How do most of you make a "smash" cake for a 1 year old - just a single layer or 2 layers filled? How much detail do you do for the decorations, if any...

Thanks!

I usually just make a single layer 6" round cake. ice it like the bigger one, but with less details. I like them to sorta match. hth some people use 4" round cakes.

Thanks...I've usually made a 2 layer but have been thinking that's pretty silly when it's just going to be smashed up! I'd rather spend more time on the "real" cake!

AOurs are single layer, 4", buttercream only done to mimic the "main" cake.

AWhats a smash cake...never heard of it.

AI torte a single tier 2" high 6" diameter cake. I fill it, usually with buttercream or the child's favorite yogurt.

AGiant cupcakes seem to be the most popular for cake smash's here in Australia.

I usually make a jumbo cupcake for a smash cake. I only bake for friends and family.

It is not a new trend. My dau. is 46 and she had one at her first b/d party. Also, my son. he is 44.

I'd never heard of them until I started stalking cake sites.  :-)

I've done just one (my avatar), and when I suggested the smash cake to the client (the parent of the child in question), I got a blank look and you could hear the crickets chirping in the background.  Once I explained it to her, she was quite excited.

It was a 6", 2-layer, which I think was too big.  Next time I'll go with a 4".  However, it was shared amongst the various other small children at the party, so it didn't go to waste.

I think it's a fun idea.  :-)

AOooh sounds like fun but a total waste of cake...I dont like wasting food but each to their own I guess

Well, once you've turned 51, "44" and "46" are "recent."

I do a 4" cake that is decorated in the same colors of the main cake.  The smash cake is free with the purchase of a larger cake.  I have had clients that wanted more detail-so I charge for the additional detail.  Parents like these for the photos of messy little faces of their one year old!
 

AI bake for friends and iwork in a grocery store bakery, we do a 4 inch single layer for the birthday child and usually cupcakes for the guest all decorated in a theme. I do make the decorations on the smash cake more elaborate. They all love them. :D

Thanks so much  - good to know what the "trends" are in the toddler cake arena!  @hbquik - I agree completely...these parties can be totally out of control.

Personally, I never heard of a smash cake until we moved south to Georgia 12 years ago from Ohio. Our DGD's, ages 11 and 6, never had such a thing.

I've done this just once before. Instead of baking a separate cake, I stacked the leveled-off tops of several layers of the main cake and cut a round piece from it. Then I filled and iced as usual. This worked out perfectly since the smash cake doesn't need to be too big AND less food to waste.

That's a great idea, mezmeriize!!!!! Although my DGD's would really holler if they didn't have their "cake pillows" to feast on after I've leveled!

This is about as gussied up as I'll go, and I couldn't resist dolling it up a bit further for this particular client because she is just awesomesauce. It's free with a tiered 1st b-day cake. Anything beyond what you see would incur charges. (Flowers not included, nor the freakishly cute tiny stand) :D

Beautiful, AZCouture!  You really did go all out!  In fact, that's so pretty that I don't think I'll even post the ones I just made! Great work.
 

AThanks!

Mine are usually for photo shoots so they're 4" tall and some get very detailed. I did an Alice in Wonderland themed smash cake recently that had all kinds of details on it. The photographer photoshopped the baby onto the cake in a few spots and it ended up super cute. I do charge accordingly though.

I see that some of you have made a 2 layer smash cake.  I am making the jumbo cupcake this week for a smash cake.  The cupcake tin  I am using bakes a top and a bottom layer, hopefully some of you are familiar with this type of pan, my question is should I put supports in and a cake board between layers?  It is going to be in a photo session, I am afraid using supports could be ugly in the pics, not to mention dangerous for the child.  I would appreciate any advice or suggestions on this topic.  Thanks!

I've done the giant cupcake and don't put supports in it. I just put some frosting in between the top and bottom and call it good. 

Thank you so much for the quick response!  I thought it would be okay, I haven't seen the pan yet, so I just didn't know for sure how big it would be.  I haven't ever made the jumbo cupcake, so this will be my first one.  Thanks again for the help!

Thanks again for the help, the cake was a great success.  I had to make two of them, one for the party and one for photos, they both turned out great!

First one the wrapper is piped on, and the second image is a candy melt wrapper, which I loved!

AI still think "smash cake" sounds like something that would happen in the course of one of Leo Gallagher's "Sledge-O-Matic" bits. ("Pound cake? I guess it DOES!")