Mumbai Food: Four sugar-free and gluten-free desserts to relish

Dates and oats orange cake
#glutenfree #sugarfree #vegan At Deliciae Patisserie

How does one eat cake and not feel guilty about unwanted calories? The answer lies in a slice of dates, oats and orange cake from Bunty Mahajan's Deliciae Patisserie at Khar. It was last month that the patisserie forayed into the healthy treat segment with DLite, with offerings like nutri bars, Keto cookies and gluten-free tarts, in addition to cakes, brownies and tarts.

This one comes with no refined sugar or eggs, but their absence is hardly missed. Made with gluten-free flour and soy milk, it is moist and light. The chunky dates complement the orange rind, and together they elevate the flavour. Despite being sugar free, it is rich and filling. We weren't able to eat more than two slices. A special mention for the presentation, what with all the almond shavings and orange slices dotting the surface. This one gets a thumbs up from us.

Cost: Rs 1,000 for half kg and R1,950 for one kg
At: Khar Danda Road, opposite Curio Cottage, Khar West
Call: 9029021200

Chocolate orange cake
#glutenfree #dairyfree #vegan At Kale & Kaffe

It is pouring cats and dogs, and our order from Kale & Kaffe which has an exclusive tie-up with Scootsy is estimated at 16 minutes' arrival. It comes before time, in a neat box tied with a brand ribbon. But, our heart shrinks at the size of the piece.

We dunk our spoon in, and what looks a bit dull is, in fact, a decadent bite of a perfect citrus orange and bitter chocolate combination. It's airy, soft and we'll order it again, if they promise to increase their portions. The dried orange bits add a chewy texture and the chocolate is well-balanced unlike other vegan desserts that go overboard on chocolate making it too concentrated.

Pics/Atul Kamble

Cost: R250
Address: Laxmi Plaza, Building No. 9, off New Industrial Estate, Andheri West
Call: 9920161266

Double chocolate chip brownies
#vegan #nutfree #sugarfree @ Bombay Bizare Baker

A crumpled sheet of crispy coating over a dense chunky square. There's no butter here. No eggs either. In fact, not even sugar. We take a bite and dive into a delicious gooey mess. Even though what one may consider the basic ingredients of brownie are missing, this one gets the texture and taste just right.

Homebaker Tara Kapur replaces refined sugar with raw cane sugar and is generous with dark chocolate and cocoa. Made with self-raising refined flour, the consistency and texture gets our thumbs up, and even the recycled bag made from newspapers. We would, however, have liked them to be a tad bit less sweet.

Cost: Rs 600 for six pieces
Call: 9820006440

Espresso almond and Blueberry hazelnut
#vegan #sugarfree #glutenfree @Butters and More

Healthy butter seemed like an oxymoron until we discovered Rishi Purohit's Butters and More on Instagram. The Malabar Hill resident prepares butters without artificial flavouring, refined sugar or preservatives. We ordered the espresso almond (R420) and the blueberry hazelnut (Rs 580), which come in glass jars measuring 200 gm. The former is made with South Indian coffee paste (ground coffee beans and cold pressed coconut oil measuring less than three per cent), natural vanilla extract and Himalayan pink salt, and is sweetened with organic palm jaggery.

The sweet element in the latter comes from dried whole blueberries. The butters are smooth and delicious with the right amount of sweetness. Personally, we prefer the blueberry hazelnut for its sweet-citrusy taste. But caffeine lovers might favour the creamy espresso. The prices are steep, but the quality of the product will put your guilt to rest. Lather it on your cinnamon bread or spread it on a biscuit and it is sure to up your breakfast game. The jars can be stored at room temperature for up to four months and refrigerated for six to eight months even after being opened. However, keep it away from water, wet spoons and soiled fingers.

Cost: Rs 250 onward
Call: 9619345231

The winneer taste: Double chocolate chip brownies by Bombay Bizare Baker
Price Vs portion size: A half tray gave us 6 chunky pieces, which is R100 per piece.
Health scale: 8 on 10 because they use refined flour

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