This incredible healthy oat cake combines the natural sweetness of carrots and oranges without any refined flour or sugar. With its moist texture, creamy filling, and vibrant orange glaze, this nutritious dessert proves that healthy baking can be absolutely delicious. The cake takes just 15 minutes to prepare and delivers amazing flavor while being packed with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 medium carrots (~200g / 7 oz), grated
- 3 tablespoons yogurt or sour cream (45ml / 1.5 fl oz)
- 2 tablespoons olive or coconut oil (30ml / 1 fl oz)
- 1 orange, zested and juiced (~80ml / 2.7 fl oz juice)
- Natural sweetener to taste (stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol)
- 1 tablespoon raisins (15g / 0.5 oz)
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 2 cups oat flakes (200g / 7 oz)
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon (4g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (5g)
- A little lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
For the Cream Filling:
- 1.5 cups cream cheese, cottage cheese, or ricotta (350g / 12 oz)
- 1 tablespoon yogurt or sour cream (15ml / 0.5 fl oz)
- A little lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Orange Glaze:
- Orange juice (~100ml / 3.4 fl oz)
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar (30g / 1 oz)
- 1 tablespoon almond flakes (10g / 0.3 oz)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease an 18×18 cm (7×7 inch) baking pan.
- Prepare orange by pouring boiling water over it, then zesting and juicing.
- Grate carrots finely on a fine grater.
- Make oat flour by grinding oat flakes in a food processor until fine.
- Mix wet ingredients in a large bowl: grated carrots, yogurt, oil, orange zest, orange juice, sweetener, and raisins.
- Separate eggs and add egg yolks to the carrot mixture, whisking well.
- Combine dry ingredients: oat flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and lemon juice. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients.
- Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the batter in three additions.
- Bake for 50 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Make cream filling by mixing cream cheese, yogurt, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth.
- Prepare glaze by heating orange juice and sugar, stirring constantly until it boils and thickens slightly. Add almond flakes and cool completely.
- Assemble cake by cutting cooled cake in half horizontally, spreading cream filling between layers.
- Finish by drizzling with orange glaze and optionally sprinkling with toasted ground almonds before serving.
Time & Servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 portions
Nutrition (Per Serving)
Calories: 280
Protein: 12g
Carbs: 28g
Fat: 14g
Fiber: 4g
Why This Recipe is Good for You
This healthy oat cake provides excellent nutrition without compromising on taste. Oats deliver beta-glucan fiber that supports heart health and helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Carrots add natural sweetness along with beta-carotene for eye health, while oranges provide vitamin C and antioxidants. The absence of refined flour and sugar makes this cake suitable for those watching their glycemic intake, and the protein-rich cream cheese filling adds calcium and satisfying protein to each serving.