A 1st birthday cake is usually a small bento cake with the number one, the baby’s name and a favourite character: a teddy bear, a giraffe, a unicorn or a bunny. The main thing to decide up front is whether the cake is just for the photos or for the guests as well, as that determines the size. At Vanilla Cake in Baku, first birthday cakes start at 25 ₼ and the lettering is free. Below you will find design ideas, help with choosing the size, lettering options and tips for the photoshoot.
First birthday cake ideas
The first birthday cake is the most requested design among our kids’ bento cakes. A typical design combines three things: a number, a name and a character. A few themes from our catalogue:
- A big number one. It becomes the main element of the design: on the cake with a giraffe and a blue number one, for example, the number is the largest detail and the name is written on the bunting above.
- The name on bunting. We put one letter on each little flag, so the cake looks festive even without the words “Happy birthday”.
- Teddy bears. Soft beige and brown tones suit both boys and girls. On the teddy bear in a party hat holding a balloon, the number on the balloon can be anything from one to five, so the same design will work for the next few birthdays too.
- Giraffes, bunnies and other animals. Take the bunny in a flower crown reaching for a balloon: one of our calmest children’s designs, with hardly any colour.
- A unicorn, flowers and butterflies are a classic for a girl’s first birthday: for example, a pale blue cake with “1 year” in pink and touches of gold.
- A favourite cartoon character. If your little one already has a favourite, send us a picture: we will draw that character on the cake or swap it into any design from the catalogue.
- No characters at all. If you would rather skip cartoon characters, try a wreath of white daisies and greenery with “12 months” in the middle: pretty and understated.
You will find themes for older children, such as cars, space and cartoon characters, in our article on kids’ birthday bento cakes.
Which size to choose: a cake for photos or for guests
The size of a first birthday cake depends not on the baby but on who will be sitting at the table. Parents often go for the small size: it is there for the photos and for mum and dad. If the cake will be the main treat at a party with guests, count the adults:
| Size | Weight | Serves | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 300–350 g | 1–2 people | 25 ₼ | a photoshoot with the baby, a small family celebration |
| Medium | 750–800 g | 3–4 people | 35 ₼ | parents and grandparents |
| Large | 1200–1500 g | 7–8 people | 60 ₼ | a birthday party at home with guests |
The price depends only on the size: a cake with a detailed giraffe costs the same as a cake of the same size with just a line of text. We pack the small cake for 1–2 people in a white clamshell bento box, and its piped cream border runs along the top only; on the medium and large cakes the border can also go around the base.
What to write on a first birthday cake
Lettering is free, in English, Russian or Azerbaijani. For a first birthday two or three words are usually enough: the name and the age. A few options:
- “1 year” or “1 today”: short and easy to read in any photo;
- “Aylin is one”: the name and the age;
- “Happy 1st birthday” or “One year old”: simple and classic;
- “My first birthday”: from the baby;
- “Our first year”: from the parents;
- “1 yaş” in Azerbaijani or “1 годик” in Russian;
- “12 months”: if you have been ordering a cake for every month.
In the online cake builder you can add up to three lines of text and pick the lettering colour. Our collection of cake lettering ideas has more wording for every occasion.
A cake for the photoshoot or a smash cake session
Many parents arrange a first birthday photoshoot, at home or in a studio, sometimes as a smash cake session where the baby gets to “meet” the cake with their hands. The small cake for 1–2 people is just right for this: it fits easily into the frame next to the baby, and you can order a separate cake for the guests. A few tips:
- Match the cream to the backdrop. The builder offers 19 cream colours, so pick the one that goes with the balloons, the backdrop or the baby’s outfit.
- A big number and short lettering. They stay readable in photos even from a distance, while small text gets lost in the frame.
- A photo on the cake. We can print a picture in edible ink, for example two Polaroid-style shots: the baby in their first days and at one year. It costs the same as a regular bento, and you can see ready-made examples in our photo bento cakes section.
A first birthday cake to finish your monthly series
If you have photographed your baby with a new cake every month, the first birthday cake becomes the final shot of the series. We will make it in the same style: the same background, with only the number or the lettering changing to “1 year”, “1 yaş” or “12 months”. Our article on monthly baby cakes explains how to plan a series like this from the very first month.
Here are a few ready-made first birthday designs. We can make any of them in the size you need and with your baby’s name:
How to order a 1st birthday cake in Baku
We only take pre-orders and make every cake for a specific date. To make ordering quick, have these details ready:
- the design: from the catalogue, based on your picture or built in the cake builder;
- the size: by the number of guests, or two sizes if the cake is for both the photos and the table;
- the baby’s name, the wording and its language;
- the sponge and filling: vanilla, chocolate or red velvet, following the “1 sponge + 1 filling” rule;
- the date, time and how you will get the cake: delivery across Baku or collection.
The order form offers dates from two days ahead, and before holidays it is best to get in touch even earlier. Sunday is our day off, and on Monday the earliest collection or delivery time is 17:00, so keep that in mind if the birthday falls on a Monday.
You can send the order from any cake’s page or message us directly on WhatsApp at +994 55 215 63 43.
First birthday cake FAQ
What size cake do I need for a first birthday?
How much is a first birthday cake?
Can I change the character or the number in a catalogue design?
Can the first birthday cake match our monthly cakes?
How far in advance should I order a first birthday cake?
A good first birthday cake is a number, a name and a character you will enjoy seeing in the photos for years. Decide whether the cake is for the photos, for the guests or for both, choose a design, and we will have it ready for your date.
