This Healthy Strawberry Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting combines the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and fresh strawberries with a light, moist cake base. It’s a healthier alternative to traditional cakes, using whole ingredients like whole wheat flour, natural sweeteners, and lighter cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a special occasion or just a healthy treat, this cake is packed with flavor and nutrients.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (you can also use spelt or almond flour for a gluten-free option)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (or Greek yogurt for extra protein)
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil or olive oil (melted)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz low-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (for a lighter texture)
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp milk (to achieve desired consistency)
Instructions
Making the Cake:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. The bananas provide moisture and natural sweetness, so be sure to use ripe ones.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: To the mashed bananas, add the applesauce, honey (or maple syrup), coconut oil (or olive oil), eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon (if using), and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense.
- Fold in the Strawberries: Gently fold the chopped strawberries into the batter. This adds a burst of fresh flavor and natural sweetness to the cake.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures they stay moist and don’t collapse.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Mix the Frosting Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, beat together the low-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy.
- Add Sweeteners and Flavor: Stir in the honey (or maple syrup) and vanilla extract. Adjust the sweetness to your liking. If the frosting is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to achieve your desired consistency.
- Chill the Frosting: Chill the frosting in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to make it easier to spread.
Assembling the Cake:
- Layer the Cake: Once the cakes are fully cooled, place one layer of the cake on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on top.
- Top with the Second Layer: Place the second layer of cake on top of the frosting and press down gently to ensure it sticks.
- Frost the Cake: Spread a thick layer of cream cheese frosting over the top and sides of the cake. Use a spatula to smooth out the frosting.
- Decorate (Optional): For an extra touch, you can garnish the cake with fresh strawberries or banana slices for a beautiful, vibrant finish.
Enjoy!
This Healthy Strawberry Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is light yet flavorful, offering a great balance of sweetness and richness without all the heavy sugars and fats. Perfect for any occasion, this cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser while keeping your health in check!