Last Updated on March 17, 2023
Many children love frosting at a young age. It is sweet and creamy, making it irresistible for the little ones. This healthy frosting recipe for babies is both delicious and nutritious, making both parents and kids happy.
Many parents want their kids to be able to enjoy how delicious dessert is but worry about the side effects of all the sugar and fat. Luckily, the frosting recipe in this post is tasty and healthy.
A Great Healthy Smash Cake Frosting
If you are planning to have a smash cake for your baby, this is a great frosting to use. Smash cakes are small cakes made just for babies to eat on their own and “smash” to their desire. They are generally made for babies’ first birthdays.
Starting Off Healthy
Before the age of two, children are very susceptible to food tastes. When a child is young, their taste preferences are beginning to form, so it is important to make sure they are eating lots of healthy foods. Having your toddler eat some sugar is ok but it is important to limit their sugar intake, as too much sugar is unhealthy and will cause them to have a preference for sweet foods.
Sugar can also cause cavities and lead to diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Though many people love sugar and consume it on a daily basis, it is very important to be careful of your child’s sugar intake. It is very easy for young children to get hooked on sweets.
Natural Sugars vs Added Sugars
Naturally occurring sugars, such as those found in fruits, milk, and vegetables, are different than added sugars, such as what is found in candy, soda, and desserts. Naturally occurring sugars, such as fructose and lactose, are good to consume as they come from fruits and dairy, which have several health benefits. Added sugars have been processed, so your body breaks them down differently and they need to be consumed with caution.
Eating too much added sugar can cause health problems. The sugar found naturally in foods such as fruits is covered in fiber. The fiber helps slow down the absorption of sugar, unlike added sugars which are absorbed faster. The faster sugar is absorbed, the quicker it turns into fat.
Healthy Alternatives
Fortunately, there are alternatives to cane sugars you can use in baking that your children will still love. Plain Greek Yogurt, maple syrup, bananas, applesauce, dates, and honey are some of the healthiest alternatives to adding cane sugar. These foods are naturally sweet and work great in dessert recipes.
This frosting is relatively easy to make and will be a score amongst everyone. It only takes a few ingredients and some preparation to make this healthy frosting.
1. Healthy Yogurt Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
To make this healthy frosting recipe by Yummy Toddler Food that will be a great choice for your baby, you will need:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
Equipment
To prepare this frosting, you will need:
- A sieve or fine mesh strainer
- A double layer cheesecloth or paper towels
- A large bowl
Step by Step Instructions
Step One: Preparing the Yogurt
Place one cup of plain whole-milk Greek yogurt in a sieve or fine mesh strainer with a double layer cheesecloth or paper towels above a large bowl. Let the yogurt sit for at least thirty minutes or you may leave it overnight.
Step Two: Adding the Vanilla Extract and Maple Syrup
Transfer the yogurt into a bowl and add the vanilla extract and maple syrup. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Refrigerate frosting until ready to eat.
To take this frosting up a notch, top with fresh fruit and sprinkle with powdered sugar. The fruit will help compliment the frosting. This frosting comes out white, so you may add food coloring to reach your desired shade.
You may also use vanilla Greek yogurt for this recipe for extra flavor, however, it will have more added sugar in it. It is important to make sure to strain the Greek yogurt to make sure it is thick enough to become frosting. If you don’t strain the yogurt, it will not have the right consistency for frosting.
After you make this frosting, it is best to refrigerate it for the time it takes to bake your cake, as this will allow it to thicken up more. Make sure your cake is fully cooled before frosting it.
Tips and Tricks
If you are planning to have a smash cake for your baby’s first birthday, this is a great frosting choice. It is naturally sweetened with vanilla extract and maple syrup. It uses plain Greek yogurt which is healthy and has no added sugar.
If you are wanting to change the color of the frosting, but don’t want to use traditional food coloring, there are natural alternatives. For example, you can grate a beet and then squeeze the juice into the frosting to achieve a red coloring. You can also puree some raspberries and strawberries to achieve a pink color, as well as a slight fruity taste.
For this particular frosting, you will want to make sure that your frosted cake and leftover frosting are stored in the fridge. You can take the cake out of the fridge 30-60 minutes prior to serving. Since it is a yogurt-based frosting, it needs to be kept in the fridge to stay fresh.
Servings and Preparation Time For Healthy and Delicious Yogurt Frosting For Your Baby
This frosting is so good, everybody will be surprised when they find out it is healthy too. It is easy to make and will have everyone asking for more. With this recipe, you can feel good knowing you are giving your baby something healthy and delicious.
This recipe is a must-have if you are looking for a healthy alternative to traditional frosting. It makes healthy baking simple and tasty. If you tried this frosting, please share your experience making it.
Amazing Healthy Frosting Recipe for Babies
Equipment
- A sieve or fine mesh strainer
- A double layer cheesecloth or paper towels
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step One: Preparing the Yogurt - Place one cup of plain whole-milk Greek yogurt in a sieve or fine mesh strainer with a double layer cheesecloth or paper towels above a large bowl. Let the yogurt sit for at least thirty minutes or you may leave it overnight.
- Step Two: Adding the Vanilla Extract and Maple Syrup - Transfer the yogurt into a bowl and add the vanilla extract and maple syrup. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Refrigerate frosting until ready to eat.
Notes
- If you are planning to have a smash cake for your baby’s first birthday, this is a great frosting choice. It is naturally sweetened with vanilla extract and maple syrup. It uses plain Greek yogurt which is healthy and has no added sugar.
- If you are wanting to change the color of the frosting, but don’t want to use traditional food coloring, there are natural alternatives. For example, you can grate a beet and then squeeze the juice into the frosting to achieve a red coloring. You can also puree some raspberries and strawberries to achieve a pink color, as well as a slight fruity taste.
