Healthy Date and Banana Loaf Recipe No Added Sugar
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Can my 6 month old baby have cake
A 6-month-old can have cake, provided it is homemade using no added sugar and natural ingredients like this date and banana loaf cake recipe.
At this age, introducing simple, nutritious foods is key, and a cake made from ingredients like mashed bananas and oats can be a safe and enjoyable option.
Avoiding refined sugars and processed additives ensures the cake remains suitable for a baby's developing digestive system and helps healthy eating habits from the start.
No added sugar cake for baby
This date and banana loaf is a great recipe with no added sugar option for babies, making it a perfect choice for a first birthday smash cake.
The natural sweetness from the ripe banana and dates provide a delicious flavour without the need for refined sugars, supporting healthy eating habits from the start.
Its soft, moist texture is ideal for little hands and developing teeth, allowing babies to easily grasp and explore the cake.
The wholesome ingredients deliver gentle nutrition, making it both a tasty treat and a nutritious one for your little one’s special milestone without the sweet tooth.
Ingredient information
Oats - Rolled oats are a great weaning ingredient for porridge and for cake recipes when blitzed to oat flour like I have done in this recipe.
Dates - The addition of dates are a great way to add extra sweetness to a cake recipe. If you did not want to use dates you could use quartered strawberries or raspberries for a softer texture. Or you could use a food processor with a little water to blitz to a paste.
Banana - Overripe bananas are a great weaning ingredient and great for sweetening cake recipes instead of using sugar.
Eggs - I have used free range eggs for the date loaf recipe.
Flaxseed - Flaxseed is great to add in extra nutrition to lots of recipes including muffins and porridge recipes.
Milk - I have used a whole milk for the recipe, you can use a dairy free alternative such as soy milk, almond milk or oat milk.
Cinnamon - This is a great spice to use for weaning as it is mild and adds sweetness to so many different yummy recipes.
Baking powder and bicarbonate of soda - These are a great pairing to use for cake recipes to give the fluffiest rise.
Serving suggestion
The banana date bread recipe is an easy recipe and great sliced and eaten on its own, or it is great sliced and spread with a little unsalted butter or nut butters such as smooth peanut butter, cashew butter or almond butter for snack time or a delicious breakfast.
You can try a seed butter too such as sunflower seeds butter or a full fat cream cheese with a soft pear, or dipped into a fruit flavoured baby puree.
Other great finger food recipes for your baby: baby french toast, eggy bread recipe, banana bread, pumpkin muffins or egg free blueberry cake.
Storage instructions
The banana bread recipe can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, stored in an airtight container.
If you wanted to freeze the healthy banana date bread you will need to make sure that the cake has cooled down to room temperature.
Once cool, wrap the healthy banana bread with plastic wrap followed by tin foil and place in the freezer. This is if you are freezing the cake whole.
If you are freezing individual portions, you can store the same way in an airtight container.
Make sure that the bag/airtight container is labelled with the item and the date. I use masking tape to label the airtight container.
To defrost the cake, leave in the fridge overnight and make sure it is fully defrosted.
Once the cake has been defrosted you will not be able to refreeze.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
Loaf tin - A rectangular, non-stick 450g/1lb loaf tin that is dishwasher safe and ideal for my bread and loaf cake recipes.
Loaf liner - Paper loaf pan liners are a great idea, particularly when you're in a hurry. Saves greasing your pan and cutting parchment paper to size.
Mixing bowl - I like to use a stainless steel mixing bowl - they are usually lightweight and easy to clean.
Airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Recipe | Healthy Date and Banana Loaf Recipe No Added Sugar
Healthy Date and Banana Loaf Recipe No Added Sugar
This is a great no added sugar cake recipe, suitable for baby from 6 months old. The cake could be a great option for a 1st birthday smash cake!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 180C or 350F. Line a 2lb loaf tin with a loaf liner or parchment paper will work.
- Boil the kettle with hot water and add the dates to a medium bowl and cover with hot water. Leave to soak for 5 minutes or so to soften.
- Add all the other ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix together using a wooden spoon. You can use a hand mixer if you prefer,
- Once about 5 minutes are up drain the dates and then using scissors cut the dates into small pieces and add the chopped dates to the thick batter.
- Mix the dates into the banana mixture and spoon into the prepared loaf pan. You can use a rubber spatula to scrape all of the mixture out of the large bowl into the tin and level out using the back of the spoon.
- Pop the tin on a baking sheet and into the oven for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.
Notes
You can use a gluten-free flour instead of rolled oats for this moist banana bread or you can use gluten-free oats for sensitive tums.
You can use other fruits instead of dates such as raspberries, blueberries or even quartered strawberries.
Hope you and your whole family enjoy!
©The Petit Spoon
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