Everyone will love this carrot cake: Parents will love that all the sweetness comes from pineapples and maple syrup; birthday boys and girls will love that it tastes great! It’s perfect for toddler parties, in sum.

Ingredients:

For the cake:

• 1 and 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup oat flour
• 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, divided
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup canned crushed pineapple
• 1/4 cup Earth Balance butter, softened
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup grated carrot

For the cream cheese frosting:

• 1 cup non-dairy cream cheese
• 1/3 cup canned crushed pineapple
• 2 tablespoons apple juice

1. To prepare the cake, combine the flour, oat flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 teaspoon baking powder with 1 cup crushed pineapple. Add the Earth Balance butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, stirring until combined.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until wet. Mix in the grated carrots.
4. Spoon the batter into a lightly-oiled round cake pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
5. To prepare the frosting, combine the cream cheese, 1/2 cup pineapple and apple juice in a stand mixer; beat until combined.
6. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake.

The birthday girl loved watching this bake in the oven.

The best kind of anticipation!