Carrot Cake for babies and toddlers

I adapted this from a recipe I found on the Good Food website to make it without added sugar.

I've called it "5 a day cake" because it has so much hidden fruit and veg in it; clementines, sultanas, carrots and apples.  If only I'd pushed it one more...   Really it's a carrot cake and what could be more appropriate at Easter?  I'm not suggesting cake should substitute for fresh fruit and vegetables, but in my view, if you are going to have cake anyway, why not have some healthier ingredients in there?  Much better than a pack of chocolate buttons for your little angels anyway.

This isn't super sweet but it was a hit with my son so I've included it.  Adults might find not find it sweet enough for their tastes but you could always add a little icing when your little one isn't looking...

5 a day Carrot Cake for babies and toddlers - makes 12 squares

Ingredients

100g unsalted butter
100g sultanas
Juice and zest of 2 clementine
150g SR flour
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 eggs
100g carrot, grated
50g apple grated (including the skin but not the core)

Method

Heat the juice, zest and sultanas in a microwave for 1 minute.  In a separate bowl melt the butter in a microwave.  Mix the two together.

Preheat the oven to 160oC (fan oven).

Grease and line a small baking dish.  Mine was 22cm square.

Weigh out the flour, spices, bicarb, carrot and apple into a bowl.  Add the eggs to the butter / juice mix then quickly mix into the dry ingredients.  Once mixed, pour into the baking dish.

Then put into the oven for 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked and springing back when pressed.

Allow to cool, then cut into 12 squares (or the size that you like).

Keeps in a tin for a day or so, freezes well.

If you like this, why don't you try the recipe for date cake with no added sugar?

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This has been linked to Friday Food Flicks.