As we model our lives after the life of Jesus, we care for those close to us. We cook for our friends and share life with them as did our Savior and Lord.  I want to share two cake recipes received many years ago from two of my friends.  I have made these cakes healthier by eliminating the oil and the sugar.  Surprisingly, they are still moist and delicious.

Apple Cake

2 cups mashed ripe bananas
3/4 cups applesauce (I used 2 small individual containers)
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups whole wheat flour (use whatever flour you want including gluten free, almond flour, or processed oats)
3 cups diced apples
2 cups walnuts

Cream bananas and applesauce.  Add vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and soda.  Stir until well blended.  Gradually add flour.  Fold in apples and walnuts.

Pour into a Bundt pan (I oiled the pan with olive oil as I did not want to risk this delicious cake sticking). This can also be baked in a 9×13 inch glass baking dish or silicone pan which requires no oil.  Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. (I used a clean broom straw from the top of the broom to test for doneness. If the straw comes out clean it’s done.). Let set a few minutes and then turn out onto cake plate .

Note:  Zucchini can be substituted for the bananas but you would probably want to add some sweetener if you used zucchini.  Experiment, adding sweetener to taste.  The recipe originally called for a cup of honey.

Chocolate Cake

Follow the recipe for apple cake,

adding 2/3 cup cocoa powder or the amount you want to add for taste.  (I judged by color and wanted mine dark.).

Add sweetener to taste.  The recipe called for a cup of honey.  I used about 2/3 cup of honey.

For spices I used 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon allspice.

Bake in Bundt pan.

To make a glaze blend together cocoa powder (about a fourth cup),

sweetener to taste (I used 3 Tablespoons)

Add a teaspoon of cornstarch and

2 tablespoons  water and

2 tablespoons milk (Nondairy milk was used).

Slowly heat in saucepan until slightly thickened, stirring constantly.  This cooks quickly.  Remove from heat.  Gradually add 2 or more tablespoons of milk to thin to glaze consistency and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Pour over baked cake which has cooled slightly.

I hope you enjoy these cakes and will want to prepare them for your friends.  When I baked the chocolate cake for a get together, my friend who teases me about my healthy cooking gave me a thumbs up.  I was elated.