- For this particular frosting, you will want to make sure that your frosted cake and leftover frosting are stored in the fridge. You can take the cake out of the fridge 30-60 minutes prior to serving. Since it is a yogurt-based frosting, it needs to be kept in the fridge to stay fresh.
2. Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup of cream cheese
- 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup of maple syrup
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoon
- Rubber spatula
- Hand or stand mixer
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Please make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting to mix them in.
Step 2
Afterward, place the cream cheese in hand or stand mixer’s bowl attached with a whisk attachment. After that, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed for two minutes or until it is fluffy.
Step 3
Then, at low speed, add the greek yogurt to the bowl. Afterward, make sure to beat it until mixed. After that, scrape down the side of your bowl using your rubber spatula.
Step 4
Next, on medium speed, add the maple syrup for a minute, occasionally scraping down the bowl’s sides to make sure everything is incorporated.
Step 5
Afterward, at low speed, add the vanilla extract to the bowl. Then, beat at medium-high speed for two minutes or till it is creamy and fluffy, scraping down the edges.
Step 6
Finally, place in the fridge for about five minutes, then frost the cake with the desired design. Serve and enjoy!
Servings and Preparation Time Cream Cheese Healthy Frosting For Baby
Can a Baby Have Chocolate Frosting?
It’s best to wait until your baby is around one years old before treating them to a taste of chocolate frosting. And even then, it should only be enjoyed in moderation. This is because it can lead to problems such as obesity and tooth decay if a baby gets too used to these types of foods being in their diet.
It’s also best to start with chocolate frosting that contains no added sugar, if possible. I’ve found that making my own chocolate frosting is the best way to make the healthiest chocolate frosting you can for your baby. The only ingredients you’ll need are: 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup of cocoa powder and 1/4 cup of confectioners’ sugar.
Mix in a bowl until combined and then place in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. It really is that easy to make a healthier alternative to chocolate frosting for your baby!
Can Babies Have Buttercream Frosting?
Like most unhealthy foods, buttercream frosting is best enjoyed in moderation for your baby or toddler. It’s best to wait until your baby is at least one year old before offering any buttercream frosting. This is because it can lead to a range of problems in later life, such as tooth decay.
While buttercream frosting isn’t harmful on occasion for your baby, it’s best to stick to frosting that’s more natural such as yogurt frosting. Another frosting you may like to try is coconut cream frosting. It’s all natural and doesn’t require too many ingredients at all.
You just need one can of coconut cream, along with one tablespoon of maple syrup. Beat with a mixer until soft peaks begin to form, and then your healthier frosting is ready to serve to your little one!
Is Royal Icing Safe For Toddlers?
Royal icing usually contains fresh egg whites, which some parents may be hesitant to give to their toddler, and rightly so. While it should be completely safe for your toddler to enjoy royal icing in moderation, if you can make your own royal icing with a fresh egg white substitute such as meringue powder or pasteurized egg whites, this would be ideal. In place of one egg white, you’ll need around 2 teaspoons of meringue powder, with 2 tablespoons of water.
Is Cream Cheese Frosting Healthier Than Buttercream?
Healthwise, cream cheese frosting is healthier than it’s buttercream counterpart. This is because buttercream has higher levels of cholesterol, as well as saturated fats. However, due to its tangy flavor, some babies/toddlers will not like the taste of cream cheese frosting. Cream cheese frosting also contains less sugar than buttercream; again, making it a healthier frosting option for your little one.
Is Whipped Cream or Frosting Healthier?
When it comes to healthiness, whipped cream is the better option. It is lower in fat, calories and cholesterol than buttercream. If you’re trying to be healthier, or offer your child a better alternative, then whipped cream is certainly the way to go. However, many people find the taste of frosting superior to whipped cream. It all comes down to personal choice and preference.
Tips For Healthy Frosting When Cake Decorating
Cake decorating with healthy frosting is the most exciting part of the process. That is why you should do your best to activate your creativity.
Putting a dash of dye-free sprinkles is the easiest way to decorate a cake. Likewise, you can take it to the next level by cutting raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries to use as toppings. As a result of adding to the cake, you will have a naturally gorgeous cake.
If ever you want to add food coloring to your healthy frosting. Avoid using artificial food coloring since it contains numerous dangerous chemicals.
Though, they are stable under light and heat conditions. Likewise cheap and famous in the baking industry. The main problem is that nowadays, most artificial food dye is made from crude oil or petroleum. In addition to that, manufacturers use coal tar which comes from coal, to produce it.
Moreover, parents should not worry about feeding their baby with Greek yogurt because manufacturers strained it more than its ordinary yogurt counterpart. For this reason, the lactose is exceedingly lower in Greek yogurt. And easy to digest for babies. So it is indeed worth your budget.
Additionally, Greek yogurt has twice as much protein compared to ordinary yogurt. Likewise, it has half the sugar as regular yogurt. With that, babies will benefit from healthy fat. Also, the extra-creaminess will not only make your baby crave more Greek yogurt but also you will have fun making healthy frosting for your baby.
Please comment if you enjoyed this article or have any remarks regarding these recipes!
Karen is a passionate pastry chef who loves to create delicious baked goods. She has been in the culinary arts for over 10 years, honing her skills and perfecting her craft. Karen is known for her creativity and attention to detail, creating unique desserts that bring a smile to everyone’s face. She is always looking for ways to challenge herself and come up with new recipes that are both tasty and visually appealing. Karen loves to experiment with different flavors and textures, and she is committed to providing the highest quality of products to her customers.
