The Perfect Birthday Cake!

by Theresa Kiene

In a perfect world, my children would never eat sugar, always sleep through the night and always say thank you. Nothing is ever perfect and I am reminded every time I plan a child's birthday party. Suddenly, Traditional Mommy wanted a beautiful cake her baby could put her little hand in, and smoosh on her face – a cake that would make her eyes pop with delight when we sang happy birthday. On the other hand, Modern Mommy had spent so much time keeping her eating only organic and sugar free foods how could she give in for the sake of a photo op? My compromise? This delicious recipe for a celebration cake that's sugar free, but still gets the eye-popping impact of a traditional sugar-slathered birthday cake.

CAKE 2 cups Organic Whole Wheat Pastry Flour 1 cup Wheat Germ 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon Chinese 5 spice or 1 Tablespoon Apple Pie Spice 1 teaspoon sea salt (fine) 1 cup Apple Juice Concentrate* 3 medium bananas, very ripe, mashed 1 cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract**

FROSTING 2 8-oz bricks cream cheese, softened 1 cup Juice Concentrate* 1 tablespoon vanilla extract**

FILLING 1 9-oz jar organic strawberry fruit spread 1 cup thinly sliced fresh organic strawberry or bananas

*Apple Juice Concentrate is sold in natural food markets, or make your own by boiling a thawed can of Organic Frozen Apple Juice Concentrate for about 10 minutes until it forms a syrup.

**Use Pure Vanilla extract not imitation

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350° F. Generously grease and flour a 9-inch springform cake pan.

Sift together the flour, wheat germ, baking soda, Chinese 5 spice and salt into large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, blend (with an electric mixer on medium speed) the apple juice concentrate, bananas, oil, eggs and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and blend at medium speed until very smooth, scraping the sides down if needed. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top. Bake 35 – 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cake cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes and then remove from the pan and let the cake cool completely. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth and then slowly add the juice concentrate and the vanilla until completely mixed and smooth.

When the cake is completely cooled, slice in half with a serrated knife as evenly as you can. Place the bottom half on your serving platter. Spread the top of the bottom half with the organic strawberry fruit spread and then layer with the thinly sliced organic bananas or strawberries. Place the top layer on top of the bottom layer and lightly press together. Spread the frosting smoothly on the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with strawberries, nuts or figurines that fit your party theme. You are only limited by your own imagination. Our toughest critic, 9-year-old, Lucia, says "It's soooo sweet, it's hard to believe its sugar free!"

This cake recipe can also be used to make cupcakes. A homemade whip cream frosting works well and is easy to flavor with vanilla and fruit juice concentrate instead of sugar.

So don't put away that Sugar Free sign. Traditional Mommy gets to share the same kitchen – now you can have your sugar-free cake and eat it too!

For more information or to ask Theresa your questions, you can contact her by email at theresakiene@familymagazinegroup.com.