You made it! Your child’s first birthday is a monumental occasion, filled with joy, love, and nostalgia as you look back on the whirlwind first year. (Although if your little one is anything like mine, that whirlwind is still ongoing...)
And what's one of the best parts of this milestone? The birthday cake, of course!
You can always DIY, but hiring a baker can definitely take some pressure off this busy time. Having lived in Papamoa for a few years now and ordering cakes for both our family and my business, here are my recommendations for local bakeries as well as some other tips and tricks for choosing your cake.
Considerations:
First, decide- is this for a party, cake smash photoshoot or just for fun? This will impact your decisions about size, design and even flavours.
If you're only planning to have cake at the photoshoot or for a small family gathering, you definitely don't have to go all out on a big, multi-tier cake that could cost hundreds.
This probably goes without saying, but also don't plan on using the same cake from a cake smash to serve at a party! In this case, you might want to get two cakes: a special designed cake for the photos and a simpler, larger one to serve your guests.
If you are providing the cake for a cake smash photoshoot, be sure to coordinate colours and design themes with the photographer to match the backdrop, decorations, and even the clothes your little one will wear!
All my recommended bakers can provide gluten free, vegan and eggless cakes. Of course, be sure to discuss any concerns about allergies with your healthcare provider and the baker!
3 Personal Recommendations in Papamoa:
Paige did my daughter's cake for her birthday party. It was a huge hit! To match our Flopsy Bunny theme and feed 15 people, she did a 3-layer vanilla cake with lemon curd, decorated with simple pink frosting, daisies and carrots. This was definitely one of the softest, most delicious cakes I've had in a long time. The cost for this custom cake was $100, but it may vary.
Yes, this one is in the Mount but it's always worth the drive over. This is a 4" custom cake made in an pink ombre style with edible flowers, and it was $60 which is a super reasonable price. While small, this is more than enough for baby to taste and for parents to enjoy the leftovers! This bakery also has gluten free, eggless and vegan options. It's also a cafe with delicious coffee and scones!
You might not have known they do custom birthday cakes in addition to their wide range of cheesecakes and other treats. While I didn't get to have a taste of course, they did a fabulous job with the decorations in this cake smash: They offer vegan and eggless options, as well as a gluten free chocolate cake.
Need some design inspiration? Consider these options:
Animals: Cute animals like teddy bears, bunnies, or jungle creatures are always a hit.
Storybook characters: Cakes designed with beloved storybook characters can make for a magical experience: Winnie the Pooh, Peter Rabbit, even Harry Potter! It can be a subtle nod, such as the carrots on the cake I mentioned.
The number one: A cake shaped like the number one or adorned with a large number one on top is a classic choice. You can even find "cakes" made of cupcakes joined together in the 1 shape by frosting, which is convenient for parties!
Minimalist and elegant: Sometimes, simple is best. A beautifully frosted, one-colour cake with a touch of elegance can be just as impactful and suit a more toned-down photoshoot.
A last pro- tip: avoid chocolate icing for a cake smash! The cake itself can be chocolate but brown icing looks... less ideal for a photoshoot. Just trust me!
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