Turmeric and lemon parsnip cake

This low cost turmeric and lemon parsnip cake recipe is one of the best you'll ever taste, freezes well and is great as a winter desert or an afternoon treat.

Serves: 18

Time to make: 1 hr 10 mins

Hands-on time: 20 mins

Ingredients

More weights & measures

¾ cup castor sugar
2¼ cups self-raising flour
¼ cup ground almonds
1½ teaspoons ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
200g grated parsnip
150g grated carrot
zest of 3 lemons, plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
100g low-fat plain yoghurt
150ml sunflower oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
40g dried dates, chopped
25g crushed pistachios
2 teaspoons icingfrostingX sugar, sifted

$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 Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a baking pan (that holds approximately 900g) with baking paper.

2 In a bowl, combine sugar, flour, almonds and spices. Stir in parsnip and carrot with lemon zest and seeds.

3 In a small bowl, combine yoghurt, oil and eggs then stir into cake mixture. Pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle over dates. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown and firm to touch.

4 Cool completely. Turn out of pan. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice and crushed pistachios. Serve with a sprinkling of icing sugar.

Variations

Make it gluten free: Use gluten-free self-raising flour and check ground spices and icing sugar are gluten free.

HFG tip

This cake will keep well in a sealed container for four days. It can also be frozen once cooled.

Turmeric tips

• Root turmeric can be found in many supermarkets. You will often find it sold beside root ginger and garlic
• Store fresh turmeric in the fridge, wrapped loosely
• When preparing turmeric, wear gloves to avoid staining your hands
• To prepare, peel the skin and grate
• For 1 teaspoon dried turmeric, use 1 tablespoon fresh turmeric
• Add grated fresh turmeric to salad dressings or to a smoothie.

Nutrition Info (per serve)

Calories 223 cal

Kilojoules 940 kJ

Protein 5 g

Total fat 11 g

Saturated fat 1 g

Carbohydrates 25 g

Sugar 14 g

Dietary fibre 2 g

Sodium 80 mg

Calcium 60 mg

Iron 1 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.