Life Diet Health

Winter warming spiced cake

Laurena@LifeDietHealth

Winter warming spiced cake

Cold! Yes, winter is definitely approaching! SIX degrees centigrade this week (43f) after a balmy average of 16c (61f) over the half term holidays. So we need something warm and yummy whilst we curl up on the sofa with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book! 😀

This is one of those recipes that I’d bookmarked from another blogger and put in my ‘to make’ list… about 6 months ago! 😛 So I was having an inbox clear out and there was this ‘date cake’ staring at me! How could I resist such a delicious cake when the weather is perfect and I have all the ingredients! Tammy from Mrs Twinkle has the most gorgeous photos and this date cake post has lovely hand-painted work which might give you some (can I say it so early) Christmas ideas! 😀

The dates in this cake make it deliciously sweet with no added sugars

Oh and the cake, only a couple of tweaks as it was perfect already… it’s moist and spongy, lightly spiced, and you can can’t stop at one slice!!! 😀

Ooo and now it’s November which means World Vegan Month! 🙂 Did you know that you can improve your health, help save the environment, improve sustainability and help the suffering of animals just by eating a plant based diet!? Why not check out the benefits yourself and take the Vegan Pledge for 30 days?

The following information is taken from the PETA website of which I have no affiliation with other than for my own personal benefit.

Make a difference for animals this November by going vegan for 30 days.

Saving the environment, improving your own health, and preventing animal suffering – there are so many reasons to go vegan:

At least have a think about it and be conscious about your actions! If you’re stuck for ideas why not try these tacos or a delicious curry, maybe some pie or fritters? All of the recipes on Life Diet Health are suitable for a plant based diet and have been taste tested by lots of happy friends and family! 🙂

Cake time! 🙂

 

Winter Warming Spiced Cake (Vegan & Free-From)

  • Servings: 16 squares
  • Difficulty: medium
  • Print page

Gather

  • 1 tablespoon ground linseeds
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 4-5 medium apples (400g cooked weight)
  • Water for cooking (50-100ml)
  • 400g dates
  • 50g melted coconut oil
  • Juice of one lemon/lime (approx. 30ml)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 300g ground almonds
  • *Pecan halves for topping (optional)

Prepare

  1. Mix the linseeds with the water in a glass, stir well and set aside.
  2. Peel and core the apples, chop and place in a pan with enough water to come halfway up the apples. Simmer until just soft. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  3. While the apples are cooking, de-stone the dates and place in a food processor or blender.
  4. Add the apples, coconut oil, citrus juice, vanilla, cinnamon, mixed spice and ginger to the dates and pulse until combined.
  5. Pour in the linseed mixture and blend until just smooth.
  6. Stir in the almonds and mix well then pour into a lined or greased shallow tin. Decorate with pecans (if using).
  7. Bake at Gas Mark 4 (350f / 180c) on the lowest shelf for 60 – 90 minutes. The cake should be golden, pulling away from the edges and slightly firm to touch.
  8. Enjoy!

Serve & Store

  • Keep covered for up to 5 days.
  • Add your favourite nuts straight in to the cake – try pecan halves, whole hazelnuts or almonds.
  • Mix in some chopped apricots or a handful of raisins before baking.
  • Eat warm with custard, cream or ice-cream.
  • Swap half the almonds for oat flour for money saving!
  • Change the spices and make this into gingerbread cake (3 tsp ginger, 1/2 cinnamon, 1/2 mixed spice).

Dates. Cake. Date cake!

Am I sharing???!

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