18 Places That Give You a Free Smash Cake for Your Baby’s 1st Birthday!
Get a free smash cake for your baby’s first birthday in 2025!
Searching “smash cakes near me”? These stores will give you a FREE smash cake for your baby’s first birthday cake; some don’t even require a purchase!
Hip Tip: Many websites don’t advertise this awesome freebie, so you may need to order in-store or over the phone.
What is a smash cake?
A smash cake is a small-sized cake meant for only your baby to enjoy on their first birthday. They’re often messy and so much fun for your little one! Oftentimes, this free first birthday cake is decorated to match your larger cake that guests will enjoy eating separately.
Check out these places that offer a FREE smash cake for first birthday parties (or just because):
Please note that most of these stores require a minimum purchase or a bakery purchase to snag this freebie. Some offers and locations may vary. To be sure this deal is available at your location, contact your local store to confirm before ordering. If one store in your area doesn’t have this policy, it’s worth trying a neighboring store!
1. Albertsons Market
Check with your local Albertsons regarding their policy. We spoke to a few locations, including one in Las Vegas, and you can score a FREE smash cake when you place a minimum bakery order of at least a quarter sheet cake or 8″ round. If your bakery is unfamiliar with the policy, you can try contacting guest services, to see if they can help you score the deal.
2. Barnes & Noble
Premium Rewards members can score a FREE birthday treat from the Barnes & Noble Café during your kiddo’s birthday week plus a Paper Source craft! Sign up for the Barnes & Noble Rewards program to receive your reward plus a ton of other perks. Birthday treats are valid for kids 12 and under. While it isn’t exactly a smash cake, it is included with membership ($39.99 per year), plus you’ll be able to reap many other new and exciting rewards like 10% off..
3. Festival Foods
Receive a FREE baby cake when ordering a quarter-inch or larger sheet cake. When ordering, click the “Free with Cake” box to get the deal. You’ll get to choose the flavor of the cake, too!
4. FredMeyer
FredMeyer often offers deals for a free 6″ smash cake when you place an order for any bakery sheet cake at FredMeyer (valued at $19.99). We were told the size of your baby’s smash cake will be slightly larger than a large Costco muffin, and you can choose between white or chocolate cake and buttercream or whipped frosting. Just be sure to place your order about 24-48 hours before you plan to pick up your cakes.
5. Giant Eagle
We spoke to the bakery representative at a Giant Eagle and you can score a smash cake along with your sheet cake order. The deal is not available online so place your order by phone or in-person. Availability may vary by location.
6. Giant Food Stores
With a quarter-inch sheet cake or larger purchase, you can score a FREE 7″ single-layer smash cake for your little one’s big day. Call as little as 24-48 hours before party day to get your order in!
7. The Fresh Market
It’s not technically a one-year-old cake smash, but The Fresh Market gives away a FREE slice to customers on their birthdays. To snag one for your celebration, visit The Fresh Market website and create a free account to join their Ultimate Loyalty Experience program
8. Hy-Vee
The Hy-Vee bakery associate we spoke to verify that any 1-year-old smash cake is free. Head in-store or call your local bakery to see if they honor this policy and if they have any additional requirements, like a minimum order amount, to get the deal.
9. Kowalski’s
Get a FREE 5″ single-layer chocolate or white smash cake with an order of $9.99 or more at Kowalski’s. Your smash cake will be finished off with delicious buttercream frosting and can be personalized with either pink or blue icing. Discounts will be applied at checkout.
10. Lund’s and Byerly’s
Purchase a 7-inch double-layer decorated cake or larger to score your FREE smash cake. While it’s still considered a cake, the size of it will be more equivalent to a large cupcake and should be ordered at least 72 hours in advance. Some locations may not participate, so be sure to double-check by calling.
11. Mariano’s
Hosting a birthday for your little one? Order a quarter-inch sheet cake or 8″ double layer or larger at Mariano’s. You’ll score a FREE 5″ single layer smash cake in chocolate or yellow for the baby that is decorated to look similar to the cake you’ll serve your guests. Mention this offer at checkout to ensure you get the deal. We called a few Mariano’s in 2025 and most of them knew of the policy.
12. Publix
When you order any cake that says “Happy 1st Birthday” on it, you can score a FREE 7″ single-layer round smash cake for your little one. The smash cake will be decorated to match your baby’s first birthday cake. Just make sure to order about 24 hours before you’d like to pick up your coordinating treats!
13. Stauffers of Kissel Hill
We spoke to Stauffers, who confirmed that you can score a FREE 5″ smash cake for your little one when you place an order of $30 or more! Orders must be placed within 48 hours or more before your celebration.
14. Super Target
As of 2025, the Super Target bakery (yes, those really do still exist in some locations!) offers a FREE smash cake with any purchase of any special-order dessert like cupcakes, round cakes, or sheet cake! Call your local bakery or stop by when in-store.
15. Thrifty Foods
At Thrifty Foods, they value the importance of family and want to help you celebrate milestone moments. Therefore, their bakery offers a totally FREE 8″x12″ first birthday cake on them! 😱 Cakes can be ordered by phone or in your local store and are available in pink, blue, or green.
Note that your child’s birth certificate is required upon pickup, and this deal is valid for one cake per child. Make sure to call at least 24 hours before you plan to pick up your order.
16. Tops
If you live in Pennsylvania, Vermont, or New York and have a Tops market with a bakery near you, you can score a smash cake completely FREE! We confirmed this is still a policy for 2025!
Head to the customer service desk at your local store and show them your baby’s birth certificate to receive a coupon for your free smash cake! Just be sure to do this at least 24 hours before you plan to pick up your cake.
17. United Supermarkets
Some United Supermarkets locations, complete with a bakery, offer a FREE smash cake when you place a minimum bakery order of at least a quarter sheet cake or 8″ round cake. Check with your local store to see if this is their policy. You can also call guest services, who just last year confirmed the policy was still in place and helped us score the deal!
18. Walmart
You’ll score a FREE smash cake at Walmart with a bakery when you place a special order for at least a half-sheet cake (or other specialty order or equivalent value). Just place your order on the phone or in person about a week in advance to ensure your cakes can be made on time. To get a peek at the smash cake, check out this recent Tik Tok.
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