For many people, birthdays are a time of celebration with family and friends.  When I was growing up, there was usually a  homemade meal (my choice) with a special cake.  That’s it.

I don’t know what has happened in the last 40 years, but kids birthday parties have become a celebration laden with processed, sugar-filled snacks, cake, cupcakes or all of the above!

In our house, our girls’ birthday celebrations tend to go on for a week or two after their actual birthday.  We celebrate the actual birth day at home with a special meal of their request and a special dessert, they have a party with their friends and usually a celebration with each side of our families.

Our girls are very fortunate to be so loved and celebrated.

But after so many celebrations, I am often looking for a different option other than a gluten-free cake, cupcakes or The Best Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies (turned into ice cream sandwiches). I try to find something that tastes great but has some nutritional value.

And, yes, I am happy to say that there is really a healthy birthday cake that is delicious and made from all natural ingredients.

I think it was my mom who first introduced me to the possibility of a healthy birthday cake.  It’s a great idea to have your cake and make it healthy too.  t is not mine and the recipe has been fine tuned over many creations.

Through the years, Brad has used fruit platters to celebrate our kids birthday in the mornings.  This evolved to me using fruit instead of sugar and combining it with a recipe that was picked up somewhere along the way.

It is not my original idea but has been fine-tuned over many creations.

This healthy birthday cake is made up of two main ingredients and held together with a natural “icing.”

Are you intrigued?

We just celebrated my nephew’s 13th birthday and he requested that we have my Fruit Turtle Cake, a healthy birthday cake, for his celebration with us.  No complaints here…this is one of my favourite cakes too.

This healthy birthday cake is called a Fruit Turtle Cake because of its appearance if you use some artistic flare.  It took me some practice to get the shape and layering down but it tastes just as delicious made in a bowl.

The bulk of the cake is made from peeled kiwis and bananas and the “icing” is made from dates, coconut and coconut water.

It is easy to make but does take some time to prep the fruit and to make the paste.

But the effort is worth it and if you can recruit some help, it will be done in no time.

So, here’s the recipe for a healthy birthday cake option…

Need a new idea for a celebration?

Fruit Turtle Cake – A Healthy Birthday Cake

Serves: 10-12

Ingredients:

18 Medjool dates, pitted

1 1/2 cups of organic, unsweetened, desiccated coconut

1 1/2 cups of coconut water or plain water

16 kiwis

6 bananas

Instructions:

1. In a blending or using a Braun hand mixer, place the dates, desiccated coconut and coconut water.  Combine until it reaches an “icing” consistency.  Make sure the dates have been blended and that you are able to spread the mixture.
2. Peel and thinly slice 13 kiwis and place in a bowl (leave 5 kiwi whole for the head and feet).
3. Peel and slice the bananas and place in a separate bowl.
4. On a large serving platter, plate or tray, create a footprint of the turtle using the date mixture.  You want to make sure that it is in the form of a circle (around 7″ in diameter).
5. Place your first layer of banana, making sure to cover the entire footprint.
6. Add a second layer of date mixture.  Spreading it with a knife.
7. Place your first layer of kiwi on top of the date mixture.
8. Repeat the layering process, making sure that you create a dome shape as you add the rest of the layers.
9. Once you have a dome shape, cover the top layer all around with the date mixture.
10. Create a turtle “shell” but placing kiwi slices over the whole dome.
11. Peel the remaining kiwi and form a head and four feet.  Secure using toothpicks if desired.

This cake is best prepared fresh but if you are going to make it a few hours ahead of time, you can roll a few sheets of paper towel up and place it around the turtle cake (to catch some of the fruit juices) and store it in the fridge.

Next time you are looking for a healthy birthday cake, give this one a try.  I think you’ll love it too.