There’s nothing quite like the internal warmth you get from adding spices to baked goods, and ginger would have to be one of my favourites (just quietly… even more than cinnamon)!
Gingerol is the main constituent in Ginger, and predominantly responsible for its significant pharmacological effects including being a wonderful circulatory stimulant. It is also what gives ginger its signature humming heat and pungency.
One of the best things about it is its culinary diversity - being utilized equally in both sweet and savoury foods. But the presence of ginger in baked sweet treats is certainly the most reminiscent of era’s gone by, perhaps due to its first appearance in German Gingerbread Houses during the 16th Century.
This gluten-free and refined sugar-free cake will not do its old-fashioned counterparts a disservice! The almond meal keeps it moist and almost pudding like, whilst the dates provide the necessary sweetness to temper the spicy ginger without being too cloying… you have to try it!
Ingredients for Warming Ginger Cake with Orange Yoghurt Glaze
- 1 ¼ cups blanched Almond meal
- 2 eggs
- 10 pitted dates soaked in boiling water (preferably medjool)
- 1 Tablespoon ground Ginger
- ½ Teaspoon ground Cardamom (or 1 teaspoon of ground Cinnamon)
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract (or essence)
- ½ Teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda
- Juice of ½ Lemon
- ¼ Teaspoon of Salt
- 1 Tablespoon of Light Olive Oil
- Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius. Grease and line a loaf tin or Spring-form pan.
- Drain the dates and place in a Food Processor or Blender, and blend until smooth. Add the almond meal, ginger, cardamom, salt, vanilla, and oil and pulse to combine. Add the eggs and pulse again. Mix in the lemon juice and bicarb soda with a wooden spoon.
- Spoon into prepared tin and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until risen and golden brown.
To make Yoghurt Glaze:
- ½ Cup Icing Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Greek Yoghurt
- Zest of an Orange
- ½ Tablespoon of Orange juice (More if needed)
- After the Cake has cooled, make the Glaze by whisking all ingredients together until well-incorporated.
- Drizzle over the Cake.
