Healthy Apple Pear Snack Cake Recipe

This Apple Pear Cake is super moist, made with no refined sugar, and whole grains. It’s healthy enough to eat as a snack!

Cake for a snack?  Absolutely!  Life is much too short not to eat cake for more than just dessert.  You don’t have to feel guilty about letting your little one eat cake for a snack when it is wholesome like this one. Want a piece for breakfast with your coffee? Go for it!

Pears and apples make a deliciously sweet combo, making you need a lot less added sugar while still having a sweet result. It’s one of my favorite fresh fruit duos for cakes. Moist, naturally sweet, and slightly tart – every bite is so perfectly balanced you won’t stop at just one!

You can serve this cake “naked” or with a delicious maple cream cheese frosting like I do sometimes. Either way, it’s so good!

Add this apple and pear cake recipe to your must-try list! You won’t be disappointed.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super versatile. What I love the most about fruit cakes is their versatility. You can use sliced, mashed, and pureed forms of the fruits and enjoy a different texture and flavor in each bite!

No refined sugar. You no longer have to slide cakes off your “healthy snacks” list. This delicious recipe has very little added sugar.

Loaded with nutrients. A cake that’s just as healthy as tasty? Give me! From fiber to vitamins and a tiny bit of protein – this cake has it all.

Great for breakfast. I’ll be honest: I’ve eaten this cake for breakfast many times, and I don’t regret a single bite! The combination of fruit and oats makes it a filling and nutritious breakfast option.

Easy to make. Don’t let the sound of a “cake recipe” intimidate you. This one’s a breeze to whip up, perfect for beginners.

A breeze to serve a crowd. One cake serves eight people with a sweet tooth. Serve it up at your next play date!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pear Puree – I love the taste of homegrown pears. But pick whatever’s available and make your own puree. You’ll need very ripe pears for this recipe. Apply gentle pressure near the neck if it yields; that’s your fruit. To double-check, smell the pears. Ripe and overripe pears have a stronger, sweet scent.

Unsweetened Apple Sauce – Store-bought apple sauce works well. It’ll add moisture to your cake. Remember, it has to be unsweetened!

Apple Juice – Again, no added sugars, please! Apple juice will enhance the feel of the cake in the mouth.

Banana –  The riper, the better. It’s a great natural sweetener and helps bind the ingredients together.

Whole Wheat Pastry Flour – I prefer using white whole wheat flour for its added nutrients, but you can use all-purpose flour if you prefer.

Oats – Oatmeal adds a nice texture and nutty flavor to the cake. Quick or rolled oats will both work well in this recipe.

Egg – Makes your cake batter smoother. I always use an egg at room temperature for hassle-free mixing.

Coconut Oil – Melt it in a small bowl in your microwave.

Vanilla Extract – I add some for the flavor.

Maple Syrup – Just a wee bit for a touch of sweetness. Feel free to use brown sugar if that’s what you have on hand.

Raisins – I think fruit cakes are incomplete without raisins. You can also use dried cranberries or chopped apricots if you prefer.

Spices – You’ll need cinnamon (for the batter and for sprinkling on the top), ground nutmeg, and salt.

Baking soda and baking powder are a given.

Serving Suggestions

This apple-pear cake is delicious on its own, but feel free to get creative with toppings and serving ideas! Here are a few suggestions:

• Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt or cream cheese (I use the maple cream cheese frosting from these Healthy Carrot Cake Cupcakes) for added creaminess. Sour cream and maple syrup also make a great topping combination.
• For a little extra crunch, sprinkle some chopped nuts on top (or in the batter) before baking. Walnuts or pecans would work well.
• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.
• You can also drizzle some vegan caramel sauce on top for added sweetness.

How to Make Apple Pear Snack Cake 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 8 inch square pan and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.  Set aside.
3. Peel and cut 2 medium-sized, very ripe pears into chunks.  Put into a blender and blend until smooth (this should yield about 1/2 cup).  Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, mash the banana.  It’s okay if it is a little chunky.
5. Add the pear puree, apple sauce, apple juice, egg, coconut oil, vanilla, and maple syrup and mix well.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until blended.  Fold in the raisins.
7.  Pour the batter into the greased pan and sprinkle with a little cinnamon.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating the pan 180 degrees half way through the baking time.  When an inserted toothpick comes out clean, the cake is ready.

 

If you love cake flavor, give these Birthday Cake Energy Balls a try! If you love healthy desserts, scroll below the recipe card to get some great ideas!

If you try this Apple Pear Cake recipe or any of my other healthy recipes, please let me know what you think in the comments below and don’t forget to leave a star rating. Share your photo on Instagram and tag me and I’ll feature you. I can’t wait to see you try this!

 

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Do I really need to report if Meghan liked this?  Of course she did.  Loved it is a more accurate description.  I’m sure I’ll be making this one again and again.  Feel free to eat this healthy cake for snack, dessert, or even breakfast.  Oh, yeah, it’s not just for toddlers.  The two adults in this house like it just as much as the little one.

More Healthy Dessert Ideas

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies

Baked Sweet Potato Pudding

Banana Oatmeal Bars

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

No Bake Almond Butter Cookies

Simple Baked Peaches

Baked Apples

If you’re looking for a dessert-like snack, try these energy balls!

This recipe was first published December 2010. New photos and a video were added December 2019, and new photos and details were added in 2024.