Recipe to beat high blood pressure: blueberry swirl coffee cake

This moist and tender cake is bursting with juicy berries. Brown sugar and cinnamon make it so melt-in-your-mouth delicious you won't believe it's lower in calories, fat and cholesterol than traditional coffee cake.

• Preparation time: 20 minutes.
• Cooking time: 40 minutes.
• Serves 16.

Ingredients:

• 625 g (2 1/2 c) fresh or frozen blueberries, divided
• 75 g (1/3 c) packed light brown sugar
• 5 ml (1 tsp) cinnamon
• 125 ml (1/2 c/1 stick) margarine
• 250 g (1 c) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg white
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) grated lemon zest
• 625 g (2 1/2 c) self-rising flour
• 275 g (1 1/4 c) reduced-fat (2%) milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour 33 x 23-centimetre (13 x 9-inch) baking pan.
2. Toss 500 grams (2 cups) blueberries, brown sugar and cinnamon in small bowl until berries are coated.
3. Cream margarine and granulated sugar in large bowl with electric mixer at high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add egg and egg white and beat 2 minutes. Beat in lemon zest. Reduce speed to low. Add flour alternately with milk, one-third at a time, stopping mixer occasionally to scrape bowl with rubber spatula. Do not overbeat.
4. Spread half of batter into pan and sprinkle with blueberry mixture. Spoon remaining batter on top, spreading evenly. Swirl through batter several times with knife, then top with remaining blueberries.
5. Bake until toothpick inserted in centre comes out with moist crumbs clinging, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack 15 minutes. Cut into 16 equal pieces. Serve warm or at room temperature.

• Blueberries are very low in calories and high in vitamin C. They also have high antioxidant properties.

Each serving (1 waffle) provides:

Key nutrients: 210 calories, 60 calories from fat, 7 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat, 3 g protein, 36 g carbohydrates, 1 g fibre, 340 mg sodium.

Blood pressure nutrients: 4 mg vitamin C, 7 mg magnesium, 127 mg potassium, 97 mg calcium.

• Fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries work equally well in this recipe.
• Add orange zest in place of lemon zest and add 30 millilitres (2 tablespoons) fresh orange juice to the batter for more citrus flavor.

Try this recipe today for a delicious dessert that's sure to please your entire family!