Lovely Low-fat Lavender Tea Cakes

Forget crumbs, embrace the sponge.  When I started experimenting with yoghurt and applesauce in place of butter and oil, I discovered the texture of the cakes changed from crumbly cake to a nice moist sponge.

It makes snack transportation much easier, provides a great base for yoghurt and berry topped treats; Lord D and I have taken to sliding a thick piece in the toaster which really brings out the flavour of the lemon and lavender…just try that with cake!

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Lovely Low-fat Lavender Tea Cakes

Forget crumbs, embrace the sponge.  When I started experimenting with yoghurt and applesauce in place of butter and oil, I discovered the texture of the cakes changed from crumbly cake to a nice moist sponge. Use mini loaf pans makes this a quick tea treat to make.

Course Afternoon Tea

Cuisine Edwardian, English, Low Fat

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 6 mini

Ingredients

Tea cake

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup non fat plain yogurt
• 1 cup sugar or sugar substitute
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup applesauce unsweetened
• 2 tsp. lemon zest finely grated

Glaze

• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup sugar or sugar substitute
• 2 tsp. lavender buds dried
• 1/2 cup blueberries fresh (optional)

• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup sugar or sugar substitute
• 2 tsp. dried buds

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Prepare 6 or 8 mini loaf pans.
• Mix flour, baking powder, and salt into one bowl.  In another bowl, mix the yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, lavender, oil or applesauce.
• Mix the dry ingredients into the wet.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s). If you wish to bedazzle with berries, space 2 or 3 along the center or however you are inspired. Bake for 15 minutes. A cake tester should come out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
• While the cake is baking prepare the glaze. Heat the lemon juice, sugar and lavender until the sugar melts. Let sit for twenty minutes and then strain the lavender. Pour the glaze over the warm cake and allow it to soak in.
  
• Enjoy plain, sliced or toasted with your favorite preserves. For your tea tray, cut into smaller bite sized fingers or squares.

Notes

Tools You Can Use

Cooks, like other professionals, have their tools and as Mrs. Patmore says “it is a poor workman who blames his tools”.  You can  make do with the basics, but as you gain confidence and love for cooking, you should start to recognize items to help you cook.  Mrs. Patmore didn’t have electronic gadgets to cook with so be assured you can make do without the expensive gizmos.  This section helps you identify some equipment that I use.

Mini Loaf Pans