"Healthy" birthday cake?

[hithere]

We are celebrating my son's first birthday this weekend. We're doing a brunch. I haven't thought about a cake, and I would actually like to skip the whole 'let him devour a cake' event... I *know* I can't sustain my ideal of clean, whole foods forever and ever and ever, but I've really prioritized his foods thus far and don't want to 'ruin' it with a bunch of sugar and colored frosting...

I was thinking of making some mini muffins or something, so the other kids (only a few one-year olds, and a 4 and 6 year old) can have a little treat in celebration... My parents will give me a guilt trip if I don't acknowledge his birthday (highchair, hat, sing, 'cake', etc) so would like to do something to formalize the event, but... what to make?

Mini carrot cakes? Mini coffee cakes?? Anything that isn't full of sugar but will be a nice substitute??

IDEAS??

Thank you!

[Deleted]

Stupid phone ignore.

[udscoobychick]

Could you do a fruit crisp instead? If the fruit needs sweetening, a little honey, maple syrup, or stevia would do it. You can make the crisp topping reasonably healthy with whole wheat flour, oatmeal, and minimal fat (you could use a healthier oil instead of butter). Add in some nuts for protein and crunch, if you want.

[livinitup]

I was pretty militant about DD's healthy eating at that age, but considered a birthday cake to be an acceptable treat in a balanced, whole food approach. I made the cake myself, so that helped. But any cake, even one with carrots will have sugar - that's the point of cake. I did a one layer cake with icing, just for her and she ate a few handfuls. She didn't eat the whole thing, just enough for a treat and pictures. And cupcakes for everyone else.

Sorry I can't think of an alternative, but I think you can still feel good about what you feed her even if she gets some cake on her birthday.

[dearprudence]

I honestly don't know that there's much of a difference between a muffin and cake when it comes to sugar. But whatever you decide, you can make a fairly healthy "frosting" with cream cheese or even yogurt and just keeping an eye on how much confectioner's sugar you add in. I usually use skim milk instead of whole or cream with frosting, but given that they need the fats from whole milk, I'll probably use that when I make my son's cake.

[hithere]

Thanks- I thought I was going to get flamed!
I agree about muffins and sugar... Did a ton of searching last night. I think I'm going to do mini strawberry shortcakes with buttermilk biscuits... I'll definitely try for some healthier substitutions as well!

[darby]

What about angel food cake with sliced or mashed berries? It still has sugar, but is fat free & the berries are both nutritious & tasty.

[redheadbaker]

Sept 6, 2012 15:30:25 GMT -5 hithere said:

Thanks- I thought I was going to get flamed!
I agree about muffins and sugar... Did a ton of searching last night. I think I'm going to do mini strawberry shortcakes with buttermilk biscuits... I'll definitely try for some healthier substitutions as well!

No flames here. I'm trying to come up with a "healthier" cake recipe for a smash cake for my son (as well as make a sugar-laden full birthday cake for the rest of the party guests).

Unfortunately, my mother got wind of what I'm planning to do (if I can find a healthier recipe), and WILL NOT GET OFF MY BACK about it. Then in the same breath talks about my cousin's son (who ate his entire smash cake) and how everyone could tell the exact moment the sugar hit his system because he started shaking, because he wasn't used to the sugar.

Plus, I don't want to have to deal with a baby coming down off a sugar high after the party is over . . .