A slice of chocolate cake contains typically about 350 calories. The ‘culprit’ is none other than the copious amounts of white flour and sugar that go into the cake batter. And if you layer your cake with some frosting made from butter, that’s another 20 calories with some amount of saturated fat added to that slice of cake on your plate. Okay, breathe.
Is there such a thing as a healthy cake?
If you asked me, I’m not too particular about my calorie intake. Rather, I am more concern about whether the food I’m eating is nutritionally-dense or not. Isn’t it a waste to consume calorie-laden food which is low in nutritional value? I guess the trick to healthy eating is about making sure that the food you consumed has nutritional benefits to sustain your health. Having that said, are there such things as nutritionally-dense chocolate, cakes or ice creams? Surprise, surprise.
Yes, this baker makes nutritionally-dense vegan cakes that are high in protein.
Raw Chef Andrea Lee is the lady behind The Clean Addicts, a dessert shop that specialises in creating customised cakes and other sweet bakes with whole foods and other natural ingredients. Her cakes are vegan-friendly, cholesterol-free and gluten-free. They are also low in refined sugars. So if you are sensitive to sugar, you can request for a natural sugar substitute.
Her vegan and gluten-free cakes should be labelled with ‘the Healthier Choice Symbol’.
Instead of using regular white flour, she replaced it with homemade oat flour which is pack with dietary fibre. She also uses kidney beans in place of butter to create that cakey and buttery texture in fudge cakes. Even the cake frostings are made using dairy-free ingredients like nut butter. In addition, to sweeten the cakes, she uses dates and dried fruits.
As a result, her cakes are lower in calories as compared to regular cakes which are made with flour, butter and eggs. They are also nutritionally-dense as it contains kidney beans which are a great source of protein. For you gym-goers, this will make a good post-gym indulgent treat or snack.
Kidney beans are also high in minerals and vitamins like iron, copper, potassium and vitamin K1.
Less is more.
The cakes come in various sizes starting from 6″ (for vegan and gluten-free fudge cakes and 5″ for raw vegan cheesecakes. The cake itself is so dense with rich in flavours so a slice of it is all you’ll need to satisfy your sweet cravings.
Also, because it is made with ingredients that are high in fibre, each slice of the cake actually fills you up quickly. You can have a slice of it for breakfast or as a snack. Who knows? You might even experience a more regular bowel movement as a result of eating a slice of their cakes.
Enough said. Let’s move on to the gorgeous-looking signature cakes by The Clean Addicts.
Flourless Cacao Wholefoods Fudge Cake (Gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar-free)
The cake is itself is a work of art. It looks like an enchanted garden nestled on solid chocolate grounds. It would probably be more apt to call it the ‘Garden of Eden’ with those beautiful dried flower petals and berries that adored the cake. The mini tangerines added that much-needed pop of ‘sunshine’ that brightens up the ‘garden’.
It’s not just a pretty-looking vegan cake.
After savouring all three of The Clean Addicts’ cakes, I would say that the cocoa wholefoods fudge cake is probably my favourite among all as it resembles a classic chocolate fudge cake.
Initially, I am torn between all three cakes as each has its own distinct flavour and it all tasted delicious. But if you are new to the concept of vegan cakes, I would recommend this cocoa fudge cake which has a dense fudge-like cake texture.
I love the combination of the dark chocolate with the sweet dried figs and seasonal fruit toppings. The natural sweetness from the dried figs helps to balance out the bitterness in the dark chocolate. Overall, it has a nice balance of flavours.
It would have been perfect if it has some added crunch or crisp for some added textural dimension to the overall taste.
The Ingredients
Kidney beans, homemade oat flour, sunflower seeds, unsweetened cacao powder, dates, vanilla extract, dairy-free 74% dark chocolate, fresh seasonal fruits, dried figs, dried cranberries, organic mulberries and dried florals
Dark Earl Grey Wholefoods Fudge Cake (Gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar-free)
For the adventurous souls (or those who love the combination of Earl Grey and lavender), you will enjoy their Dark Earl Grey Wholefoods fudge cake which has hints of lavender in it.
This is one exciting cake that truly excites your tastebuds. The saltiness from the sea salt flakes actually enhances the dark chocolate and earl grey flavours in the cake. And the addition of the crunchy pumpkin seeds gives this cake and added texture dimension.
The Ingredients
Kidney beans, dates, homemade oat flour, earl grey tea, sunflower seeds, dairy-free 74% dark chocolate ganache, pumpkin seed crunch, freeze-dried berries and lychee, lavender buds and flaked sea salt
*Seasonal* Double Matcha Fudge Cake (Gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar-free)
For matcha lovers, you will absolutely fall head over heels with their double matcha fudge cake. They use premium Japanese powder so you can certainly taste the intense matcha flavour.
Surprisingly, the matcha goes really well with kidney beans – like how matcha is usually paired with red beans. I’m glad that they added almonds which is the perfect topping for a matcha cake. And the low-fat raw matcha cashew frosting is absolutely divine. It’s the frosting that made this cake extra delectable.
The Ingredients
Kidney beans, rolled oats, dates, Japanese matcha powder, sea salt, activated cashews (soaked for 12 hours), freeze-dried fruits, organic mulberries, almond flakes and dried florals.
Matcha Bliss Cookies (Vegan, refined sugar-free with gluten-free option available)
Can’t get enough of matcha? The Clean Addicts also bake cookies. They have just launched these eggless and vegan matcha cookies that come in a kraft bag. Each bite-sized cookie is topped with either dark chocolate chips or a dollop of peanut butter.
They made great Christmas gifts for family and friends. It’s one of the best guilt-free crunchy treats you can get for them. They will thank you later!
The ingredients
Organic wholemeal flour, unbleached flour, unrefined cane sugar, Japanese matcha powder, 100% peanut butter, dairy-free 74% dark chocolate, non-GMO soy milk and sea salt.
Special thanks to The Clean Addicts for delivering these yummy vegan treats over!
You can shop online at thecleanaddicts.com or email them at hicleanaddicts@gmail.com. Check out their IG: @thecleanaddicts.
