Bubby and Bean ::: Living Creatively: Healthy Carrot Spice Cake (Perfect for the Little Ones!)

By Food + Drink Contributor Sara Little

A Healthy and Delicious First Birthday Cake Recipe // Bubby and bean

I came up with this recipe for my daughter Piper's first birthday cake in October, and it was a hit, so Melissa asked if I would share it here. It's a healthier alternative to traditional sugar-laden cakes (but your little one will never know the difference.)

CAKE INGREDIENTS
1 Bunch of Carrots
1 Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate
2 c Flour
2 c Applesauce
1/2 c Oatmeal
2T Cinnamon
1t Ground Clove
1t Nutmeg
2 Eggs
4 Egg Whites
1T Vanilla

DIRECTIONS
Saute 2-3 cups of sliced carrot with 2 cups of thawed frozen orange juice concentrate in saucepan over low heat. Once the carrots have softened, transfer into a food processor and blend. Mix in 2 cups flour, 2 cups applesauce, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 2T Cinnamon, 1t ground clove, 1t ground nutmeg, 2 eggs, 4 egg whites, and 1T vanilla.

Spray or butter two 9" round cake pans, pour in batter, and bake for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees. You will want to see browning on top and be able to pull out a clean toothpick when it's done.

I cut the cakes down using a biscuit cutter, to reduce the size a bit.

Since we skimped on the sugar in the cake and I thought Piper deserved a little sweet, we put a cream cheese frosting on it. You could also use fruit preserves or even omit the frosting.

FROSTING INGREDIENTS
8oz Package of Cream Cheese
1c White Sugar
1/8t Salt
1t Vanilla
1 1/2c Heavy Cream

DIRECTIONS
Mix all ingredient until you reach your desired consistency. This makes enough to frost the two layer cake above.

You will feel good about serving a low-sugar options and your baby (or you!) will LOVE digging into this cake! -Sara

Essley's first birthday is in just 3-1/2 weeks and this recipe is at the very top of our possible cake list. Big thanks to Sara for sharing (and for the adorable pictures of Piper enjoying it at her first birthday party!). Sara is an event planner and "expert in indulgence" who has lived in the heart of Sonoma County California's wine country for 12 years. In addition to sharing her favorite foods and wines, recipes and more as our Food and Drink Contributor, she plans unique, personalized getaways to and events in wine country for her hospitality business, Wine Country Goodness, and travels the country in search of the best places to stay, explore, eat, and drink. You can also find Sara on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.