First Birthday Healthy Carrot Cake Recipe

All the invitations have been sent out and the decorations are ready to go for that auspicious First Birthday Party. You’re now rummaging through the pantry drawers looking for those special 1st birthday cake recipes. Here’s a delicious variation of a carrot cake recipe that’s both healthy and tasty. Why a healthy carrot cake recipe?

Many parents worry about their toddlers health and moreover many parents have never introduced sugar or sweets to their baby at this age.

Either way, years from now, you’ll be reminiscing about the silly smile on your babies face as they mash the cake between their hands. Chances are that most of the cake will end up all over the table, floor and your baby’s clothes.

As this recipe aims to be healthier than other options, it’s not a chocolate cake recipe, but you can take a look at some of my other creations for some fantastic chocolate cake recipes.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• 2 1/2 cups carrots (thinly sliced)
• 2 1/2 cups concentrated apple juice
• 1 cup raisins
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs (whole)
• 4 egg whites
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup applesauce (unsweetened is recommended)
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 2 Tbsp baking powder (low sodium is recommended)
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon (ground)

Preparation Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF.
2. Line two medium sized cake pans with wax paper and spray the coat the wax paper with vegetable oil or vegetable shortening. It’s easiest to use vegetable oil from a spray can.
3. In a saucepan, combine the carrots and 1 cup of juice concentrate and bring to the boil, then cover and let it simmer for about 15 minutes (until the carrots are tender.)
4. Puree the carrot and juice mixture in a food processor or a blender. You can also mash it manually if you don’t have access to either of these machines.
5. Add the raisins and continue to process/blend the mixture until the raisins are finely chopped. Allow this mixture to cool for a few minutes.
6. Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
7. Add the remaining juice concentrate along with the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
8. Now, combine the carrot, juice and raisin mixture with the cake batter and pour into the greased cake pans.
9. Bake for 35 minutes, or until you can poke the center with a toothpick and have it come out clean.

All done! Don’t forget to share this, along with my other cake recipes, with your friends!