Sliced vegan orange cranberry cake without added oil

Vegan and No added oil but super moist Orange and Cranberry Cake

December 31,2025 - By Kitchen Porcupine

Vegan Orange Cranberry Cake with tahini without added oil

I was born and raised in Japan, where sesame was a staple that could always be found in our pantry. My mother most often used it in Ohitashi（おひたし）, which is blanched spinach dressed simply with ponzu and finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and bonito flakes. Sesame seeds were also an essential condiment at the table, especially for bowls of Udon（うどん） or Somen（そうめん）, adding aroma and depth to these simple wheat noodles served with tsuyu or dashi, green onions, and wasabi.

For this recipe, I baked a cake with sesame as one of the main ingredients. Instead of Asian-style sesame paste, I used tahini, which is more readily available in the US. Below, I’ll share a comparison between tahini and Asian-style sesame paste, followed by an explanation of why sesame has long been considered such a nourishing ingredient.

**Tahini**

Made from hulled sesame seeds

Seeds are usually lightly toasted

Color: light beige

Flavor: mild, nutty, slightly bitter (taste varies depending on brands)

Common in Middle Eastern & Mediterranean cooking

Typical uses: hummus, baba ghanoush, dressings, sauces, desserts

**Asian-style Sesame Paste**

Made from unhulled or hulled sesame seeds (depends on brands)

Seeds are usually deeply toasted

Color: dark brown (or black if black sesame is used)

Flavor: nutty, slightly bitter (taste varies depending on brands)

Common in Japan, Korean, and Chinese cooking

Typical uses: noodles (e.g., dan dan noodles), hot pot sauces, desserts

I tested the recipe with both tahini and Asian-style sesame paste, and each version turned out beautifully, so you can use them interchangeably. Just be sure to choose a product made with 100% sesame seeds, without any added ingredients such as salt or sugar. The black and white sesame pastes in the plastic packages below are made by Kuki Sesame, a company headquartered in my hometown of Yokkaichi. Their sesame products are also available at Japanese grocery stores in Los Angeles, and it genuinely brings me joy to see a company from the same hometown sharing such beautifully crafted products beyond Japan. I’m especially fond of this brand because the quality of their products is truly exceptional. If you happen to come across them at a grocery store, I highly recommend giving them a try.

Comparison between tahini and Asian style sesame paste. The one on the top right is black sesame paste.

Growing up, everyone told me that sesames are good for you. Below are the reasons why sesames are healthy:

1. Rich in healthy fats

Sesame seeds are high in unsaturated fats (especially omega-6 fatty acids), which:

Support heart health
Help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol when eaten in moderation
Aid absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)

This is why sesame products like tahini feel satisfying and nourishing.

2. Unique antioxidants (lignans)

Sesame contains powerful antioxidants such as sesamin and sesamol, which:

Reduce oxidative stress
Support liver function
May help regulate cholesterol metabolism
Are unusually stable even when heated (rare for antioxidants)

These lignans are a major reason sesame oil has such a long shelf life.

3. Excellent plant-based minerals

Sesame is especially rich in:

Calcium – bone health (particularly high in unhulled sesame)
Magnesium – muscle and nerve function
Iron – oxygen transport (important for plant-based diets)
Zinc – immune support and skin health

Because sesame is often ground into paste, these minerals are more bioavailable than in whole seeds.

4. Good plant protein

Sesame provides:

A solid amount of plant-based protein
Methionine, an amino acid that many plant foods lack

This makes sesame a useful complement to legumes and grains.

5. Supports gut health

Whole sesame seeds provide dietary fiber
Tahini and sesame paste are gentle on digestion and often well tolerated
Traditionally used in many cultures for digestive balance

6. Naturally anti-inflammatory

Thanks to its healthy fats and lignans, sesame may help:

Reduce low-grade inflammation
Support joint and cardiovascular health
Balance blood sugar response when eaten with carbs

Bottom line

Sesame is healthy because it combines:
healthy fats + rare antioxidants + minerals + protein,
all in a form that’s easy to digest and deeply satisfying.

Now that we’ve explored the health benefits of sesame, let’s move on to this orange and cranberry cake, made without added oil. I got the inspiration from a Greek cake recipe called “Tahinopita”, but this recipe uses much less sugar than regular tahini cakes, and I combined corn starch and almond powder with flour to make the cake melt in your mouth, and fill the cake with a variety of nuts and dried prunes, finish with Grand Marnier to give the depth of flavor. Thanks to the tahini, the cake is exceptionally moist and deeply flavorful on its own. It’s perfect as an everyday treat, yet elegant enough for the holiday season, finished with a delicate sugar glaze, green pumpkin seeds, and vibrant red dried cranberries.