Almond Berry and Coconut Cake, For Fitness and Weight Loss
by Tarla Dalal
The Almond, Berry and Coconut Cake is a dashing treat for the palate, with its melt-in-the-mouth texture and splendid flavour. This unique cake is made with almond flour, coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and honey, unlike run-of-the-mill cakes that are made with maida and sugar.
Your body will thank for the goodness of each of these ingredients! Almonds contain a lot of healthy fats, fibre, protein, magnesium and vitamin E. It helps lower blood sugar levels, reduces blood pressure and keeps cholesterol under check. Coconut is made of medium chain triglycerides, which are transported from the intestinal tract to the liver and immediately converted into fuel for your body!
Berries are very special too. They are rich in phytochemicals, which are naturally-occurring nutrients that protect our cells from damage. Pumpkin seeds too are a treasure trove of antioxidants. Berries are sweet, but not the kind that scares diabetics. Together with the honey, the berries make the cake pleasantly sweet. If you want it sweeter, you can add a little more honey.
This healthy treat is excellent for weight-watchers and athletes as it is rich in healthy fats. It can be relished any time, as a snack or as a dessert. You can also try other healthy treats like Almond Bread , Paneer Tikka , Broccoli and Bajra Snack and Deviled Eggs
Almond Berry and Coconut Cake, For Fitness and Weight Loss recipe - How to make Almond Berry and Coconut Cake, For Fitness and Weight Loss
Soaking time: 30 minutes Preparation Time: Baking Time: 25 minutes Baking Temperature: 150° C (400° F) Cooking Time: Total Time:
Makes 6 servings
1 cup almonds (badam)
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup coconut oil
3 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup freshly grated coconut
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (surajmukhi ke beej)
1/4 cup almond (badam) slivers
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
coconut oil for greasing
- Method
- Soak the almonds in enough hot water, cover with a lid and keep aside for 1 hour. Drain and peel them.
- Blend in a mixer along with the sea salt and blend well. Keep aside.
- Combine the coconut oil, honey, vanilla essence, 1 tbsp of water in a deep bowl and mix well using a spatula.
- Add all the other ingredients including the almond mixture and mix very well using a spatula.
- Grease a 175 mm. ( 7”) diameter aluminium tin with coconut oil, put the mixture into it and even it out using a spatula. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200ºc (400ºf) for 20 minutes.
- Serve hot.
| Energy | 388 cal |
| Protein | 8.6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18.1 g |
| Fiber | 2.8 g |
| Fat | 32.3 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Vitamin A | 79.4 mcg |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.2 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.2 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 2.1 mg |
| Vitamin C | 1.3 mg |
| Folic Acid | 39.3 mcg |
| Calcium | 65.2 mg |
| Iron | 2.1 mg |
| Magnesium | 140 mg |
| Phosphorus | 216.5 mg |
| Sodium | 4.2 mg |
| Potassium | 359.5 mg |
| Zinc | 2.1 mg |
This forms a perfect snack during the day or a quick bite at night post dinner. All the ingredients in this recipe are well thought off and are super foods. Almonds the key base ingredient here contains a lot of healthy fats, fibre, protein, magnesium and vitamin E. Eating Fats shifts your body towards fat burning and hence weight loss. If you made this same recipe with maida then it would cut your fat burning and push you your insulin which you don''t want to do. Having refined carbs will slow your metabolism and shift your body towards fat storage. Berries are also a great addition to this recipe against adding raisins which are not that healthy. Thanks for this awesome recipe.