“Stressed” spelt backwards is “Desserts” and cakes are delicious desserts, which we simply cannot resist. Feasting on a piece of cake after dinner or nibbling on a pastry in between work hours satisfies the soul as much as the body. But cakes are loaded with calories, and hence, we cannot indulge ourselves as much as we would like to.

What if we can find healthier options for baking that perfect cake, which looks and tastes like the one you got from cake delivery? Then, you can have your cake and eat it too!

Typically, the main ingredients of a cake are flour, butter, eggs and sugar. Butte contains saturated fats, which contribute to most of the fat content in cakes. Saturated fats are known to block blood vessels and increase levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood. If we replace butter with healthier alternatives, it would make baking more enjoyable and guilt free.

Here is a list of ingredients, which could be substituted for butter.

1. Olive Oil

Olive oil has been used in dressing salads. But yes, we can bake with it too. It contains the healthy unsaturated fats. So, the added calories of this oil are actually beneficial for the heart.

Proportion: Substitute 3/4^th cup of oil for each cup of butter while baking.

2. Yoghurt

Yoghurt is full of healthy bacteria and adding it will boost up your protein intake too. Baking with it will make the cakes moist and fluffy.

Proportion: For each cup of butter, use ½ cup of yoghurt

3. Avocados

By swapping avocado for butter, you are replacing the saturated fats with healthy mono and polyunsaturated fats. Avocados also contain high amounts of potassium, fibre and Vitamin K. Baking with avocados will significantly reduce the fat and calorie content. But, be prepared for a change in the colour of the batter. It will turn slightly green.

Proportion: ½ and ½ mix of avocados and butter will yield a soft and delicious cake.

4. Bananas

Bananas are ideal substitutes for butter in cakes, which have a rich and dense texture. The calcium and minerals present in it add to the goodness of the cake.

Proportion: Substitute an equal amount of banana for the butter required in the recipe.

5. Applesauce

Applesauce is a great swap for butter. It ensures moist and delicious cakes with reduced calories.  It works great and gives the cake a moist and fluffy texture. If you cannot find apple sauce in the supermarket, check the baby food section for stewed apple.

Proportion: Replace half the amount of butter in your recipe with apple sauce.

6. Pumpkin Puree

A fabulous substitute for muffins and coffee cakes, pumpkin puree ups the nutritional value while adding very few calories. Pumpkin contains potassium, fibre and Vitamin K. Mail a pumpkin puree cake through cakes delivery to your loved ones, and they wouldn’t be able to recognize the swap you made.

Proportion: Replace each cup of butter with 3/4^th cup of puree.

7. Coconut Butter

Coconut butter is the meat of the coconut ground it a paste. It shouldn’t be confused with coconut oil. The versatile coconut is packed with many essential fatty acids, brain-boosting nutrients, fibre and even protein. It is low in sugar and this makes it a healthy alternative to butter.

Proportion: Replace equal parts.

Now we can bake a nutritious cake packed with a host of vitamins and minerals. Cause, baking calms the mind and soothes the soul.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 21st, 2016 at 9:58 am and is filed under Cakes Delivery. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.