1st Birthday Cake Boy Recipe : Sky Blue Vanilla Cake with Teddy & Blocks Theme
1st Birthday Cake Recipe – Sky Blue Vanilla Cake with Teddy & Blocks Theme
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Cake (3 layers, 8-inch)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs, room temperature
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature
Optional Fruit Layer (for inside cake)
3/4 cup raspberry jam or puree (seedless preferred)
For Vanilla Buttercream
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
5–6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3–4 tbsp milk or heavy cream
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Sky-blue gel food coloring (Wilton or AmeriColor recommended)
Fondant (white, sky-blue, pastel colors)
Silver or white “1” cake topper
Fondant teddy bear (buy or make ahead)
Fondant building blocks (A-B-C or with child’s name)
Small toy car (optional)
Cloud/star cutouts (fondant or piped royal icing)
Ribbon for cake board (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans.
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium until light and fluffy, ~3–4 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla.
Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with dry. Mix until just combined.
Divide batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
2. Make the Buttercream
Beat butter on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time.
Add vanilla, salt, and milk/cream until smooth and fluffy.
Tint a portion with sky-blue gel food coloring; leave some white for accents if desired.
3. Assemble the Cake
Level cooled cake layers.
Spread buttercream between each layer. Optionally, add a thin raspberry jam layer.
Crumb coat the cake (thin layer of frosting), chill 30 minutes.
Apply final coat of sky-blue buttercream or fondant.
4. Decorate
Place the large “1” topper at the center.
Arrange fondant teddy bear, blocks (with initials or “1”), and toy elements around the base or top.
Add small stars, clouds, or pastel balloon shapes.
Wrap a satin ribbon around the bottom for polish.
Add name to cake board or a block.
Tips
Make-Ahead: Bake the cake layers the day before and chill; decorate on the day of the party.
Storage: Keeps well for 2–3 days in the fridge. Bring to room temp before serving.
Smash Cake: Use extra batter to bake a 4″ mini cake for baby to smash—same flavor, same theme.
Serving: Slice with a warm knife for cleaner cuts; serve with berries or milk for little ones.
Would you like a visual design sketch of the cake layout (teddy, blocks, topper, etc.)? I can create one for you.