Healthier
First Birthday Cake Ideas
By
Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers
www.FreshBaby.com
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!
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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 authors:
Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers are sisters,
the mothers of five children and founders of Fresh
Baby. Creators of products that include the So Easy
Baby Food Kit and Good Clean Fun Placemats; Fresh
Baby offers parents convenient and practical support
in raising healthy children. Visit them online at
www.FreshBaby.com
and subscribe to their Fresh Ideas newsletter to get
monthly ideas, tips and activities for developing
your family's healthy eating habits! Fresh Baby products
are available at many fine specialty stores and national
chains including Target, Wild Oats, and Whole Foods
Markets.
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