2oz jars or twelve 4oz jars for $47.99).

Available at various groceries in the DMV (check website for details) and online
Online: cakelove.com

Does (or did) your baby have a smash cake for their first birthday? Tell us about it in the comments.

–Monica Nelson