Healthier First Birthday Cake Ideas

Parents are often looking for a healthy alternative to the standard, sugary, preservative-filled birthday cake for their baby’s introduction to the wonderful traditions of birthdays. We’ve heard from parents looking for ways to buy an egg-free cake, to those seeking recipes for “healthy” cakes, or even whether to make/buy two cakes (one for Baby, one for adults).

To answer the last question first – there is no reason to create extra work for yourself, make or buy one cake, relax and congratulate yourself for making it through the first year! Most people will be gracious guests and enjoy whatever is served. And let’s not lose sight of the real reason for the birthday cake - THE PHOTO. We do it all for the precious scrapbook shot of your cake-faced little one delighting in being the life of the party!

Here are some ideas that keep the tradition of the birthday cake treat, but add some healthy twists (you can use these ideas for any age!):

Egg-free: If your baby has not been introduced to whole eggs by their first birthday, this is probably not the occasion to give them a try. Many egg substitutes contain eggs, so to be safe, look for cake and frosting mixes labeled “vegan” which are free of all animal products. You’ll need to go to a health food store to find these products. Or jump on the Internet, Vegan Baker is one company that offers cake and frosting mixes. If baking is not for you, many urban cities also have vegan bakeries too – check the Yellow Pages or ask someone at a vegetarian restaurant.

Healthier cake flavors: If you decided on a traditional layer cake or cupcakes, there are healthier cakes choices over the standard white or chocolate layer cake varieties. Some cake flavors to consider include banana cake, applesauce cake or carrot cake. Cakes than contain fruit usually have less sugar. Made from scratch, a mix or from a bakery, they are a step up on the healthy scale.

Frosting: You must have frosting for the photo! Healthier frosting choices can include organic yogurt thickened with cream cheese or a traditional cream cheese frosting. The ultimate substitute for sugar-laden buttercream is whipped cream. Homemade whipped cream is pretty simple to make and just a couple tablespoons of sugar will sweeten it.

Homemade Whipped Cream
* 1 cup of heavy cream
* 2 Tbsp sugar
* 1 tsp vanilla

Directions: Chill the heavy cream for 24 hours in your refrigerator. Pour heavy cream in a chilled, large, deep bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat the cream on high until it thickens. Add the vanilla and sugar, and continue beating until soft peaks form. To test the whipped cream, stop the mixer and pull up the beaters, if the cream forms little mountains that stand up, then the whipped cream is done. Makes 2 cups and must be refrigerated.

Forego the frosting: You don’t really need frosting to have a good time. Make an applesauce cake and dust it with powdered sugar. To jazz up the look, make or buy a stencil and lay it on the top of the cake. Using powdered sugar and a sifter, dust the top of the cake. Carefully remove the stencil – Viola! An impressive presentation and low in sugar too!

Go for cool: While a Mississippi Mud Pie is not a healthy ice cream choice, you can make or buy a frozen yogurt cake. Many ice cream shops also have wonderful choices in fruit sorbets too. A cake made with frozen vanilla yogurt and mango sorbet is a great treat for all ages.

About the Author Managing Partner and Editor-in-Chief at one of the best social networking and lifestyle sites for moms, EverythingMom.com. Trying to balance life at home with my 3 kids (all under 8), while building my business, working at EverythingMom.com and developing my writing. Oh and throw a load of laundry in and a dinner that isn't burnt. Wasn't working from home suppose to be easier? Posted by Carrie Anne in diet on February 26, 2010 More from this author  |  Author Website Follow Carrie Anne on:  |  |  |

Comments  

 

0 # Ivy Larson 2010-03-29 04:19

Great article Cheryl! I've been making my little munchkin's b-day cakes from scratch ever since he was a baby. He just turned 9 March 15 and here's the recipe I made this year (managed to sneak in antioxidant-rich prunes, extra virgin coconut oil and white whole wheat flour---which, btw, has the same nutritional properties as regular whole wheat flour but tastes and bakes like the conventional white stuff!)

Happy Healthy Chocolate Birthday Cake
Serves: 12

Cake

3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon good quality instant espresso
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (such as Ghirardeli)
30 pitted prunes
3 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil (such as Barleans) plus more for greasing pans
12 organic, free-range eggs
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour (such as King Arthur Flour)
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
1 cup good quality unsweetened cocoa (such as Ghirardeli)
3 Granny Smith apple, unpeeled, finely chopped
1 cups finely chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Coat three 9-inch round cake pans with extra virgin coconut oil.

Pour the water into a small saucepan and heat over medium-high. Add the instant espresso and chocolate chips stirring to blend all ingredients. When chocolate melts, add the prunes and reduce the heat to low. Gently cook for 1 minute to soften the prunes. Add the oil. Remove saucepan from the heat and set mixture aside to cool.
Place the eggs in a blender and process for 1 minute, or until pale yellow and frothy. Add the vanilla extract and chocolate-prune mixture; process for an additional minute, or until prunes are completely pureed.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and cocoa. Add the egg mixture and stir to combine. Stir in the chopped apples and pecans. Pour the batter into the prepared pans. Bake in the center of the oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Remove the cake from the oven, immediately run a knife around the inside rim and set aside to cool. Set cakes on a wire rack and let cool for at least 2 hours before frosting.

Whipped Cream Topping

1 cup organic grass-fed whipping cream (such as Natural by Nature)
2 tablespoons white sugar

Pour the whipping cream into a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, whip the cream until soft peaks begin to form, about 2-3 minutes. Add the sugar and beat for several more seconds.

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