Orange Honey Cake

I love an excuse to eat cake, and when I make one that isn't too sweet, is loaded with healthy ingredients and will hit the spot for an afternoon snack or a brunch side, I am thrilled! This cake is a play on the Citrus Yogurt Cake. I used honey powder in the cake and some honey in the glaze to give it such a warm and delicious taste. And the cake has the juice and zest of an orange which gives it so much brightness! And of course I love popping in some extra healthy ingredients such as Chia Seeds, Greek Yogurt and as always, Whole Wheat Flour.

Makes 1 loaf cake

• 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

• 2 tablespoons chia seeds

• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

• 1 tablespoon orange zest

• 1 ½ cups white whole wheat flour

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 6 tbsp unsweetened apple sauce

• 1/8 cup canola oil

• 1/2 cup honey powder

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 large eggs

Glaze

• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar

• 2 tsp honey

• 1-2 tbsp fresh squeeze orange juice

• 1/2 tsp orange zested on top of cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with canola oil spray and line with parchment paper

2. Combine the yogurt, chia seeds, orange juice, and orange zest in a small bowl and set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

4. In a large bowl whisk eggs until frothy. Add honey powder, apple sauce, oil and vanilla and whisk well. Add the yogurt chia mix and whisk until combined.

5. Gently mix in the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon until no lumps appear

6. Pour batter evenly into prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake cake in the center of the oven, until a cake tester, comes out clean, and the top has set, about 35 to 40 minutes

7. Allow cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then gently remove and place on a wire rack

8. Meanwhile mix glaze ingredients (excluding zest) until smooth and there are no lumps.

9. Once the cake is completely cooled take a small spoon and gently drizzle the glaze over the cake. If it’s starts to melt into the cake you haven’t let it cool enough

10. Zest some fresh orange on top of the cake for a beautiful pop of color.

Cake can be stored at room temperature in an air tight container for 3 days or refrigerated for 5 days. If you are serving this cake the day after making it, wait to do the glaze until right before serving.