If you want something a little different for your baby’s first birthday, try one of our beautiful and healthy alternatives to birthday cake. Here are 10 decadent, delightful options that will wow your guests, young and old. And, of course, you can still buy or make a mini smash cake or cupcake for photos if you like.
Chocolate-Dipped Banana Bites
These frozen chocolate banana bites are the perfect balance of fruit and chocolate. Easy enough to make the day of the party, they pair the decadent richness of dark chocolate with the sophistication of sea salt. For a sweeter version, skip the salt and use milk chocolate. Head to The Lemon Bowl for the recipe.
Chocolate-Dipped Fruit Cones
Surprise your guests with a fresh (fruit) take on ice cream cones with these chocolate-dipped fruit cones! Pre-made cones mean this recipe is a cinch to prepare, and guests can make it their own by choosing their fruit. Roll the chocolate edges in sprinkles or nuts for that added something special. My Fussy Eater shows you how to put it together.
Healthy Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
This twist on banana bread turns it into a cupcake and smothers it with cream cheese frosting! The surprise? There’s no butter, eggs, refined flour or sugar in this recipe, and it clocks in at only 120 calories! Amy's Healthy Baking has the recipe, along with directions for a gluten-free option.
Chocolate Pudding Cups
Let your little chocoholic indulge—and perhaps engage in a little finger painting—with this deliciously virtuous pudding. This recipe comes with options to make it free of soy, sugar, egg, gluten, nuts and dairy! But trust us, it's still packed full of delicious chocolatey flavor. Get the recipe at Chocolate Covered Katie.
Honeyed Fruit & Yogurt Mini Parfaits
Parfaits are a beautiful alternative to cake, especially at a brunch celebration. And they’re even cuter in small parfait cups. This version from Yay Baby! uses Greek yogurt and fragrant orange zest in the mixture. Dress it up even more with a sprinkling of shredded coconut, chocolate shavings, nuts or cinnamon. Expecting guests under age 1? Swap the honey for maple syrup or jam.
Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
Chewy granola cookies are both delicious and convenient for a party since there's minimal plating and cleanup. Leave out bags or boxes and guests can take home leftovers as party favors. While the granola used in this batch is a homemade cherry-almond variety, you could use store-bought granola to eliminate a few steps. Low on butter and high on fiber, these cookies are sweet and satisfying. Go to Accidental Happy Baker for the recipe.
Whole Wheat Sweet Potato Waffles
Another fun breakfast or brunch party option, these sweet potato waffles use just a touch of maple syrup since they get all their rich sweetness from—you guessed it—the sweet potato. With very little added oil, this recipe is a nutritional powerhouse. At your party, set up a waffle bar with fun toppings like berries, bananas, dark chocolate chips, yogurt, stewed apples, nuts, and toasted coconut. Flavor the Moments has the recipe.
Rainbow Fruit Skewers with Vanilla-Honey Yogurt Dip
These fruit skewers are as delicious as they are pretty to look at. Use whatever fruit you enjoy and, ideally, is in season. The vanilla-honey yogurt dip adds extra sweetness and decadence. Guests under age 1 should skip the dip due to the honey in it, and parents should keep the skewers out of kids' reach and remove the fruit from the skewer before serving little ones. Get more details at The Comfort Kitchen.
Frozen Greek Yogurt-Covered Strawberries
We love this berry treat from Gaby Burger. With the added nutritional bonus of protein powder mixed into the yogurt, guests will enjoy a healthy and delicious dessert. Coconut flakes make it even more festive!
Healthy Fruit Pizza
While most fruit pizza recipes rely on a sugar cookie crust, this one from Holley Grainger uses a whole-wheat oatmeal cookie crust. The crust is topped with a cream cheese-yogurt spread and a rainbow of brightly colored fruit. Layering the fruit in concentric circles makes for a gorgeous presentation that is sure to delight guests and the birthday babe.
Capture all the cutest (and messiest!) first-birthday moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
