I think I speak for most of the Covance Volunteer Recruitment team when I say that every day is World Cake Day for us. But can you celebrate this momentous occasion when you’re on a restricted diet? These 3 cake recipes show that with few tweaks, everyone can enjoy a sweet treat without compromising on health!
1) Coeliac-friendly Lemon Drizzle Cake
When someone has coeliac disease, their immune system over-reacts to gluten. Eating gluten can cause permanent damage to a coeliac’s intestinal system, resulting in stomach upsets, fatigue, ‘brain fog’, depression, mouth ulcers, and possibly even infertility. Gluten is a key component of wheat flour, so it is found in a vast range of foods including bread, pizza, pasta – and yes, cakes. This lemon drizzle recipe bypasses flour in favour of another secret – and quite unexpected- ingredient!
200g butter
200g golden caster sugar
4 eggs
175g ground almonds (or polenta,to make nut-free alternative)
250g mashed potato (roughly 2 small/medium potatoes)
Zest of 3 lemons
2 tsp gluten-free baking powder
For the syrup
4 tbsp granulated sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
Preheat oven to 160c and grease a 20cm round cake tin.
Cream the butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl. Beat eggs and gradually add to mixture and fold in dry ingredients.
Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes, spoon over syrup and leave to cool fully.
This makes a deliciously moist cake – I’d recommend eating with a spoon or a fork with tea, coffee or as a dessert!
2) 5 minute chocolate mug cake for diabetics
Life with diabetes can feel like a mathematical balancing act – sugary treats and calorific food can be enjoyed in moderation, but diabetics must be prepared to manage the subsequent changes in their blood sugar level. This super-quick microwave pudding contains just 7.1g sugar per serving, so it is a relatively guilt-free way to participate in World Cake Day!
1 large banana
1 large egg
4 heaped tsp cocoa powder
6 tsp artificial sweetener (stevia works well)
60g fat free yoghurt
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp gluten free baking powder.
Slice banana and divide between 4 small cups
Mix beaten egg, cocoa powder and sweetener in a mixing bowl. Add yoghurt and almond extract, beat and add baking powder.
Divide mixture evenly between cups, spooning onto chopped banana.
Microwave each cup for 2 minutes on full power and enjoy immediately!
3) Indulgent (yet low fat) Chocolate Cake
An estimated 1 in 4 adults in the UK is obese. Cutting out some dietary fats can have benefits beyond just shrinking your waistline, including reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, heart-attack, stroke, and ultimately increasing your life expectancy. Fortunately, cutting back on fat does not mean cutting out cake completely, as this recipe proves!
1 2/3 cups plain flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
2/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup applesauce (click here for an easy applesauce recipe)
1 1/2 cups fat-free yoghurt
1 tbsp vanilla extract
4 egg whites
Preheat oven to 180c, grease a large cake tin and line with baking paper.
Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Mix the sugar, egg whites and vanilla into a second bowl. Add to this the applesauce and yoghurt.
Mix wet and dry ingredients together and spoon into cake tin.
Bake for 30 – 35 minutes, checking regularly (due to its ingredients this cake can overbake quickly, so it will require a bit of attention whilst it’s in the oven!)
Happy Baking – and even happier eating!