As I mentioned in my previous article, as a parent of a young child, besides the usual Christmas tasks, it's certainly worth planning the holiday menu in advance, as it's good to introduce ingredients that haven't been introduced yet to our baby who has entered the complementary feeding phase in time. 

Unfortunately, several ingredients are listed as allergens or choking hazards in complementary feeding charts. It's also important to consider that if there's a problem, help may arrive more slowly, as most places are only operating on an emergency basis at this time. Therefore, it's important to start introducing untried foods in time, so that during the Christmas hustle and bustle, we don't have to worry about, for example, an allergic reaction.

A well-known dish can often provide a great basis for introduction, such as baby pancakes (made with bananas, possibly dairy and egg-free pancakes) which can be easily spiced up with a little cinnamon or chestnut.

And which are those essential baking ingredients that might be worth introducing before the holidays, and from when can they be given? 

Let me show you!

 

 

- Dried fruits: ground, washed from 9 months old, chopped, whole after 3-4 years old (important to be sulfur dioxide-free if possible)

- Food containing lemon peel: from 8-9 months (from untreated lemons)

- Star anise: from 8-9 months

- Walnut: before 1 year old (only ground, heat-treated, in small quantities)

- Yeast: from 8 months old

- Cinnamon: from 7 months old

- Chestnut: from 6 months old (natural)

- Cashew, poppy seed, almond: before 1 year old (only ground, heat-treated, in small quantities)

 - Honey: after 1 year old (!)

- Peanut: from 11-12 months old (only ground, heat-treated, in small quantities)

- Baking powder (phosphate-free): from 8 months old 

- Clove: from 7 months old

- Nutmeg: from 7-8 months old

- Baking soda: from 8 months old

- Vanilla: from 7 months old

- Herbs: from 8-9 months old

As seen in the list above, honey is unfortunately prohibited under one year of age. This does not necessarily mean that the family has to give up festive gingerbread!

The following "fake" gingerbread can be given to little ones from 9 months old, of course after safely introducing all ingredients.

 

Ingredients for the "honey" cake: 

- 180 g flour

- 3/4 tablespoon gingerbread spice mix (or the already introduced spices)

- 2 tablespoons unrefined cane sugar

- 1/3 teaspoon baking soda

- A pinch of salt

- Seeds from 1 scraped vanilla pod

- 75 g butter

- 2-3 tablespoons milk (oat drink for under 1 year)

- Zest of half an organic lemon 

- 1 teaspoon organic lemon juice 

 

Mix the dry ingredients, then pour in the melted milk and margarine. (It's also easiest to melt the sugar here.)

Knead, cut out shapes, and depending on the shape and thickness, bake at 170 degrees for about 20-25 minutes. 

 

If the finished treats are intended for small children, there's no need to decorate them, as it's best to keep the "excessive" sugar content in check. 

The heavenly aroma and your child's enjoyment will compensate for the lack of fancy decorations. 

Wishing you a pleasant Christmas preparation and enjoy the cake!