So March in the bakery is a really busy time with birthdays! It’s was our owner Mimi’s Birthday on the 10th (find her birthday cookie recipe here) and it’s also my birthday on the 25th. Last year we got to add another birthday to our March calendar, Koa was born on March 2nd! Koa is Kimmy and Chris’s son and this year he turned 1 year-old. Kimmy asked us to make Koa a cake for his birthday party, without using regular cane sugar. We made the cake and Kimmy topped it with fresh raspberries as frosting. Find the recipe below, along with some great photos that Mimi took at Koa's first birthday party!
I also had a moment to talk to Kimmy about how her life has changed in this last year. Here is what she had to say:
Thea: Koa turned 1 on March 2, so you have officially been a mom for a year, how has your life changed since having Koa?
Kimmy: What a wild experience the first year of motherhood is! I would say the biggest way my life has changed is that I have learned to appreciate the present moment and a slower pace of life, a lot more than I ever did in the past. I have always been a very busy, on-the-go, active woman. And this past year has helped me learn to slow down to really marvel in all the small moments of watching a baby learn and grow. To be honest, it's be a very challenging process for me to still balance my career as a professional snowboarder, which has required a lot of International travel. So that meant we brought Koa to 5 countries, in the past year! But looking back, I'm so grateful we did all of that with him. It just showed me that when you have a baby you don't have to stop living the life you always had! It takes more effort, and there's a lot more exhaustion but it's worth it in the end.
T: Is motherhood what you thought it would be?
K: Motherhood has been so incredible, and so hard at the same time! I am in awe of all mothers because of how much sacrifice it takes to nurture a baby. All of your energy goes into taking care of them, but at the same time they give you so much energy and love. The love between a mother and baby is unlike any other love. But I never realized how exhausting being a mom could be. The sleepless nights and feeding schedules seemed daunting for a long time. Now that Koa is a 1 year-old, I look back and it feels like it flew by, but maybe that's because he's sleeping with only one feeding at night now, in comparison to the 3-4 he did for 11 months. :)
T: Koa has been all over the world in his first year, including: Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Costa Rica. What is it like to travel for work with a baby in tow?
K: Traveling with a baby requires a lot more gear and a different level of patience. I have had to re-prioritize my schedule to accommodate nursing and sleep schedules, but to watch Koa light up at sights all over the world has been magical. He's got to wake up to monkeys in Costa Rica, see penguins in New Zealand, Kangaroos in Australia, and ski attached to Chris in Japan. All of these experiences make all the hard travel days worth it.
T: For Koa’s first birthday you decided to give him a variation on a cake without sugar, what made you decide that?
K: My decision to give Koa a cake without sugar was because I don't think its necessary for a baby to have sugar before they know what it is. Once he comprehends what sweet treats are, then we can have a discussion about how to manage sugar intake. Don't get me wrong, Chris and I have a very big sweet tooth! But I want Koa to learn what sugar is and realize that it's something special to eat.
T: Owning a bakery, Koa will be around sugar a lot. When do you think you’ll let him have sugar?
K: We will gradually introduce sugar to him over this next year. Like I mentioned above, we just want to wait until Koa starts asking to have treats or starts realizing what treats are before we introduce it to him.
T: Now that you have been a mom for a year, what kind of tips do you have for maintaining an active lifestyle while being a mom?
K: My biggest tips for maintaining an active lifestyle are to make a point to get outside everyday. If I am with Koa, I try to go on a walk, soak up some sun rays, and show Koa all the beautiful elements that nature offers by pointing at trees, birds, snow, and so many more things. If I have alone time, I love getting out on the mountain to snowboard.
Koa's First Birthday Cake
Makes 1 layer 6-inch cake
Batter
1/2 stick (57 grams) vegan butter stick (like Earth Balance)
35 grams (1/4 cup) organic coconut sugar
1 organic large egg
109 grams (3/4 cup) all natural cake flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Jam
1 cup fresh organic raspberries
Topping
Fresh organic blueberries
Method Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 6-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
To make the cake: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the vegan butter and coconut sugar. Mix on low until combined and there are no butter chunks. Add the egg and mix on low until combined.
In a separate bowl, add the cake flour, baking powder, and sea salt and whisk together. Add to the sugar mixture and mix on low until combined.
Transfer the batter to the cake pan and spread out completely so it’s even.
Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the cake pan.
To make the jam: Blend raspberries in a food processor until smooth. Spread over top of cake. Top with blueberries.
High Altitude – Bake at 350°F for 17 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Did you make this recipe? Make sure to tag @dessertdorganic on Instagram!