Diabetic's Mandarin Orange Cake

One of the biggest complaints we diabetics have about cakes, is that they are so dry. Baking without sugar is a challenge as things don't brown well without sugar and they are too dry without sugar. I took a great recipe I had for Mandarin Orange Cake and tweaked it until I came up with a diabetic version that is moist and pleasing to the palate.

By adding Stevia*, you add some extra sweetness. Stevia is rather expensive but two packets is all you need. The addition of mayonnaise adds moisture and texture. When you remove the cake from the oven and prick it with a fork, be generous with the picks. This allows the wonderful sauce to run into the cake, thus increasing the moisture. Even my husband, who hates anything made without sugar, ate two or three pieces of this cake. My sixteen-year-old grandson loved it, too.

DIABETIC'S MANDARIN ORANGE CAKE

CAKE:

1 cup Splenda granular 2 packets Stevia
1 cup flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt, optional
1 tbsp mayonnaise
11 oz can Mandarin oranges

Topping:

1/4 cup 2 tbsp Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
2 1/2 - 3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp milk

To make the cake: Drain oranges and rinse with tap water; draining again. Put egg in a large mixing bowl and break it up with a fork. Add Splenda and mix well. Add Stevia, flour, soda and salt, if desired. Mix all together to blend. Add mayonnaise and oranges. Beat on low speed with an electric mixer for 3 minutes. Spray an 8x8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pour batter into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven. Using a fork, puncture all over the top of the cake. Pour hot topping over the cake. Serve warm.

To make the topping: Combine all topping ingredients and bring to a boil in a small saucepan. Pour at once over the hot cake.

Note: Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans to the cake batter before baking, if desired.

*Stevia is a great sugar-free product. It is not readily available but can usually be found in health food stores and/or pharmacies.

Enjoy!