Finding birthday cake recipes that are both delicious and healthy is a challenge—and when you add the often variable appetites of toddlers into the mix, it can almost seem impossible. But this banana bread birthday cake is one of our favorites to celebrate a special occasion (or just a random Thursday afternoon). It’s moist and incredibly flavorful, and it boasts a rich and creamy frosting. Your kids will love how yummy it tastes, and you will love that it’s actually filled with nutritious ingredients.
The base of the cake is ground rolled oats, which means that you can enjoy this even if someone in your house has an issue with gluten. (Just be sure to buy certified gluten-free oats!) The cake is also nut free, so you won’t have to worry about potential peanut issues if other kids are coming over to share a slice. And the cake actually tastes better chilled—and it holds up incredibly well after sitting in the fridge—so you can make the whole dessert up to a day ahead of time. (And if you happen to have any leftovers? Pop them into the fridge and enjoy them for breakfast the next day, just like my family loves to do!)
We like this cake because it tastes like banana bread, but it has the added benefit of frosting. You could add in some raisins, chopped walnuts, or even chocolate chips to make the batter extra special, though it’s pretty great in this simple form.
This banana cake would make a wonderful option for a first birthday party since it’s naturally sweetened and is easy for toddlers to eat—and because it’s so easy for adults to make without the need for any special appliances or ingredients. In fact, you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen! Try serving it with cold milk for the kids and strong coffee for the parents for a birthday treat everyone will love.
