Recipe: The “Glow-Up” Oatmeal Fruit Cake
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 45–50 minutes
Servings: 8–10 slices
Ingredients
The Base:
3 cups Old-fashioned rolled oats (divided: 2 cups blended into flour, 1 cup left whole)
1 ½ tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Ground cinnamon
½ tsp Ground ginger
¼ tsp Sea salt
The Wet Ingredients:
2 Large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan)
1 ½ cups Unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup Pure maple syrup or honey
1 tsp Vanilla extract
½ cup Milk of choice (almond, oat, or dairy)
The Fruit & Nut Mix:
1 ½ cups Mixed dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots, or dates)
½ cup Chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
Prep: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Make Oat Flour: Place 2 cups of the oats in a blender and pulse until they reach a fine, flour-like consistency.
Mix Dry: In a large bowl, whisk the oat flour, the remaining 1 cup of whole oats, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
Mix Wet: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir until just combined, then fold in your dried fruit and nuts.
Rest: Let the batter sit for 5 minutes. This allows the oats to hydrate, resulting in a better texture.
Bake: Pour into the pan and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool: Let it cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing. This cake “sets” as it cools!
💡 Notes & Pro-Tips
The Texture: Expect a dense, moist, “baked oatmeal” texture rather than a fluffy sponge cake.
Fruit Hydration: If your dried fruit is very hard, soak it in warm water (or orange juice!) for 10 minutes before adding to the batter for extra juiciness.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze individual slices for a quick “grab-and-go” breakfast.
🥗 Nutritional Info & Benefits
Nutrient Per Serving (1 slice)
Calories 240 kcal
Fiber 5g
Protein 6g
Sugar 14g (Natural)
Why it’s good for you:
Sustained Energy: High in complex carbohydrates from oats, which have a low glycemic index.
Heart Healthy: Oats contain beta-glucan, a soluble fiber known to help lower cholesterol.
No Refined Sugar: Relies on the natural sweetness of applesauce and dried fruit.
❓ Q&A
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Absolutely. Just ensure your oats are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.
Q: It feels a bit wet in the middle, did I undercook it?
A: Because of the applesauce and oats, it is naturally very moist. However, if it feels “gummy,” let it cool completely; the structure firms up significantly at room temperature.
Q: Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?
A: You can! Fresh blueberries or diced apples work well, but keep in mind they release more moisture, so you may need to bake it for an extra 5–10 minutes.