Orange Ginger Christmas Cake

A recipe for Christmas cake with the spice of ginger and the tang of orange. Quick and easy to prepare, it makes a perfect dessert or party treat. Dairy free, it’s suitable for people who are lactose intolerant.

• Ingredients
• Method
• Nutritional content

Ingredients

Makes 15 servings 

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup mild-flavoured extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 large eggs, yolk and white separated
• 2 Tbs grated orange zest
• 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
• 100 g chopped crystallised ginger
• 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 2/3 cup plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 5 oranges, separated into segments

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180^oC. Line a 20 cm round cake pan with baking paper and oil lightly.
2. Stir together honey, remaining oil, egg yolks, zest, juice and 3 tablespoons of crystallized ginger in a bowl.
3. Sift whole-wheat pastry flour, flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl.
4. Beat egg whites with a mixer on high until soft peaks appear (1–2 minutes).
5. Stir the honey mixture into the flour mixture until smooth.
6. Fold in the egg whites with a spatula.
7. Pour the mix into the prepared pan.
8. Bake the cake until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean (around 35 minutes).
9. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool.
10. Just before serving, garnish with the remaining 2 tablespoons of ginger and orange segments.

Preparation time: 50 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Difficulty rating: Medium
Tips

• For a healthy dessert that’s packed with calcium, pour low-fat yoghurt or calcium-enriched soy yoghurt (if you are lactose intolerant) over the cake before serving. Calcium is important for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Some people have higher calcium requirements, including:
  • Pregnant women in the second or third trimester;
  • Breastfeeding women;
  • People who do not eat dairy products, which are the best source of calcium (e.g. because they are lactose intolerant); and
  • Adolescent girls and mature women.
• As a more festive alternative to yoghurt, try making your own healthy custard with low-fat milk and low sugar.
• Choose the brand of yoghurt with the lowest fat content by checking the nutrition panel of the product label. Consuming low-fat dairy products is one step you can take to reduce your fat intake. This is an important part of improving your diet and reducing your risk of developing chronic health conditions like obesity.

Andy in Nerang, QLD, bakes this cake for a Christmas treat.

Nutritional content

Nutritional analysis per serve:

Energy	697 kJ 167 cal
Protein	2.88 g
Total fat	5.67 g
Saturated fat	1.03 g
Carbohydrates	25.59 g
Total sugars	16.99 g
Fibre	2.17 g
Sodium	284.06 mg
Cholesterol	29.44 mg
Potassium	142.70 mg

 

More information

For more information on nutrition, including information on types and composition of food, nutrition and people, conditions related to nutrition, and diets and recipes, as well as some useful videos and tools, see Nutrition.