Once again, it is Nina’s birthday, and conditions for Mama Baker to rub some dough and place it in the oven. Tens of recipes lie in the book beside her and even, more in her head as she prepares the historic cake for her little sweet heart. However, which of these, she asks, would be appropriate for Nina, which one of these recipes is beneficial for a four year old girl?

Indeed, everyone adores cakes, from the young child to the elderly grandfather. Some like them with much sugar and specific additives like food colour while others prefer them otherwise. However, what could be the essence of a treat if it ends up poisoning one’s health and particularly that of a child?

It seems almost impossible for one to avoid excess sugar and other unhealthy additives in cakes bought from the shelves of shops as the most love such contents. Contrarily, cake made at home is easy to control.

It is common knowledge that children love sweets; sugary foods and anything that makes Nina smack her lips and keep her smiling whenever he sees mum or dad, but one must not give in to every ‘sugary’ request just to make her happy. Aside from tooth decay that is usually caused by sugar, excess fat in some baking margarine could cause obesity in children.

Using fruits, nuts and vegetables in making that historic cake will certainly keep Nina smiling on her birthday. It is advisable to use exclusively organic ingredients for baking and cooking in general; sugar, flour, eggs, milk, and even dried fruits must genuinely be without chemicals. Fruit puree will be an excellent substitute for sugar in that cake and a reduced- fat, olive oil based- spread could replace that butter! (Reference: healthy-eating-made-easy)

Baking powder forms the basis of cake preparation, but not every baking powder is suitable for baking. Some are said to contain aluminum, which is possibly linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, it is advisable that one selects aluminum- free baking powder for a healthy cake. The Rumford type will be an excellent choice.

Chocolate is a favourite ingredient for many baking mums but for proper condition this could either be reduced or replaced with natural cocoa powder. One can add a small quantity of this cocoa powder to chocolate and use instead of hundred percent chocolate.

Now, who will not like a beautiful dream lasting for hours or even days if possible? Although, it is almost impossible to conserve a birthday cake or any cake in general for more than a day or two, for the sake of a lasting taste in the mouth; it will undoubtedly be exciting to keep that unique cake for a few more days. Cakes should be placed in a cool, dry place, where they come into contact with much air. One can ice cakes in the refrigerator in order to protect them.

Finally, if you are stuck for ideas, you could try some of these long time childrens classics; Banana nut bread, Apple cake, and Blue Muffins.