First Birthday Smash Cake (with Yogurt Frosting)

Step 1

Place 1½ cups whole milk yogurt in a sieve or fine-mesh strainer lined with a paper towel with a bowl underneath. Let sit for 30 minutes or up to overnight, covered in the fridge. (This helps ensure that the frosting is nice and thick.)

Step 2

Transfer the yogurt to a bowl and stir in 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 4

Trace one 5-inch cake pans onto parchment paper and cut out three times to make the rounds. Trim slightly to fit inside the bottom of each pan.

Step 5

Grease three 5-inch cake pans with nonstick spray and place a round of parchment inside of each. Grease again.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 7

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour mixture and stir until just combined.

Step 8

Divide the batter evenly between prepared cake pans, using about 1⅓ cups batter in each pan.

Step 9

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 22-26 minutes. Remove from oven and place pans onto a wire rack. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then carefully invert to cool fully. Discard parchment paper rounds.

Step 10

To assemble, place one cake on your serving plate. Top with about ⅓-½ cup of frosting, spreading it in an even layer just past the edges. Add the second, repeat with frosting, and then repeat with the third cake . Use an offset spatula or knife to scrape off the frosting overhang for a "naked" cake look, or use additional frosting to coat the entire cake.

Step 11

Top with berries and serve...as in, let the birthday kiddo dig in!