This simply delicious cake takes two family favourites, moulds them together and removes the added sugar to create a healthier version that's sure to be a hit.
Poppy Seed and Lime Drizzle Cake by Phil Vickery
Preparation time: 20 minute Cooking time: 35 minutes plus cooling time
Ingredients:
- 125g plain flour
- 1 level tsp baking powder
- 175g butter, soft
- 175g Total Sweet Xylitol
- 3 medium eggs
- Zest of 3 large limes, (or 3 lemons if you prefer) finely grated
- 50g ground almonds
- 25g poppy seeds
- 50ml skimmed milk
Syrup:
- Squeeze about 100ml juice from 3 large limes (or 3 lemons), and half t
- he zest from above
- 30g Total Sweet Xylitol
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C, fan 160°C, gas mark 4. Line the sides and base of a 20cm square cake tin, with baking parchment
- Sieve the flour and baking powder, mixing together evenly.
- Using an electric mixer and a separate bowl, beat the butter and the xylitol together until light and fluffy.
- Whisk in the eggs gradually, adding a little flour with each one, and half the zest of the limes or lemons. Keep the juice for later.
- Fold the remaining flour into the cake mixture and stir in the almonds and poppy seeds, adding enough milk to make a soft consistency, so that the mixture is just dropping off the spoon.
- Spread the cake mixture into the prepared tin, smooth the top and bake for about 35 minutes, until firm and springy in the centre. Test with a skewer, if it comes out clean or a few crumbs clinging, it's done.
- Remove from the oven and leave to cool slightly.
- While the cake is still warm, make the syrup for the drizzle: mix the juice of the limes, or lemons, the remaining zest and the xylitol.
- Poke a few little holes all over the top and spoon the syrup over slowly, to leave a satisfying, moist and crunchy topping.
- The almonds in the mixture lend a soft and fluffy texture to this sponge that is just right for soaking with the drizzle. You can of course leave the nuts out: in which case substitute 50g extra flour instead. For me though, without ground almonds the texture is a little light and airy to hold a decent amount of syrup.
- Although this recipe makes a traybake to cut into bars or squares, you can also make it as a loaf cake to slice.
- Oil and line a small loaf tin and increase the baking time to up to 50 minutes.
Phil Vickery
As a father, and general advocate of healthy living Phil appreciates the need to eat healthier, but as a chef he always wants to create dishes that look and taste amazing and in particular desserts that feel indulgent and a little bit naughty.
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It is this cooking contradiction that has been the drive behind the creation of this collection of recipes, which aim to provide healthier alternatives that taste and look just as impressive as their traditional alternatives.
