If you're just starting out on your solids journey, you probably aren't looking for snack foods to offer just yet. BUT just as breakfast doesn't need to be a sweet or fruity option, snack foods don't need to be limited to morning or afternoon tea. Offering a snack option like a muffin, fruit or a slice with a main meal is a great way to offer variety but also start to normalise these types of foods from a young age. 

Many parents are worried that by offering "sweets" their bub will developing a preference for these foods and it will lead to fussy eating and a refusal of veggies. There is no need to fear sweet foods though and offering them regularly can take them off a pedestal and teach our kids that there is nothing mythical about them. Food is just food. 

In saying that, many commercial snack foods, cakes, muffins and slices have a lot of added sugar. Where possible, we really want to limit added sugar for little ones, especially before the age of 2. Although this recipe is sweetened with fruit, it doesn't have added free sugar. You can also reduce the dates if you wish. 

This is also a great recipe if you have older kids in the house that need something for the lunch box, but you also want to be able to offer it to your bub too. It also goes very well with a cup of coffee for mum and dad!