Winter warming spiced cake

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! 😀

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.Help animals this November

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:

  • Environment: animal agriculture is the source of 51 per cent of all greenhouse gases and 91 per cent of Amazon rainforest destruction, and it’s the number one cause of species destruction and ocean dead zones.
  • Health: eating animal-derived foods can clog your arteries with cholesterol and increase your risk of suffering from obesity, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
  • Animals: a vegan lifestyle is the most effective way to protect animals. You can save lives every single time you eat.

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! 🙂

Date cake (3)

Cake time! 🙂

 

Winter Warming Spiced Cake (Vegan & Free-From)

  • Servings: 16 squares
  • Difficulty: medium
  • Print

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).

Date cake (7)

Dates. Cake. Date cake!

dates cake (2)

Am I sharing???!

No Comments

  • Eva 1st November 2017 at 11:30

    Ooh, dates are life as far as I’m concerned…both cakes featured look fab, thanks for sharing x

    Reply
  • Tammy Twinkle 1st November 2017 at 12:00

    Your cake looks absolutely delicious❣️Thank you for the reference.
    Kind regards,
    Tammy

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 1st November 2017 at 15:04

      Thank you Tammy! Love your photos 🙂 Off to eat more cake! 😀

      Reply
  • Megala 2nd November 2017 at 13:47

    Lovely cake ! Like to try asap !!

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 2nd November 2017 at 14:30

      Thank you Megala 🙂 I hope you enjoy it – definitely a cake and custard type of day here!

      Reply
  • Pamplemousse 3rd November 2017 at 16:54

    Thank you! I cannot wait to try this!

    Reply
  • FrugalHausfrau 14th November 2017 at 00:49

    I love dates and this looks perfect for fall. 🙂

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 14th November 2017 at 17:59

      Thanks Mollie 🙂 Dates are great in cakes – especially at this time of year! Do I have time to make some more of this before dinner….

      Reply
  • Sophie 16th November 2017 at 07:42

    I saw this delicious cake on instagram so I needed to,make it like right now! It is the perfect Fall cake! So tasty!

    Reply
    • Life Diet Health 16th November 2017 at 12:59

      Hooray! Thanks Sophie! Its perfect for this weather with a cup of tea 🙂

      Reply

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