A chocolate supreme cake recipe you've got to try

Let's face it — chocolate cake is a special treat, and many of us who are watching our health are made to feel guilty for enjoying those extra slices at suppertime. But this one, despite being rich, gooey and abundantly delicious, is made with ingredients like applesauce and egg whites that keep the "sin" quotient low.

• Preparation time: 30 minutes.
• Cook time: 35 minutes.
• Serves 14.

Ingredients:

Cake

•  Cooking spray
• 350 g (1 1/2 c) turbinado (raw) sugar
• 350 g (1 1/2 c) all-purpose, unbleached flour
• 150 g (3/4 c) cocoa powder
• 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) baking soda
• 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) baking powder
• 4 egg whites
• 250 ml  (1 c) non-fat milk
• 125 ml (1/2 c) applesauce
• 5  ml (1/2 tsp) vanilla
• 250 ml (1 c) boiling water
• Fresh berries or seasonal, sliced fruit (optional)

Frosting

• 45 ml (3 tbsp) non-fat cream cheese
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) plain non-fat sour cream
• 250 g (1 c) dark cocoa powder
• 350 g (1 1/2 c) superfine sugar
• 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Coat a 22 x eight-cm (eight x three-inch) round baking pan lightly with cooking spray, flour it and shake off the excess. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and baking powder.
3. Add the egg whites, non-fat milk, applesauce, vanilla and water. Beat with a hand mixer set on medium speed for two minutes.
4. Pour into baking pan and bake for 35 minutes until a cake tester inserted into the centre comes out clean. Turn out onto a wire rack, and let cool completely.
5. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl beat together the cream cheese, sour cream, cocoa powder, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
6. Using an offset spatula, frost the cake and top with the fruit (if using), and serve at room temperature.

Per serving:

• 281 calories
• 4 g fat (1 g saturated fat)
• 53 g carbohydrates
• 6 g protein
• 2 g fibre
• 2 mg cholesterol
• 103 mg sodium
• 46 mg calcium

Pair this recipe with a handful of fresh berries or sliced fruit to elevate this cake from super to spectacular.