Looking for a guilt-free dessert that doesn’t compromise on taste? This healthy oatmeal fruit cake is the perfect solution for anyone wanting to enjoy a sweet treat without flour or refined sugar. Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, fresh fruits, and nuts, this moist and flavorful cake proves that healthy baking can be absolutely delicious. The natural sweetness from apples and bananas, combined with the tartness of dried cranberries and the crunch of walnuts, creates a perfectly balanced cake that’s suitable for breakfast, afternoon tea, or dessert.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 85 g (3 oz / ¾ cup) rolled oats
- 2 medium apples, peeled and cored
- 80 ml (⅓ cup) hot water
- 1 ripe banana
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 tsp Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 50 g (¼ cup) dried cranberries
- 50 g (¼ cup) raisins
- 40 g (⅓ cup) walnuts, chopped
- 1 tbsp honey for drizzling
For the Topping:
- 1 tbsp Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 tbsp chopped walnuts
Instructions
Preparing the Base
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a 20cm (8-inch) loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil.
Step 2: Place the rolled oats in a food processor or high-speed blender and grind them finely until they form a flour-like consistency. This oat flour will be the base of your healthy cake.
Step 3: Wash and peel the apples, then remove the cores and chop them roughly. Place the chopped apples in a small saucepan with the hot water and cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until they soften. Transfer to a food processor and blend until you have a smooth applesauce consistency.
Creating the Batter
Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground oats with the warm applesauce. Mix well to ensure the oats absorb all the apple mixture.
Step 5: Peel the banana and mash it thoroughly with a fork until completely smooth. Add the mashed banana to the oat and apple mixture, stirring until well combined.
Step 6: Crack the eggs into the bowl and whisk them into the mixture until fully incorporated. The batter should start to come together at this point.
Step 7: Add the baking powder, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to the batter. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients.
Step 8: Stir in the Greek yogurt or sour cream, which will add moisture and a subtle tangy flavor to the cake.
Adding the Fruits and Nuts
Step 9: Rinse the dried cranberries and raisins in hot water to soften them slightly. Drain well and pat them dry with paper towels. This step prevents the dried fruits from absorbing too much moisture from the batter.
Step 10: Fold the prepared cranberries and raisins into the batter, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Step 11: Give the entire mixture a final stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly. The batter should be thick but spreadable.
Baking the Cake
Step 12: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. The mixture should fill the pan about two-thirds full.
Step 13: Sprinkle the chopped walnuts evenly over the top of the batter, gently pressing them down slightly so they adhere to the surface.
Step 14: Drizzle the honey over the top of the cake, creating an even coating that will help create a beautiful golden finish.
Step 15: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden brown and spring back when lightly touched.
Preparing the Topping
Step 16: While the cake is baking, prepare the topping by mixing the Greek yogurt or sour cream with honey in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and well combined.
Step 17: Chop the additional walnuts finely and fold them into the yogurt mixture.
Finishing Touches
Step 18: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Step 19: Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle or spread the prepared topping over the surface.
Step 20: Slice and serve your healthy oatmeal fruit cake. Each slice is aromatic, naturally sweet, and incredibly satisfying.
Time and Serving Information
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 35-40 minutes Total Time: 55-60 minutes Servings: 8-10 slices Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information (Per Slice)
- Calories: 165
- Protein: 4.2g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Dietary Fiber: 3.8g
- Total Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8g
- Natural Sugars: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Potassium: 245mg
- Calcium: 35mg
- Iron: 1.2mg
This nutritious oatmeal fruit cake is an excellent source of fiber, healthy fats from walnuts, and natural antioxidants from the fruits. The absence of refined flour and sugar makes it a perfect choice for those following a healthier lifestyle without sacrificing flavor. The combination of soluble fiber from oats and natural fruit sugars provides sustained energy, making this cake ideal for breakfast or as a post-workout snack.
The cake stays moist for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature, or can be refrigerated for up to a week. For longer storage, individual slices can be wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months, making it a convenient healthy treat to have on hand whenever cravings strike.