Cake

Reasonably healthy recipes

Cakes are a great place to sneak in nutrition. You can substitute part or all of the flour with whole wheat, and add tasty ingredients like nuts or fruit for more nutrition. The following recipes are all just variations of one recipe. Once you get the hang of it, you'll probably be able to make your own variations successfully.

Original Recipe: Moist Chocolate Cake

I first used this recipe years ago when sugar wasn't an issue in my diet, but sometimes I had vegan guests to feed. The egg is very optional, although I seldom use this recipe anymore, since cocoa needs so much sugar to be tasty.

Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly, then scoop out a hole in the middle and add the liquid ingredients. Only stir at the end, until fully mixed.

Dry ingredients :

3 C flour

2 C sugar

2/3 C cocoa

1 tsp. Baking soda

1 tsp. Salt

Liquid ingredients :

2/3 C oil

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 tsp. Vinegar

2 C liquid (coffee, milk, juice, or water)

1 egg (optional)

Bake 350 oF ( oC) for about 20 minutes, checking to see if it's thoroughly cooked.

Variation 1: Moist Carob Cake

No, carob is not a substitute for chocolate, but it is a fine substitute for sugar!

Mix these ingredients thoroughly, then scoop out a hole in the middle and add the liquid ingredients. Only stir at the end, until fully mixed.

3 C whole wheat flour

2/3 C carob powder

1 tsp. Baking soda

1 tsp. Salt

Liquid ingredients :

2/3 C oil

2 tsp. Vanilla

2 tsp. Vinegar

1/2 to 1 C orange juice concentrate

remaining liquid to 2 cups total

2 eggs (optional)

Bake 350 oF ( oC) for about 20 minutes, checking to see if it's thoroughly cooked.

Variation 2: Apple spice cake

This was my first variation, actually, but the kids tire of it more quickly than the carob.

Mix these ingredients thoroughly, then scoop out a hole in the middle and add the liquid ingredients. Only stir at the end, until fully mixed.

3 C whole wheat flour

1 tsp. Baking soda

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Ginger powder

1/4 tsp. Nutmeg, or allspice

dash of cardamon

Liquid ingredients :

2/3 C oil

2 tsp. Vanilla

2 tsp. Vinegar

1/2 to 1 C apple juice concentrate

remaining liquid to 2 cups total

2 eggs (optional)

Pour 1/2 of the batter into the cake pan, then add:

2 apples sliced thinly (optional)

on top of the batter. Layer the other half of the batter on top.

Bake 350 oF ( oC) for about 20 minutes, checking to see if it's thoroughly cooked.

Variation 3: Pineapple coconut cake

This is one of my favorite variations.

Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly, then scoop out a hole in the middle and add the liquid ingredients. Only stir at the end, until fully mixed.

3 C whole wheat flour

1 tsp. Baking soda

1 tsp. Salt

1 Cup coconut flakes

Liquid ingredients :

2/3 C oil

2 tsp. Vanilla

2 tsp. Vinegar

1/2 to 1 C pineapple juice concentrate

remaining liquid to 2 cups total

2 eggs (optional)

Sprinkle a little more coconut on top of the cake before baking.

Bake 350 oF ( oC) for about 20 minutes, checking to see if it's thoroughly cooked.

Variation 4: Poppy Seed Cake

This is a bit of an adult flavor, unless your kids like poppy seeds.

Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly, then scoop out a hole in the middle and add the liquid ingredients. Only stir at the end, until fully mixed.

3 C whole wheat flour

1 tsp. Baking soda

1 tsp. Salt

1 Cup poppy seeds

Liquid ingredients :

2/3 C oil

2 tsp. Vanilla

2 tsp. Vinegar

1/2 to 1 C orange juice concentrate

remaining liquid to 2 cups total

2 eggs (optional)

Sprinkle a little more poppy seed on top of the cake before baking.

Bake 350 oF ( oC) for about 20 minutes, checking to see if it's thoroughly cooked.

Variation 5: Orange Cake

When I run out of whole wheat flour, I still make this with white flour, and the kids love it. I prefer it with whole wheat.

3 C whole wheat flour

1 tsp. Baking soda

1 tsp. Salt

Dash of cinnamon (optional)

Liquid ingredients :

2/3 C oil

2 tsp. Vanilla

2 tsp. Vinegar

1/2 to 1 C orange juice concentrate

remaining liquid to 2 cups total

2 eggs (optional)

Bake 350 oF ( oC) for about 20 minutes, checking to see if it's thoroughly cooked.

Subvariations:

Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to batter.
Make with white flour.

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