When it comes to desserts, fruit cake holds a special place in many hearts. However, traditional fruit cakes often come laden with sugar and heavy ingredients. But fear not! There are healthier versions of fruit cake that are just as delicious, if not more so. In this blog, we’ll explore 2 mouthwatering recipes for fruit cakes that are nutritious, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion.
Let’s talk about the recipes.
1. Oatmeal Fruit Cake:
Ingredients:
– 1 ½ cups whole oats flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– ½ teaspoon baking soda
– ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– 2 eggs
– ½ cup honey or maple syrup
– ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 cup mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, cranberries, apricots, and dates)
– ½ cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or almonds)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the whole oats flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs, then add the honey or maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the dried fruits and chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the fruit cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
2. Vegan Fruit and Nut Cake:
Ingredients:
– 1 ½ cups whole oats flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– ½ teaspoon baking soda
– ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal + 6 tablespoons water)
– ½ cup maple syrup
– ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 cup mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, cranberries, apricots, and dates)
– ½ cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or almonds)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan.
- In a small bowl, prepare the flax eggs by mixing together the ground flaxseed meal and water. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the whole oats flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, combine the prepared flax eggs, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the dried fruits and chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the fruit cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
With these healthy and delicious fruit cake recipes, you can enjoy the classic dessert without any guilt. So go ahead, indulge in a slice (or two) of fruit cake, knowing that it’s both delicious and good for you!
