Angelic indulgences: cut refined flour and sugar and still satisfy your sweet tooth

Vibrant Life, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Angela Braden

Sugarless Success Spice Cake

Sweetness may be the spice of life, but refined sugar can contribute to premature aging, diabetes, and heart disease. Does that mean cutting cake out of your diet? Not if you substitute using wholesome and low-calorie sweeteners. Enjoy fluffy, comfy spice cake while saving 2,000 sugar calories. With careful planning, health-conscious cooks can have their cake and eat it too!

Sugarless Success Spice Cake

2 cups sifted whole-wheat
pastry flour
2 cups Splenda [R] sweetener
1 cup soy protein isolate
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 cup soy butter, at room
temperature
1 cup molasses
4 eggs, 2 egg whites
1 cup soymilk
1 t. pure vanilla extract
1/4 t. clove
1/2 t. ginger
1 T. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg

CREAM-CHEESE ICING

1 8-oz package of low-fat cream
cheese
1 8-oz package of fat-free cream
cheese
1 t. butter extract
2 T. honey
1 T. vanilla extract
1 T. vegetable glycerin
1 cup Splenda [R] sweetener
1 t. cinnamon
dash of salt

Preheat oven to 350[degrees]F. Spray 3 9-inch cake pans with nonstick spray. Using an electric mixer, cream soy margarine until fluffy. Add Splenda [R] and molasses and continue to mix wall for 6 to 8 minutes. Add 4 whole eggs, one at a time. Add flour and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla and spices and continue to beat. Add 2 egg whites until just mixed. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 3 or 4 inches above counter, then dropping it flat onto counter several times to release air bubbles. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean in the middle.

Combine all icing ingredients in a medium bowl and blend with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

Cool cake in pans 5 to 10 minutes longer. Invert onto cooling racks. Cool completely and transfer one layer at a time to serving plate, layering with cream-cheese icing in between each. Spread over edges and top generously. Dust with cinnamon (optional). Serves 16. Per serving: calories: 250; fat: 13 grams; carbohydrates: 20 grams; protein: 10 grams; cholesterol: 62.5 milligrams.

Atlanta-based Angela Braden is author of the upcoming book Angelic Indulgence.