Let them eat cake

How about an ultra-easy (and tasty) cake you can serve for just about any occasion? Do I have you interested? Good. A piece of this cake should convince everyone that tasty and healthy can be in the same recipe — as long as it’s prepared The Healthy Exchanges Way.

CHOCOLATE APPLESAUCE PECAN CAKE

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Sugar substitute to equal 3/4 cup sugar, suitable for baking

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3 tablespoons chopped pecans

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon table salt

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon canola oil

1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 9-by-9-inch cake pan with butter-flavored cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar substitute, cocoa, pecans, baking soda and salt. Add applesauce, water, oil, vinegar and vanilla extract. Mix gently just to combine. Evenly spread batter into prepared cake pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until cake tests done in center. Place cake pan on a wire rack and let cool for at least 15 minutes. Makes 8 servings. Good warm or cold.

•Each serving equals: 135 calories, 3 g fat, 3 g protein, 24 g carbohydrates, 304 mg sodium, 2 g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1/2 Fat.