Ragi is a popular grain in South India known for its nutritional qualities that makes it one of the best whole grain ever. Ragi is a powerhouse of nutrients. It is high in calcium that is excellent for bone health in children and elderly people, it is rich in fiber which supports digestion and regulates the blood sugar levels, it is gluten free which makes it an ideal grain for those who have gluten intolerance or celiac disease, and it has a high protein content that is especially valuable for vegetarians and vegans who don’t rely on meat, poultry, or dairy products to get their protein supplement. Moreover, ragi is packed with iron which helps in managing and preventing anemia in both females and male. Along with this, ragi contain tryptophan which is an amino acid that promotes muscle relaxation and helps improve sleep too.
Ragi can be cooked in multiple ways to include it in your diet effortlessly. One of the ways is turning ragi into flour to make a delicious mug cake. That’s right! You might not know how well ragi does when it comes to making a cake. The earthy nodes of ragi makes it a wholesome grain so when you turn it into a cake, the result is a delightfully sweet, gooey, and irresistible dessert that is perfect for every occasion.
If you are thinking of making ragi mug cake with cocoa powder at home, you might need to keep in mind a few things about sweetening it perfectly. Since ragi has an earthy and nutty flavor that can sometimes strike as a bitter aftertaste. To make your ragi cake perfectly sweet and balanced in the first try, you need to perfect the sweetening which will help you enhance the sweetness as well as improve the overall flavor. For ragi cake, white sugar may not always be the right choice since it doesn’t provide depth and can contradict the flavor and nutritional profile of the cake. Therefore, to help boost the flavor of your ragi cake while enhancing the health profile and flavor depth, here are a few amazing ideas you need to try the next time you bake the cake at home.
Ragi mug cake with cocoa powder has a unique earthy and nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with deep and caramel-like sweeteners that carry the essence of molasses. Jaggery, both in powdered form and syrup form, helps in enhancing the earthy notes and add richness to ragi cake. Similarly, date paste and syrup adds its sweetness along with the moisture and fiber which tastes deep like jaggery. Coconut sugar brings a toasty flavor similar to brown sugar and it also adds the coconut essence that feels fresh with every bite. Palm sugar is also a good option as it brings a mellow, natural sweetness.
Fruits that are naturally sweet complements the flavor of ragi cake and also improves the texture exponentially. Some good examples of fruits include bananas. apples, pears, dates, and raisins. Ripe, mashed bananas help moisten the cake and mask the earthy flavor that can feel bitter to some. Banana also provides the fiber and nutrient boost to the cake. Applesauce or grated apples also work extremely well as it adds mild sweetness and softness to the cake. Grated pear brings a juicy texture and subtle sweetness to the cake. Dates and raisins also work perfectly and add a burst of sweetness.
The addition of nutty elements mellows down the earthy tone of ragi and round out the flavor, making it satisfying. This can be achieved with the addition of coconut milk or cream which smoothen the flavor while keeping it dairy-free. Cashew paste and almond flour also work wonderfully as they add a sweet and rich body. Additionally, peanut butter and tahini also become a good option to enhance creaminess and bring a hint of sweetness.
Classic sweetener like white sugar or stevia will only bring sweetness to the cake which doesn’t feel that special. What if you can enhance the flavor along with adding the sweet elements to the cake? To make the sweetness pop naturally in your ragi mug cake with cocoa powder, add spices like cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg which enhances the warmth and masks bitter flavor. Additionally, you can also add vanilla extract for softening the flavor profile, orange zest to brighten the taste, and dark chocolate chips to bring a bittersweet balance.
Try these tips to sweeten your homemade ragi cake while boosting the nutritional properties. With these sweetening tips, you will be able to make the recipe free of guilt and enjoy it to your hearts content.