These recipes are sweetened naturally by the fruit they contain or by the use of a little honey and they are moistened by plain yogurt, fruit purees or monounsaturated canola oil. The microwave oven might have been invented for these types of cakes but, if you have a combination oven and you prefer a crust on your cakes, you can cook any of these recipes on low-mix (10%) at about 320° F (160° C) for about two to three times the recommended time for microwaving.

Cooking time: about 8 minutes

Serves: 6 to 12

Ingredients:

• 3 small green apples, cored
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons thick yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ cup unsweetened apple juice
• 3 ounces (85g) sultanas
• 3 ½ ounces (100g) dates, chopped and seeded
• 2 ounces (60g) walnuts, chopped
• 2 cups wholemeal self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Method:

1. Thinly slice 1 apple and use it to line a greased ring pan which has been sprinkled with cinnamon. Whisk together the egg, yogurt, honey and juice.Finely chop the remaining apples, then mix with the other fruit, nuts and whisked liquid.

2. Mix the flour and baking powder and fold into the fruit mixture. Turn into the ring pan and microwave on High for 6 to 8 minutes. Leave to stand for at least 10 minutes, before turning out of the pan.

Cooking Time: about 10 minutes

Serves: 6 to 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups wholemeal self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• 3 ounces (85g) sultanas
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 14 ounce (400g) can unsweetened crushed pineapple

Method:

1. Mix the dry ingredients and sultanas. Beat the eggs, honey, oil and lemon juice ogether until fluffy. Stir in the pineapple, then lightly fold the dry ingredients into the fruit mixture.

2. Turn into a greased ring pan and microwave on High for 9 to 10 minutes. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before turning out.

Cooking Time: about 10 minutes

Serves: 6 to 12

Ingredients:

• 1 - 1 ½ pound (500 to 750g) stoned plums, fresh or canned and drained
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons thick yoghurt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened apple-blackcurrant juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 ½ cups wholemeal self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Method:

1. Slice 2 to 3 plums (or use halved plums if canned) to line the bottom of a greased ring pan. In a blender or food processor, puree the remaining plums with the other wet ingredients (not too smoothly). Mix the dry ingredients, then lightly fold into the fruit puree.

2. Pour into the ring pan, elevate in the oven and microwave on High for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool at least 5 to 10 minutes before turning out.