There are many reasons you may serve cake to your children, including birthday parties, class events and special holidays. Often, cake recipes are loaded with sugar and fat and cannot be considered part of a healthy diet. Using recipes that include nutritious ingredients and reduced fat and sugar will help you prepare cakes that your children enjoy but that also benefit their health.
No-Bake Dark Chocolate and Fruit Cake
Dark chocolate is a healthy alternative to milk chocolate and white chocolate because it is lower in sugar and saturated fat and also provides some healthy nutrients. Dried fruit will add a bit of vitamin C and potassium to your cake. Crush a package of whole wheat graham crackers and add 1/2 cup dried fruit, such as raisins, cherries, apricots or berries. Melt two dark chocolate bars and pour over the crackers and fruit combination. Add 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce and stir to coat. Press into a greased loaf pan and refrigerate overnight. Slice and serve with a glass of milk.
Angel Food Cake with Fruit
You can use a store-bought angel food cake to prepare a tasty and nutritious dessert for your children. Angel food cake is naturally low in fat, and paired with fruit, it can supply several vitamins and minerals. Mandy Francis notes in her book, "Raising a Healthy Eater: Help Your Kids Develop a Taste for Good Nutrition," that fresh fruit is one of the easiest ways to add nutrients to your children's dessert. Chop a combination of berries, kiwi, banana and apples and serve over a small sliver of angel food cake for a dose of potassium, vitamin C, fiber and vitamin A.
Carrot Cake
The addition of carrots to your children's cake will supply vitamin A and fiber. Beat 4 eggs in a large bowl and add 1 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce, 2 cups sugar or sugar substitute and 2 tsp. vanilla extract. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour, 2 tsp. baking powder, 2 tsp. baking soda, 2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/2 tsp. salt. Add 3 cups of freshly grated carrots. Pour into a greased and floured cake pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 to 50 minutes. Add pecans or walnuts with the carrots for a fiber, protein and omega-3 fatty acid boost.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple is rich in vitamin C and boosts the nutrition of your children's cake. Reducing the sugar in the topping will also increase the nutrition. Combine 2 tbsp. of unsweetened applesauce with 2 tsp. of cinnamon. Sprinkle in a teaspoon of brown sugar. Line the bottom of a cake pan with the mixture and layer sliced unsweetened pineapple rings on top. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups whole wheat flour, 3/4 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp. salt. In another bowl, cream 1 3/4 cups sugar or sugar substitute and 1 cup unsweetened applesauce. Add 4 eggs, one at a time, 3/4 tsp. vanilla and 3/4 cup plain nonfat yogurt. Combine and pour over pineapple rings. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes in a 325-degree oven. Cool for 10 minutes and turn upside down onto a platter.
References
- "Raising a Healthy Eater: Help Your Kids Develop a Taste for Good Nutrition"; Mandy Francis; 2001
- "Brain Foods for Kids: Over 100 Recipes to Boost Your Child's Intelligence"; Nicola Graimes; 2005
Member Comments