A Guilt-Free Treat Your Family Will Love:
Banana & Carob Cake
Baking has always been a source of joy and creativity for me. There’s something so fulfilling about transforming simple ingredients into a treat that can brighten someone’s day. Over the years, my approach to baking has evolved. While I still hold a deep love for traditional recipes, I now enjoy the challenge of reinventing them – swapping out less nutritious ingredients for wholesome alternatives and creating versions that are just as delicious but a little kinder to our bodies.
For decades, refined sugar has been absent from my kitchen. I’ve learned to embrace natural sweeteners and sugar substitutes, which not only taste great but also avoid the energy crashes that come with sugar-laden treats. Since becoming a mom, this passion for healthy baking has grown even deeper. Every recipe I make now carries an added intention: to sneak in as much nutrition as possible, ensuring that my family’s snacks and desserts are both enjoyable and nourishing.
Discovering Carob: A Game-Changer in My Kitchen
When my daughters were born, I began paying closer attention to the ingredients I used, especially for treats I knew they’d enjoy. That’s when I discovered carob powder – an ingredient that has since become a staple in my pantry.
Carob’s benefits are incredible, especially for families with young children:
Naturally Caffeine-Free
Unlike cacao, carob doesn’t contain caffeine, making it a gentle and kid-friendly option.
This is especially important during those early years when their little bodies and brains don’t need any extra stimulation.
Nutritional Powerhouse: Carob is rich in fiber, which supports digestion, calcium for strong bones, and antioxidants that help fight free radicals. It’s a small addition to a recipe that delivers big health benefits.
Naturally Sweet Flavor: What surprised me most was carob’s naturally sweet taste. This means I can reduce the amount of added sugar or sweetener in my recipes while still achieving a satisfying result.
For these reasons, carob has become my go-to substitute for cacao in many of my recipes, especially when I’m baking for my daughters. While I still love the richness of cacao for certain desserts, carob brings its own unique charm and peace of mind for treats my kids will enjoy.
Banana & Carob Cake: A Family Favorite
One of my favorite recipes to make with carob is this Banana & Carob Cake. It’s simple, delicious, and packed with wholesome ingredients – a perfect example of how baking can nourish both body and soul.
This cake is versatile, too. You can prepare it as a classic loaf cake or turn it into muffins for an easy snack option. No matter how you bake it, the results are always delightful.
What You’ll Need
🥚 2 eggs
🍌 1 ripe banana
🥛 120 ml natural yogurt
🍬 70 g xylitol or other sugar substitute
🌾 120 g flour (I used kamut & oat, but any flour will work)
🌟 100 g carob powder
✨ 1 tsp baking soda
🍋 Juice of ½ a lemon
🥥 50 ml coconut oil (or another mild-flavored oil)
💧 50 ml water*
🌿 Cinnamon to taste
(*Note: The amount of water may need to be adjusted depending on the type of flour you use. Aim for a smooth, pourable batter.)
How to Make It
Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).
In a medium bowl, mash the banana until smooth.
Crack in the eggs and whisk until combined.
Add the yogurt, sugar substitute, oil, and cinnamon, mixing until smooth.
Sift the carob powder and flour into the wet ingredients. Add the baking soda and lemon juice, then gently fold everything together.
Gradually add water to adjust the batter’s consistency, ensuring it’s smooth and pourable.
Pour the batter into a greased mold or muffin tin.
Bake for 20–25 minutes (a little less if making muffins). Check doneness with a toothpick – if it comes out clean, your cake is ready!
Let the cake cool completely before removing it from the mold to avoid cracks.
Why You’ll Love It
This cake isn’t just about satisfying your sweet tooth. It’s about finding joy in nourishing your family with wholesome ingredients. With its naturally sweet flavor and caffeine-free goodness, it’s a treat you can feel good about sharing with your little ones – and sneaking a slice for yourself!
Baking with Purpose and Heart
Baking has always been a way for me to express love, creativity, and care. As I’ve learned to tweak traditional recipes to better suit my family’s needs, it’s become an even more meaningful part of my life. This Banana & Carob Cake is a beautiful example of how we can find balance between indulgence and nourishment.
If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out for you! Share your experiences in the comments or tag me on social media. Let’s inspire each other to bake with love, mindfulness, and a touch of creativity.
Happy baking! 🍰💛
With love and support,
