Baby Cake Smash Alternatives for Photo Session

Hillarry Pitts
Nov 4 · 2 min read
Photo by Silver Bee Photography

The one-year birthday cake smash is one of my favorite trends over the past few years. As cute as they are, though, there are many kids who are picky eaters, babies who have allergies, or parents who are just looking for other unique options. Well you’re in luck! You can replace the cake with just about anything you think your tiny tot will enjoy, but these are some of my favorites!

1. Watermelon — This is a great one for summer-themed birthdays! Cut a whole watermelon into quarters (lengthwise), and put one large quarter in front of baby to dig into. Because it’s so large, many babies dive headfirst to take a bite, and I can’t help but laugh every time!

2. Pie — Banana cream pie is usually a huge hit with babies. It’s a flavor they’re familiar with, and the texture is smooth and creamy, which makes for fun smashing and lots of eating. If you want to cut down on the sugar, make your own with a natural sweetener alternative. Or, just do banana pudding with sugar-free whip cream on top!

3. Donuts or Pancakes — These are super cute in photoshoots, and they’re foods that baby might already be familiar with. If your little one is a picky eater or doesn’t like trying new things, these might be a hit.

Photo by Silver Bee Photography

4. Spaghetti & Meatballs or Ribs — Want to go the savory route? A chef theme with spaghetti and meatballs makes for some pretty priceless images. Even if they don’t end up eating much, noodles are cheap, and they’re fun to squish! BBQ Ribs are just cute with such a mess and of course a staple for Austin TX!

5. Cupcake — Instead of buying an entire cake that your little one might not eat, a single cupcake is super cute in photos (and sometimes less daunting for your sweet nugget). We can add in lots of fun cupcake props to embellish the theme even more.

6. Healthy “Cake” — Want the look of a cake without the sugar? Try a recipe that uses whole wheat or almond flour instead of all-purpose or maybe applesauce as a sweetener. There are SO many recipes out there to try!

Hillarry Pitts

Written by

Austin Texas photographer specializing in maternity, newborn and baby photography. Visit https://www.silverbeephotography.com for current work.

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