Citrus Poppy Seed Cake – The healthy option

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this zesty citrus poppy seed cake. Not only is it light, moist and decadent but it is also healthier than most cakes. This cake contains no added sugar, only honey.

The juice and zest of lemon and orange provide a deep citrus flavour. Adding an orange with lemon provides a deep citrus flavour. There is something just so refreshing about desserts flavoured with citrus. Even the cream cheese frosting has some zest as it is a combination of cream cheese, honey and lemon juice. The burst of sweet and tangy on your taste buds is utterly divine. So, this cake is perfect for those days when you crave that distinct citrus flavour.

Poppy seeds compliment this zesty citrus poppy seed cake as they add an appetizing crunch to this delightful sweet treat. Did you know that poppy seeds are a good source of fibre, copper, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium? All the more reason to use poppy seeds more generously in baking.  

Enjoy this cake as a mid-morning brunch, an afternoon snack or a healthy dessert after the main meal.

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Citrus Poppy Seed Cake

Recipe by Irene Muller Course: DessertCuisine: South AfricanDifficulty: Moderate

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Total time

45

minutes

Ingredients

• CAKE

• 750 ml All-purpose gluten-free flour (or flour of choice)

• 125 ml honey

• 10 ml baking powder

• 60 ml poppy seeds

• 2.5 ml salt

• 2 carrots, peeled and grated

• 250 ml orange sweet potato mash

• 125 ml almond milk (or milk of choice)

• 15 ml vanilla

• zest and juice of 1 lemon

• zest and juice of 1 orange

• CARAMELISED CITRUS

• 2 tablespoons honey

• sliced orange and lemon

• CREAM CHEESE FILLING

• 1 tub cream cheese

• ¼ cup lemon juice

• 3 tablespoons honey

Method

• Pre-cook the sweet potatoes. 
• Prepare lemon and orange slices.
• Squeeze the juice and grate the zest of the lemon and orange.
• CARAMELISED CITRUS
• Place a skillet on medium heat.
• Melt the honey and place slices of orange and lemon in the honey.
• Allow the slices to caramelise 10 minutes on each side until sticky and keeping the citrus colour.
• CAKE
• Preheat the oven to  160°C / 320°F.
• Prepare 2 cake pans 20 cm round or square.
• Line one tin with baking paper and spray with cooking spray.
• Spray the second baking tin with cooking spray.
• Pack the caramelised orange and lemon slices on the base of the baking tin that is lined with baking paper. 
• Place all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
• Slightly fold until well blended.
• Divide the batter and fill the two cake tins.
• Pour the batter into the prepared baking tins and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
• CREAM CHEESE FILLING
• Mix the cream cheese and honey together with the lemon juice.
• Remove the cakes from the cake tins, ensuring the cake with the orange base is on top.
• Place one cake layer on a serving platter or cake stand. Spoon the icing on top and spread in an even layer. Place the cake layer with the orange base on top.  

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Want to add some zest to your life? We have many citrus-flavoured recipes for you to try out. Just have a look at our recipe page for some amazing options.