This cake mixes apple cider vinegar and soy milk to create ‘sour milk’ and uses a reduced amount of caster sugar and applesauce to give added texture and sweetness. Applesauce is also a fantastic vegan substitute for the setting properties of eggs. Dense texture can be the curse of some plant-based cake adaptations. But the combination of baking soda and apple cider vinegar stops this turmeric cake becoming ‘claggy.’ Instead, it gives a light crumb with that vibrant golden color throughout. The soy milk soured with apple cider vinegar adds the perfect tangy taste to the finished cake.
For serving, enjoy a slice with a bright tea or cup of coffee.
This Golden Tumeric Lemon Cake is from Feeding Women in the Talmud, Feeding Ourselves and is based on the Talmudic characters of Yirmatia and her mother. Learn more about the book and the inspiration for this recipe in the full article, Kenden Alfond Finds Culinary Inspiration from the Talmud.
Did you know that Judaism is very big on table manners? How we conduct ourselves while we eat says a lot about how seriously we are taking the activity? Get more Jewish food thoughts here.
Ingredients
- 1 cup 240 ml unsweetened soy milk
- 1 ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup 100 g caster sugar
- ¼ cup 60 g unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 cup 120 g white whole-wheat flour
- ¾ cup 90 g white spelt flour
- 1½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Nutritional Facts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C degrees and grease a round cake pan with a bit of coconut oil or some non-stick baking spray.
- In a large bowl, add the soy milk and apple cider vinegar. Stir and let the mixture curdle for 3-4 minutes. This is a vegan buttermilk substitute.
- Once the soy milk thickens up, add the sugar, applesauce, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the bowl. Whisk to combine.
- In a separate, smaller bowl, mix together wheat flour, spelt flour, baking powder, baking soda, turmeric, and salt.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet, taking care not to overmix the batter.
- Transfer the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Equipment
- Kitchen scale
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Round cake pan
- Small mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or whisk