Kale Cake with Apple Frosting
User Reviews
4.8
Kale Cake with Apple Frosting
Description
The Kale Cake with Apple Frosting combines cooked kale with grated apple in a sweetened, spiced batter. The kale is steamed briefly to remove toughness, then pureed with eggs, oil, vanilla extract, applesauce, and sugar to create a green, moist base. This is gently folded with flour, baking powder, and salt to maintain tenderness and lift.
Grated apples squeezed of excess moisture add subtle texture and sweetness, complementing the natural earthiness of kale. After baking in two 8-inch round pans, the layers are cooled and spread with an apple-flavored frosting made from icing sugar, softened butter, applesauce, and vanilla extract, which adds creamy sweetness and moisture without overpowering the cake.
This cake delivers a balance of vegetable and fruit flavors in a moist, tender crumb that can appeal to those looking for a subtly different dessert. The apple frosting highlights the fruit flavors and softens the earthiness of kale for a pleasant finish.
For best color and flavor, use fresh kale and be careful not to add excessive kale to avoid overly strong greens flavor. Also, pureeing kale with the wet ingredients in a blender ensures consistent green color and smooth texture.
Ingredients
- 3 cups kale raw, woody stalks discarded, loosely packed, 200g
- 3 egg
- ½ cup vegetable oil 100ml
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup applesauce see notes on how to make your own, 100g
- ¾ cup granulated sugar 175g
- 2 apple peeled and grated
- 2 cups plain flour 250g
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Apple Icing (double to frost the sides as well as the top and middle)
- 2 cups icing sugar 250g
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 tablespoons applesauce smooth, puree if necessary
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F. Grease and line 2 x 8”(20cm) round cake pans with baking paper.
- Tear the kale leaves into bite-sized pieces and boil or steam for 3-5 minutes until tender. Refresh by running under cold water, drain and squeeze out the excess liquid.
- Add the kale to a blender (or a large bowl and use a stick blender) with the eggs, oil, vanilla, applesauce and sugar and whiz until smooth.Note: if you've made this kale cake recipe before, you'll have been instructed to puree the kale with a stick blender, then stir it into a bowl of beaten egg, oil, applesauce, vanilla ,and sugar. I've tested it again many times and although you can do it that way, it's easier to blend the kale with the liquid ingredients.
- Pour the blended kale mixture into a mixing bowl. Squeeze the excess moisture out of the grated apple, then add the apple to the bowl and stir to combine.
- Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt and gently combine, taking care not to overmix at this stage.
- Pour into the prepared pans and bake for 20-25 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.
- Cool for 2 minutes in the pans and then turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For the apple frosting
- Beat the butter, apple sauce and vanilla, then sift in the powdered sugar and beat until thick and smooth. If necessary, add a little more powdered sugar to thicken, or a tablespoon of milk to thin.
- Frost the completely cooled cake. And, if desired, decorate the top wiht blueberries.
Notes
- Steaming kale before blending softens its texture and mellows bitterness.
- If applesauce is unavailable, steam and puree apples as a homemade substitute.
- Flax eggs can be used as an egg replacement to make the cake vegan.
- Use fresh kale for a brighter green color; avoid adding too much kale to prevent overpowering flavor.
- Puree the kale directly with wet ingredients in a blender for consistent color and texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 349 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 349kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 58g | 19% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 45mg | 15% |
| Sodium | 137mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 225mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 39g | 78% |
| Vitamin A | 1800IU | 36% |
| Vitamin C | 21.5mg | 24% |
| Calcium | 65mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1.5mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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