Spiced Cake With Vanilla Frosting

Like the brownie recipe I previously posted this is a dessert; it's full of sugar but it also has some nuts, zucchini and other hidden goodness.  So don't let your children or yourself chow down on the whole cake in one sitting.

Spiced Cake

Ingredients

2/3 cup whole wheat bread flour
1/3 cup panela
1 tablespoon flax meal
1 tablespoon oat bran
1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup macadamia nuts
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (use a little less if you are using table salt)
1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (I used thawed zucchini that I pre-shredded and froze last summer in 1/2 cup measures)

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350F
2. Spray with oil 9x5 loaf pan and set aside
3. Crush macadamia nuts. Place nuts in ziplock bag and hit over and over with rolling pin or metal measuring spoon until all the nuts are crushed. Be careful not to bust the bag.

4. Combine dry ingredients - the first 13 ingredients - and mix well.
5. Form a well in the centre of the dry ingredient bowl and add remaining 3 ingredients; mix well.
6. Pour batter into greased loaf pan.
7. Bake in pre-heated oven for 45 minutes or until done.
8. Turn out unto cooling rack and serve warm as is or let cool completed then frost with vanilla buttercream frosting or your favourite icing.

Vanilla Frosting

Ingredients

3 cups icing sugar
1 - 100g YoBaby vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup room temperature butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Directions


1. Combine in stand mixer bowl yogurt, both vanillas and butter. Whisk with whisk attachment until smooth about 6-8 minutes.
2. Slowly add icing sugar; once all icing sugar is incorporated whisk on high for 5 minutes.
3. Extra frosting will keep in the freezer in an air-thigh container for about 6 months.

Frosting Direction for Spiced Cake

1. Using a very sharp bread knife cut fully cooled cake in half lengthwise - so you get 2 cakes one top and bottom.  Place top half aside.

2. Take 3/4 cup frosting and 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut and mix well.  Carefully frost bottom layer with this mixture.  I ended up having to much frosting so I put some away in the freezer.

3. Place top half of cake back on and frost top with plain vanilla frosting.  Frost sides if desired (I did not)