Slimmed-down
spice cake

Who can turn down the fragrant aroma and mouthwatering taste of an applesauce spice cake?

The only thing holding back one of our readers is the fat and calories of the original recipe. A small, snack-size serving contains 120 calories and 6 grams of fat. But with a few easy changes, you can have a dessert with 50 percent less fat and 25 percent fewer calories.

Removing 3/4 cup canola oil and replacing it with applesauce is the major change in terms of lowering fat and calories. We also suggest reducing the nuts by half, cutting back the raisins and eggs and omitting the extra egg yolk. The amount of baking powder is increased slightly to maintain the density of the original cake.

To lower fat and calories even more, substitute chopped apples for the nuts. For some added zing, add 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger or pumpkin pie spice to the dry ingredients.

Original Applesauce Spice Cake

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup canola oil
4 large eggs
1 extra egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups applesauce
1/2 cup chopped raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts
New Applesauce Spice Cake
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups applesauce
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1/3 cup raisins
1 teaspoon powdered sugar

Line two 12-by-8-inch baking pans with wax paper. Set aside.

Thoroughly mix dry ingredients. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk eggs and then add other wet ingredients. Slowly add dry ingredients until well-blended. Stir in nuts and raisins. Pour into baking pans and spread evenly with a spatula.

Bake at 325 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes, until a knife inserted into the center of cake comes out clean. Cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Makes 48 pieces.

Approximate nutritional analysis per piece, original recipe: 120 calories, 6 g total fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 130 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrate, 1.5 g protein.*
Approximate nutritional analysis, per piece, new recipe: 90 calories, 2.5 g total fat, 0.25 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 130 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrate, 1 g protein.*

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If you want a lower-fat makeover of your recipe, mail recipes to Recipe Makeover, Features Department, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, HI 96802. Or email to drdobbs@juno.com using Recipe Makeover as your subject title. Make sure to include your name and phone number or email address.

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Health Events

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Barbara Burke is a Hawaii-Pacific University instructor who has been teaching
and writing about food and nutrition since 1975.

Joannie Dobbs, Ph.D., C.N.S., is a food and nutrition consultant
and owner of Exploring New Concepts, a nutritional consulting firm.
She is also responsible for the nutritional analyses
indicated by an asterisk in this section.

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