Pear and double ginger cake

This low cost, delicious pear and double ginger cake recipe will quickly be a family favourite - and it's made in a slow-cooker!. Great for morning tea or a healthy snack with an easy gluten free option.

Serves: 10 (makes 10 slices)

Time to make: 3 hrs 15 mins

Hands-on time: 15 mins

Ingredients

More weights & measures

150g reduced-fat spread
½ cup soft brown sugarlight brown cane sugarX
2 eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup ground almonds
1 cup self-raising flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups pears, chopped, unpeeled and cored (about 3 pears)
⅓ cup unsweetened almond milk or skim milk
1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
2 tablespoons crystalised ginger, chopped
To serve
1 teaspoon icingfrostingX sugar for sifting
10 tablespoons reduced-fat Greek yoghurt, sprinkled with ground ginger (optional)

$AVER recipes were costed at $5 or below at the time of publication. We are mindful that seasonal and regional availability and price fluctuations occur - click here for healthy shopping tips for greater savings.

Instructions

Stay Awake

1 In a large bowl, combine spread and sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Slowly add eggs and almonds.

2 Carefully stir in remaining ingredients and beat well until combined.

3 Line slow cooker with non-stick baking paper. Pour cake mix into slow cooker and put the lid on (see tips). Bake for 3 hours on high or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.

4 Switch slow cooker off and leave to cool for 15 minutes. Remove baking paper and cake and place on to a wire rack to cool.

5 Dust with icing sugar and serve warm with a dollop of ginger yoghurt.

Variations

You can also use 6 canned pears, roughly chopped.
This cake can also be baked in the oven. It will take 35-45 minutes at 180°C in a 20-22cm cake tin.
Make it gluten free: Use gluten-free self-raising flour and baking powder and check almond milk, icing sugar and ground ginger (if using) are gluten free.

HFG tip

This cake needs to be made in a medium-sized slow cooker with a base of 20-22cm to ensure a good-sized round cake for cutting.
Place a tea towel under the lid when baking — this stops the steam and water from dripping on to the top of the cake and making it soggy.

Nutrition Info (per serve)

Calories 231 cal

Kilojoules 970 kJ

Protein 5 g

Total fat 13 g

Saturated fat 3 g

Carbohydrates 25 g

Sugar 13 g

Dietary fibre 2 g

Sodium 170 mg

Calcium 70 mg

Iron 0.5 mg

Note: This nutrition analysis is a guide only. Nutrition composition will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. See our guides on your optimal daily nutrition intake, and supermarket shopping.