Smash Cake

Smash Cake Supplies — Everything in One Place

A smash cake is a small individual cake given to a baby or toddler to dig into with their hands — usually for a first birthday or cake smash photo session. The cake sits alongside a larger celebration cake for the rest of the family. Getting the look right means soft pastel colours, gentle textures and the kind of dreamy aesthetic that photographs beautifully. Here is everything you need to pull it off.

The Smash Cake Mallet

No smash cake shoot is complete without the Smash Cake Wooden Mallet by Cake Craft ($1.95). It is small, safe and the perfect prop for that iconic hammering moment. Stock up — they make brilliant party favours and photoshoot accessories.

The Right Cake Tin

Smash cakes are intentionally small — a 5-inch round is the sweet spot. The Mondo Round Cake Pan 5x4 Inches ($15.95) is the go-to size: deep enough for two generous layers with a buttercream fill, small enough to look perfectly proportioned for a little one. For a matching tiered setup alongside the main celebration cake, pair it with a larger round from our cake tins collection.

Pastel Food Colouring

The smash cake aesthetic lives or dies on colour. Dusty pastels — blush pink, mint, lilac, butter yellow — are far more photogenic than bright primaries. The Colour Mill Aqua Fairytale 6 Pack ($39.95) is purpose-built for this look, giving you six coordinated pastel shades in one kit. For buttercream and ganache, use the Colour Mill Oil Based Fairytale 6 Pack ($39.95) instead — oil-based colouring blends into fat-based frostings without splitting. Browse the full food colouring range for individual shades.

Sprinkles and Pearls

A scattering of pastel sprinkles on top or around the base adds texture and softness. The Sprinks Bubble Bubble range is ideal for smash cakes — round, smooth pearls that catch the light beautifully in photos:

• Sprinks Pastel Pink Bubble Bubble Sprinkles 65g — $7.50
• Sprinks Pastel Blue Bubble Bubble Sprinkles 65g — $7.50
• Sprinks Pastel Green Bubble Bubble Sprinkles 65g — $6.95
• Sprinks Pearl White Bubble Bubble Sprinkles 75g — $8.95
• Sprinks Pastel & Gold Bubble Bubble Sprinkles 75g — $8.95

Browse the full edible pearls collection for more options.

Edible Flowers

Pressed edible flowers are one of the most popular smash cake finishes — delicate, natural-looking and completely safe for babies. A few blooms scattered across the top of a naked or semi-naked cake creates a beautiful botanical look that photographs wonderfully. Browse our edible flowers collection for dried and pressed varieties.

Piping Supplies

Simple swirl or star piping on a smash cake requires minimal equipment. Grab a piping bag and a large round or star tip — the Wilton 1M is a smash cake favourite for those classic tall rosette swirls. Keep the piping simple: smash cakes are supposed to look rustic and playful, not over-worked.

Smash Cake Ideas by Style

Naked Smash Cake

Skip the crumb coat and let the layers show. Rustic and effortless, the naked style is one of the most popular for smash cake shoots. Use a pastel-tinted sponge (Colour Mill Fairytale shades work perfectly inside the cake batter) and finish with edible flowers and a dusting of icing sugar. No piping required.

Buttercream Swirl Smash Cake

A classic white or pastel buttercream covered in Bubble Bubble sprinkles is a timeless choice. Use a large round tip to pipe tall rosettes across the top and finish with pearl sprinkles for shimmer. Works beautifully in both studio and outdoor settings.

Gender Reveal Smash Cake

A plain white exterior hides a pink or blue interior — the baby smashes into the cake to reveal the colour. Use Colour Mill Aqua or Oil-based pink and blue inside the batter. Match the exterior sprinkles to keep the reveal a surprise until the first hit.

Boho Smash Cake

Earthy tones — terracotta, dusty rose, sage green — with pressed edible flowers and a semi-naked finish. Pairs beautifully with outdoor photoshoot settings and earthy cake smash themes.

Smash Cake FAQ

What size is a smash cake?

A smash cake is typically 5 inches (13cm) in diameter and 3–4 inches tall. This is small enough to look proportioned for a baby but large enough to create a dramatic smash. The Mondo Round 5x4 inch tin is the ideal size for a two-layer smash cake.

What flavour is best for a smash cake?

A simple vanilla or vanilla bean sponge is the most popular choice — it takes food colouring well in the batter and has a soft, easy-to-smash texture. Avoid dense cakes like mud cake or fruit cake, which are too firm for little hands and may contain alcohol or ingredients unsuitable for babies.

Is food colouring safe for babies?

Yes, the food colouring sold at Baking Pleasures is food-grade and safe for babies in the small quantities used in cake batter and frosting. Colour Mill colouring is highly concentrated, so you only need a few drops — making it one of the safest choices for a smash cake intended for a one-year-old.

Can I use the smash cake tin for the main celebration cake?

You can, but the 5x4 inch tin is quite small for a group. Most people bake the smash cake separately in the small tin and use a larger 8 or 9 inch round for the main celebration cake. Browse our full cake tins and pans range for all sizes.

What sprinkles are best for a smash cake?

Round bubble sprinkles are ideal for smash cakes — they photograph beautifully, have a soft pastel look and don't have sharp edges. The Sprinks Bubble Bubble range in pastel pink, blue, green and pearl white are our most popular choices for cake smash photoshoots.

Do you deliver smash cake supplies across Australia?

Yes — Baking Pleasures ships Australia-wide. You can also visit our store in Tweed Heads NSW to shop in person. We stock smash cake supplies year-round, not just seasonally.