Treats for tots: cherry & coconut cakes

Tempting your tot to tuck into a cherry and coconut cake drizzled with dark chocolate may not seem like a sensible solution to satisfying their sweet tooth, but this healthier, homemade alternative will allow you to do just that - without the worry of widening their waistline!

Ingredients:

• 100g margarine 
• 40g stevia (a sweetener) 
• 200g wholemeal spelt flour
• x1 egg
• 1tsp vanilla essence 
• 5g dark chocolate - of at least 80% cocoa 
• cherries and desiccated coconut - the quantity can be tailored to compliment you and your youngster's personal preference/s.

How to create the cakes:

• Mix the margarine and sweetener (stevia) in a bowl until a (relatively) smooth consistency is created - stir in the egg and vanilla essence.
• Fold the flour and salt into the mixture before adding the cherries and coconut - continue to mix thoroughly until all of the ingredients are combined.
• Using your hands, roll the dough into bite size balls and transfer onto a tray - pop in the fridge to chill for 15 minutes.
• Once chilled, use a wooden spoon to carefully squash the balls down to create a cookie like appearance.
• Pop in the oven to bake for 15 minutes (or until a knife comes out clean) at 170C.
• Leave to cool before drizzling with melted dark chocolate (this can be melted in the microwave).
• Serve as a tasty treat before storing the remaining cakes in an airtight container (for up to one week).

Top tip: although these sweet treats won't sabotage your youngster's silhouette (unless continuously over consumed in excess!), encouraging them to master the meaning of moderation is essential for ensuring healthier habits during adolescence and adulthood. 

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