Are you searching for a healthy alternative for your family’s birthday celebrations? Keep it nutritious, while still treating them to something delicious with this homemade, dairy-free, gluten-free, and no-sugar-added Cucumber Lemon Banana Cake sent to us from our friend Megan, @mamaofwholelittles. Introducing new foods to little ones can be tricky but we think this unique cake idea will be a hit at any party.

Okay, okay I know you’re reading this thinking cucumbers in a cake?! What? But just keep reading, and I’m pretty sure I can convince you to give this unique pairing a try. I think most of us are familiar with banana bread, but I chose to use greenhouse grown Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers and dates to create a healthier dairy-free, gluten-free, and no-added-sugar cake recipe.

When we were approaching my daughters’ first birthday, my husband and I wanted to do something different than the typical sugary smash cake for her party. We had eaten really well with her since she had started on solids, and we thought why change that for her first birthday party? I had never made anything besides a boxed cake mix before, so I began searching online knowing that there had to be something healthier I could make for the occasion.

TURN YOUR KID’S FAVORITE VEGETABLES INTO SWEETS –

After scouring the web, I found a recipe I wanted to try that incorporated veggies into the cake. From there, I created this Cucumber Lemon Banana Cake recipe which I could serve with Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers, sweetened with date syrup, on the side. I was so excited to transform one of my daughters’ favorite vegetables into a cake. I was up for the challenge of making a delicious fruit-sweetened cake!

We were all in love with the recipe, and the best part was that my eldest daughter could help make it. For those of you that don’t know me well, my oldest is 7 now, and I have 3 younger kids. For each birthday, I like to try out different flavor combinations for both cake & icing and my kids have loved every one! This Cucumber Lemon Banana Cake is certainly a contender for the #1 spot.

GRAB YOUR HEALTHY BAKING INGREDIENTS –

There are a few steps involved in this recipe, but the final product is so worth it. The first step is to gather the cake ingredients. The oats, baking soda, baking powder, and salt will go into the dry blender first to avoid any oats sticking to the bottom and then transfer to a large mixing bowl. Next, you blend the cake’s wet ingredients: bananas, eggs, Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers, softened dates, almond milk, vanilla, and lemon extract. Then you mix both the dry and the wet ingredients together and bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

While the cake is baking, you can prepare the coconut cream icing and candied cucumbers. Coconut cream icing typically has some form of liquid sweetener, but I have found that pureeing dates into it not only gives it great flavor, but also gives it some stiffness to stick better to the cake. This is my first time making candied cucumbers, and I must tell you- I am in LOVE! When I thought of the idea to add an extra treat for this recipe, I wasn’t sure if I could make them without regular granulated sugar, but with date syrup, they are just amazing! Not only for special occasions, I have been serving them to my kids alongside their lunch and they love them as much as I do!

GUILT-FREE ENJOYMENT –

Once the cakes are cool, you can layer the icing and top them with lemon & cucumber zest for added color and flavor. When serving, top each slice with candied Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers for an amazingly sweet, flavorful healthy cake that you won’t feel guilty about eating or serving to your little ones!

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to introduce your little ones to sweets, this fruit-sweetened cake is full of added nutrients & perfect to try! Plus, using always-available greenhouse grown vegetables means that no matter when your child’s first birthday or special occasion falls, you can rely on the consistent flavor in your party treats. No need to hunt the web for your next celebration – this is the cake you are going to want to serve!

~ Megan