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Healthy Banana Cake for Toddlers (Easy Snack Cake Recipe) - Soft, Simple, and Naturally Sweet

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 3 very ripe bananas (the spottier, the better)
  • 2 large eggs (or flax eggs for egg-free)
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (or Greek yogurt)
  • 1/4 cup mild oil (avocado, light olive, or melted coconut) or melted unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/3–1/2 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened non-dairy)
  • 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour (or a 1:1 gluten-free blend)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional add-ins: 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans (if age-appropriate), mini chocolate chips, blueberries, or hemp seeds

Method
 

  1. Prep the pan and oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch square pan or line it with parchment. You can also use a 9-inch round pan or a 12-cup mini muffin tin.
  2. Mash the bananas: In a large bowl, mash the bananas until mostly smooth with a few small lumps. You’ll want about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of mashed banana.
  3. Add wet ingredients: Whisk in the eggs, applesauce, oil, vanilla, and milk until well combined.
  4. Combine dry ingredients: Sprinkle the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt over the top. Gently stir until just combined. Do not overmix—a few streaks are okay.
  5. Stir in add-ins (optional): Fold in fruit, nuts, seeds, or mini chocolate chips if using. Keep add-ins small and sparse for younger toddlers.
  6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 22–28 minutes for an 8x8 pan, 18–22 minutes for a 9-inch round, or 10–14 minutes for mini muffins. It’s done when the center springs back lightly and a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
  7. Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Cool completely before slicing so it holds together well.
  8. Serve: Cut into small squares or strips for easy toddler grip. For extra moisture, add a thin smear of yogurt or nut/seed butter on top.