Ok, hear me out. Baking with kale is possible and it's also delicious. I was on a search for a natural way to eat a green baked good without food coloring. I stumbled upon a kale and apple cake recipe that I decided to take and remake into something delicious enough to share with you!
3 cups kale, washed, loosely packed, and removed from the stalks
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
4 tablespoons water
1/2 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup cane sugar
1 Granny Smith apple, grated
1 1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Start with creating your flax eggs. Whisk together the ground flax seeds and water. Set aside.
Grease a 9x5 loaf pan. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
I found it easiest to boil the kale for this recipe. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Drop in the kale and boil for about 3-5 minutes or until the kale is tender. Drain the kale, squeezing out any excess water. Add it to a blender with the flax mixer, canola oil, vanilla extract, applesauce, and cane sugar. Blend until completely smooth.
Pour the blended mixture into a mixing bowl with the grated apple. Stir to combine.
Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Combine in the mixing bowl with the kale and apple mixture. Pour into the greased loaf pan. Bake in the oven for 50-55 minutes. 55 minutes did it for me but insert a toothpick or baking skewer to be sure it comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool.
Optional Cinnamon Apple Glaze
This glaze is not required but very delicious.
2 tablespoons vegan butter
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Sift together the confectioner's sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Over medium heat, melt the butter with the applesauce. Pull off the heat and stir in the confectioner's sugar until well combined. Pour over the loaf while it is still warm. Allow to cool and enjoy!
