We all love chocolate cakes so why not bake our own cake which is both healthy and tasty! In this recipe, we use ragi which is a powerhouse of nutrients, especially calcium which is required for healthy bones and teeth. Also, we have completely avoided using refined flour (maida). Do try this cake and share your feedback.
Ingredients:
For cake:
1 katori ragi flour
1 katori whole wheat flour
¾ cup butter/canola oil/olive oil
½ cup curd
½ cup brown sugar or jaggery powder or refined sugar (sugar amount can be adjusted as per taste)
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp coffee powder (optional)
1 tsp vanilla essence
¾ cup water
For frosting (optional):
Option 1: Using cocoa powder
2 tbsp whole wheat flour
2 tbsp butter
4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
4 tbsp brown sugar or refined sugar
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
A pinch of salt
Option 2: Using dark chocolate
100 gm dark chocolate
100 gm fresh cream
Serving: 9
Calorific Value (per serving):
Energy: 387 kcal
Protein: 5 gm
Carbs: 36 gm
Fats: 25 gm
Fibre: 5 gm
Method:
Steps to make cake batter:
In a large bowl take sugar/jaggery, oil, curd and vanilla extract. Whisk this mixture well until the sugar/jaggery melts completely.
Place a sieve over the bowl and add ragi flour, whole wheat flour, cocoa powder, coffee powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Sieve this mixture into the bowl.
Now using cut and fold method mix the mixture.
Keep adding water slowly while mixing to prepare a batter of smooth consistency.
Take a cake mould and grease it properly with some oil. Dust this mould with little whole wheat flour so that bottom of the pan become non sticky.
Transfer cake batter into this mould. After transferring the batter, tap the mould twice to level up uniformly and remove any air bubbles if present.
Steps for baking:
Pre-heat the oven at 180 degree centigrade for 10-15 minutes.
Now place the cake batter in the oven and bake at 180 degree centigrade for 30-35 minutes.
To check whether cake is baked properly, insert a toothpick and see if it comes out clean. If it is not baked, then cover the cake top with foil paper and bake it for 5-10 minutes more.
Once baked, let the cake cooldown for 10 minutes and then unmould the cake.
Steps to make frosting using cocoa powder (Option 1):
Heat butter in a pan. Once heated, add whole wheat flour.
Stir the flour till it turns golden brown. At this stage, add cocoa powder and mix it well.
Now add milk, sugar and salt.
Keep stirring the mixture at low flame till it gets a thick and smooth consistency.
Let this mixture cool down for 5 minutes.
Steps to make frosting using dark chocolate (Option 2):
Heat cream on a high flame in a pan.
Crush dark chocolate into small pieces and add it into the pan.
Let this mixture sit for 1 minute to allow the chocolate to melt.
Whisk slowly but thoroughly to mix the cream and chocolate well into a shiny, deep brown, dark chocolate frosting.
Steps to frost the cake:
Once the cake has cooled down completely, spread chocolate frosting generously on sides and tops.
Level up the frosting using knife or spatula.
Refrigerate the cake for 30-40 minutes.
Your delicious healthy ragi chocolate cake is ready!
Health benefits of Some Major Ingredients
Ragi
Ragi is a millet which is packed with all the essential macronutrients - carbohydrates, fibers, fats and proteins, along with noteworthy levels of key micronutrients - vitamins and minerals. Ragi is a rich source of calcium which is required for healthy bones and teeth. In addition, ragi contains considerable quantities of vitamins C and E, to boost immunity, and skin and hair health.
Cocoa powder
Unsweetened cocoa powder is not only an incredibly rich and delicious, but it also delivers incredible nutritional value to your diet. Cocoa powder is rich in important micronutrients such as magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese. Cocoa powder has many antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components which help in decreasing inflammation, improving heart and brain health, and fighting against cancer. Cocoa powder can deliver healthy fibres and has low carbs per serving, so it can help in healthy bowel movement, controlling blood sugar level and weight reduction. Eating chocolate usually make people happy, so consuming unsweetened cocoa powder can help in promoting better moods, reduce fatigue and lower depression, without consuming unnecessary sugar.