Emma turned one last Saturday, September 16th and my husband and I made her a very special birthday cake. As soon as I started thinking about celebrating her first birthday I knew I wanted to bake her a cake from scratch. I want her to always cherish this recipe and hopefully pass it down to her kids one day.
Birthday cakes and cakes in general are meant to be sweet, but I really wanted to add some wholesome ingredients to make it more nutritious. I incorporated whole wheat flour, oats, and bananas and by doing this I added more nutrients and fiber as well. For this recipe I used butter, but I will definitely be trying it with coconut oil in the future and for both the cake and frosting I cut the sugar, which cut calories but not flavor.
This is easily one of my favorite cakes to make, not just for birthdays but as a cake to have around the house when you get that sweet craving. The first time I made it I enjoyed a slice with a cup of coffee as the perfect midday pick me up. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup oats (I used quick oats)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 2 ripe bananas
- 3/4 cup milk at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 oz butter softened
- 2 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cups powdered sugar, or more, depending on desired sweetness
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
- Spray three 6 in. round cake pans with non stick baking cooking spray with flour or regular baking spray and dust with flour. Line with round cut out parchment paper. Spray again with baking spray and flour. Set aside.
- Place 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into the 3/4 cup milk. Set aside.
- Use a food processor to make oat flour out of oats. Set aside.
- Sift whole wheat flour, white flour, oat flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Add cinnamon. Set aside.
- Cream butter and both sugars until fluffy and sugars are mostly dissolved.
- Add both eggs and vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk into the sugar mixture, starting and ending with flour.
- Once incorporated, add banana and mix.
- Pour evenly into prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Remove from pans onto wire rack after 10 minutes and let cool completely.
- Mix softened butter and cream cheese.
- Add vanilla extract and mix.
- Add powdered sugar and mix.
- Keep adding powdered sugar until desired sweetness is achieved.
- Note, this frosting will not be as stiff as normal frostings because not as much sugar is used.
- Place one layer onto cake stand. Scoop half of the frosting onto first layer and spread. Add second layer and do the same. Place third layer on top. Dust with powdered sugar and decorate how ever you desire.
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