The family loves tea cakes and my mom in particular loves Xmas cakes. It takes us all to the Annual Nilgiris cake fest held at Bangalore where various huge themed cakes made their annual appearance much before they became trendy in the baking world !
With the holiday season upon us, it was natural to bake a xmas fruit cake which was not boozy ,sugar-heavy or with any fancy fittings- something that my family would enjoy.
My husband believes that food can be as healthy as you want it to be , and this cake is a success in that direction. With no added sugar, and made from various millets, this is surely not your typical Xmas cake, but as a family we loved it a lot.
Wishing all you readers a very happy X-Mas and a joyous year ahead.. !
Adapted from Various recipes, this is a no-sugar added bake and this cake made its way to our tummies as an early Xmas treat!
Other Xmas treats that you could try :
Mini Spinach and Cottage Cheese Tarts
Vegan Dark Chocolate Crinkle Brownies
Let’s get to see how to make this recipe...
PIN FOR LATER
Vegan millet based xmas cake
Prep time - 25 Mins, bake time -40 mins ; Makes - 8~10 medium slices
Dry ingredients
Finger millet(ragi) flour - ½ cup
Little millet flour - ¼ cup
Foxtail millet flour - ¼ cup
Wholewheat flour - 1 ⅓ cup
Cornflour - ⅔ tsp
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Cinnamon powder - ½ tsp
Baking soda - ½ tsp
Salt - ⅛ tsp
Nutmeg powder - ½ tsp
Clove powder - ¼ tsp
Wet ingredients -
Mixed nuts chopped - ⅔ cup (I used cashew, almonds, black raisins and pistachio)
Dates - 10-15 (I used Mejdool de-seeded dates)
Fresh orange juice - 1cup
Olive oil / any neutral oil - ½ cup
Hot water - ½ cup
Tutti fruiti - ¼ cup (candied papaya) - optional.
Orange zest - 1 TBSP
How to:
- In a pan, bring the hot water to a rolling boil , add chopped dates and let it boil for 4-5 mins till dates are soft but not mushy. Cool slightly and Add the baking soda to this mixture and mix, it will froth a bit, but that’s ok. Let it settle down
- Meanwhile, In another bowl, soak the finely chopped dry fruits in room temperatures orange juice for 20 mins.
- Sift the dry ingredients twice over in a large bowl.
- Preheat oven to 170C and grease a baking dish (I used a Bundt pan)
- In another large bowl, add all the soaked dates, oil, soaked dry fruits, Orange Zest + juice well. Add this wet mixture to the dry mix and slowly fold till no dry streaks appear. Add a little more hot water ½ teaspoon at a time or pure orange juice if the mixture appears too dry. Add in the tutti frutti if using .
- Pour the cake batter to the prepared cake pan, bake for 30-35 mins or till a skewer comes clean.Tent the pan if you feel it’s browning too quickly.
- Cool on a wire rack and de-mould gently. Let it cool to room temperature and slice as required.
Srivalli says
That's surely one different and healthy Cake for xmas. Very nicely baked.
Priya Iyer says
This looks amazingly good, Kalyani! 🙂 Delicious and healthy treat for Christmas!
Rafeeda AR says
That is such an amazing and goodness filled bake... I agree that bakes don't necessarily be full of butter, eggs and sugar... 🙂
Sujata Roy says
Wow cake with millet flour. Loved this healthy bake. Cake looks delish.
vaishali sabnani says
Millets in Christmas Cake ? Wow ! You really think healthy , super nutritious and healthy cake !
Priya Suresh says
Woww millets in christmas cake this is absolutely fantabulous Kalyani, what a tremendous cake there. Looks absolutely incredible.
Nalini's Kitchen says
Millet cake sounds innovative and interesting,a healthy version of Christmas cake.
Gayathri Kumar says
That is such a nutritious cake for Christmas, Kalyani. Looks wonderful and I am sure it tastes amazing.
Poonam Bachhav says
This millet Christmas cake sounds so healthy and delicious ! Very innovative share !
veena says
That is a healthy and nutritious cake kal. I am bookmarking this
Vidya Narayan says
Your husband is actually right and this is one amazing bake with the combo of millets and whole wheat. Kids and adults both happy. Desserts don't need to be overtly sweet or heavy always. Tea cakes as these are best with a cup of chai or coffee.
Unknown says
Millet Cake is looks super healthy and a perfect treat for this Christmas. My Son will love it.
Suma Gandlur says
Bookmarked, Kalyani. This healthy cake with millets sounds and looks fabulous.
Swati says
Cake with millets and whole wheat what a delicious treat rich in nutrients and full on flavours!! Perfect bake for Christmas.
Pavani says
Beautiful Christmas fruit cake Kalyani. Love how you made it healthy with nutritious ingredients.
Varada's Kitchen says
A very unique base for the cake. The crust looks very rustic. Nice one.
preethi'scuisine says
This Millet cake sounds absolutely interesting.So healthy and nutritious. Fab share Kalyani.
SRI says
The millet and dry fruits cake looks delicious, mouthwatering actually. It looks soft and moist. The orange juice would give it great flavour. Lovely share, Kalyani! Sujata Shukla from PepperOnPizza
cookwithrenu says
A very healthy cake for xmas. Looks delicious and yum
Sasmita says
Vegan Millet Xmas Cake looks so festive here ! combo of millet and wheat flour is a WOW factor particularly here
mildly indian says
Wohooo, millet cake. I cant wait to try this. I have been looking for a fool proof recipe for baking with millets. Glad you perfected one.
Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen says
wow, you what a perfect cake with millets, superb kalyani! perfect bake for the festive season!
www.annapurnaz.in says
This is indeed a healthy cake with healthy flours and without any added sugar. I'll certainly make it as I have never made or tasted a sugar free cake