Pumpkin and Apricot Cake

Do your kids eat their vegies? No? Previously I've talked about Madeleine not eating veg and how I hide vegies in food, like most Mummies do....

Like all kids, Madeleine eats cake though, and will eat this one that is full of pumpkin without any problems.

This recipe was given to my by a friend, who got it from one of our other friends, but I don't know where she got it from!

I thought I'd share it with you today, because it is so yummy, and really really healthy as well.

This cake has only 1/2 a cup of oil in it, and it makes a lot of cake! There is only 1 cup of sugar for the whole cake as well.... Orginally the cake had 2 cups, but I have reduced it by half, and have found it to be sweet enough. I use Jap Pumpkin as it is my favourite. The other great thing about this cake, is that it is dairy free, so a great one for people with allergies. It freezes well, and because it makes so much, I freeze individual portions for lunch boxes.

So here's the recipe:

Pumpkin and Apricot Cake

100g dried apricots

500g pumpkin

4 cups plain flour

2 teas baking powder

1 teas bicarb soda

2 teas ground cinnamon

1/2 teas salt

2 cups caster sugar

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Cover the apricots with boiling water and leave to plump up for at least half an hour, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the water.

Puree the apricots until smooth, adding the reserved water if needed, to make 1/2 cup of puree.

Peel, seed and chop the pumpkin. Steam until very tender, then drain thoroughly and mash to make 2 cups of puree. Set aside to cool (about 20 mins)

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees and grease your pan. This mix will fill a baking dish, but I have also made it in loaf tins - you'll just need more than one.

To a large bowl, add the flour, baking powder, bi carb soda, cinnamon, salt and sugar. Make a well in the centre and then add the eggs, oil, apricots and pumpkin and mix until just combined.

Transfer to a baking dish, smoothing the top and bake for 30 - 35 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

I'd really love your feedback if you try this... You can leave a comment below.