My kids love these easy-prep bars which are taken from my fourth book, The Ultimate Weaning and Toddler Cookbook. All the sweetness in these baby-friendly bars comes from fruit, not table sugar. They’re a great alternative to little packet cake bars that you can buy in the shops and that so many kids love. They are perfect for an easy for an on-the-go snack too.
I also love serving them as a make-ahead breakfast with a dollop of yogurt and a handful of berries. You can even try them as a healthy birthday cake for babies or toddlers.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20- 25minutes
Makes: 12 mini ‘loaves’ or cakes
Ingredients
- 200g raisins (or sultanas)
- 2 tbsp boiling water
- 1 ripe banana (about 100g), peeled
- 75ml vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp milk of choice
- 200g self-raising flour
- 2 tbsp ground almonds (leave out or swap for 2TBSP extra of flour, if you wish)


Method
- Preheat the oven to 200C/180 fan. Line a 12-hole mini loaf tin or a 12-hole cupcake or muffin tin with cases.
- Pop the raisins or sultanas into a food processor with the boiling water and give it a whizz to chop it up really well.
- Add the banana, oil and milk and give it another whizz.
- Pop in the flour and almonds and give it a pulse. Check it is all mixed in then divide the mixture between the cases.
- Bake in the middle of the oven for around 20-25 minutes (or until cooked through and golden).
- Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes then remove to a cooling rack before serving.
If you’d like to read more about sugar for babies and toddlers, check out my post. You may also like to try some of my other snack recipes like my chocolate raisin bread or my no-bake, no-added sugar energy bites. For more baby and toddler friendly recipes, you can visit my complete recipe blog.


The Ultimate Weaning and Toddler Cookbook
Following on from her bestselling books How to Wean Your Baby, How to Feed Your Toddler and How to Feed Your Family, this book is packed with 100 simple yet nutritionally balanced recipes designed to make feeding your baby and toddler not only easy but also a truly enjoyable experience for the whole family.

