Date and Carob Cake

Love chocolate cake but want a healthier alternative? Try this delicious date and carob cake with vegan or wheat-free options.

If you are wheat-free, use rye or spelt flour. You may wish to also add a banana for extra moisture. To make the cake vegan, use soya milk.

Ingredients

350g chopped dates
1 tsp baking soda
1½ cups boiling water
1 tsp coffee powder
2 tsp vanilla essence
½ cup apple juice concentrate
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 cub carob powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup milk
1 cup rice bran oil
1 ripe mashed banana (optional)
icing and fresh raspberries (to decorate)

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 160°C  and line a cake tin.
2. Combine dates, baking soda, boiling water, coffee powder and vanilla. Set aside to cool.
3. Then add the apple juice, and oil.
4. Sift in the flour, cinnamon and carob. Fold together and add milk and banana to a soft dropping consistency.
5. Spoon into the tin and bake approx for 55 mins.
6. Ice when cool and serve with raspberries.