Recipe: The “Glow-Up” Oatmeal Fruit Cake
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Prep time: 15 minutes
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Bake time: 45–50 minutes
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Servings: 8–10 slices
Ingredients
The Base:
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3 cups Old-fashioned rolled oats (divided: 2 cups blended into flour, 1 cup left whole)
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1 ½ tsp Baking powder
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1 tsp Ground cinnamon
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½ tsp Ground ginger
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¼ tsp Sea salt
The Wet Ingredients:
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2 Large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan)
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1 ½ cups Unsweetened applesauce
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1/3 cup Pure maple syrup or honey
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1 tsp Vanilla extract
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½ cup Milk of choice (almond, oat, or dairy)
The Fruit & Nut Mix:
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1 ½ cups Mixed dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots, or dates)
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½ cup Chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
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Prep: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
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Make Oat Flour: Place 2 cups of the oats in a blender and pulse until they reach a fine, flour-like consistency.
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Mix Dry: In a large bowl, whisk the oat flour, the remaining 1 cup of whole oats, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
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Mix Wet: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
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Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir until just combined, then fold in your dried fruit and nuts.
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Rest: Let the batter sit for 5 minutes. This allows the oats to hydrate, resulting in a better texture.
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Bake: Pour into the pan and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Cool: Let it cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing. This cake “sets” as it cools!
💡 Notes & Pro-Tips
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The Texture: Expect a dense, moist, “baked oatmeal” texture rather than a fluffy sponge cake.
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Fruit Hydration: If your dried fruit is very hard, soak it in warm water (or orange juice!) for 10 minutes before adding to the batter for extra juiciness.
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Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze individual slices for a quick “grab-and-go” breakfast.
🥗 Nutritional Info & Benefits
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1 slice) |
| Calories | 240 kcal |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Sugar | 14g (Natural) |
Why it’s good for you:
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Sustained Energy: High in complex carbohydrates from oats, which have a low glycemic index.
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Heart Healthy: Oats contain beta-glucan, a soluble fiber known to help lower cholesterol.
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No Refined Sugar: Relies on the natural sweetness of applesauce and dried fruit.
❓ Q&A
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Absolutely. Just ensure your oats are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.
Q: It feels a bit wet in the middle, did I undercook it?
A: Because of the applesauce and oats, it is naturally very moist. However, if it feels “gummy,” let it cool completely; the structure firms up significantly at room temperature.
Q: Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?
A: You can! Fresh blueberries or diced apples work well, but keep in mind they release more moisture, so you may need to bake it for an extra 5–10 minutes.