flourless chocolate cake

Poppy bakes...

My best critic is my husband; so the fact he likes this cake makes it a winner! It is a variation of the popular Thermomix Magic Bean Cake, but if you don't have a Thermomix, you can do the exact same process with a blender and mixer or food processor. I love how it contains red kidney beans as a flour replacement, but you can't taste them. You can make this cake vegan too by using a flax egg or egg replacer.

Serves 10


CAKE

1. Preheat oven to 180º and line a cake tin.
   
   
2. Puree
   400g red kidney beans or butter beans, drained and rinsed,
   1 tablespoon water,
   1 egg and
   1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth on speed 7; then set aside.
   
   
3. Without washing the mixing bowl, beat
   125g butter and
   140g coconut sugar for 30 seconds on speed 5.
   
   
4. Add
   4 eggs and beat for 20 seconds on speed 4.
   
   
5. Add bean mixture back in and combine for 5 seconds on speed 4.
   
   
6. Add
   65g cacao powder,
   1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder,
   1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda and
   1/4 teaspoon celtic sea salt and blend for 10 seconds on speed 4.
   
   
7. Pour batter into cake tin and bake for 40 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
   
   
8. Allow the cake to cool, then remove from tin. You can simply decorate it with
   raspberries and
   desiccated coconut; and/or serve with a generous dollop of
   coconut ice cream.

JAM

To take this cake to the next level, you can add some raspberry jam to cut through the dark chocolate taste.

1. To make the jam filling, in a small sauce pan heat
   1/2 lemon, juiced,
   1 tablespoon coconut sugar and
   2 teaspoon rice malt syrup.
   
   
2. Once the coconut sugar has dissolved, add
   1 cup raspberries,
   1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and
   2 tablespoon white chia seeds; gently mashing the raspberries with a fork.
   
   
3. Remove from the heat and cool in the fridge until the chia seeds have absorbed most of the liquid to form a jam.
   
   
4. Slice cooled cake in half and spread the jam between the two layers.
   

CHOCOLATE ICING

This is the best healthy chocolate icing! I don't have any pictures yet but I will be making this for my daughter's next birthday cake, so I'll share some pictures soon.

1. Pour
   150g dark chocolate buttons into a stainless steel mixing bowl over a boiling pot of water and slowly stir with a whisk until melted.
   
   
2. Add
   1 cup coconut cream and slowly whisk together until combined.
   
   
3. Cool in the fridge until the right consistency to spread onto the cooled cake.

CHOCOLATE SHELL 

This is another icing option which creates a thinner and harder layer of chocolate around the cake which I use when I make this cake in my Wilton 5 Layer Cake Tin Set.

1. Melt
   150g dark chocolate and
   3 tablespoons coconut oil in a double boiler, refrigerate for about 20 minutes just before it sets then whisk until fluffy. Pipe or spread over cake - voila!

In this picture I have spread the raspberry jam between the 5 layers and encased the cake in the chocolate shell and topped with freeze dried raspberries.

ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

For icing that you want to be able to colour, that isn't sickly sweet...

1. Prepare your Thermomix bowl with the butterfly whisk attachment and add
   4 large egg whites then place in the fridge. You can do this up to a day before to produce a stiff meringue.
   
   
2. If you keep your butter in the fridge, take it out now to bring to room temperature. You will need
   300g unsalted butter cut into chunks.
   
   
3. Make sugar syrup by bringing
   120g water and
   200g caster sugar to the boil on high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved and the syrup is boiling/bubbling at 118ºC.
   
   
4. Whilst the sugar syrup is coming to the boil take the Thermomix bowl out of the fridge and add
   1 teaspoon cream of tartar and
   2 tablespoons caster sugar.
   
   
5. As soon as the sugar syrup is ready, set Thermomix to 20mins/37ºC/speed 3 and after a few seconds, start very slowly drizzling the sugar syrup in.
   
   
6. Bring the bowl to room temperature by placing in the fridge for 1/2-1 hour.
   
   
7. On speed 3, slowly add the chunks of butter until completely smooth. If it is too runny, cool down further in the fridge.
   
   
8. You can add your colour to the Thermomix bowl or colour smaller batches in separate mixing bowls. Use a spatula to put buttercream in a piping bag and place in the fridge for 10 minutes before piping onto cake.

strawberries + cream tart

Serves 12

Poppy bakes…

1. The night before you plan to make this dish, soak
   1.5 cups dates in
   filtered water. If you don't have time to soak the dates, you can steam them for approximately 10 minutes.
   
   
2. At high speed, blend
   1.5 cups desiccated coconut until it forms a paste.
   
   
3. Set aside 1/3 cup of the soaked dates and place the remainder in the blender with the coconut and process until the dates are broken down and combined well with the coconut.
   
   
4. Press mixture into a loose-base tart pan and bake in a 160º oven for 20 minutes. Then set aside and allow to cool.
   
   
5. To make the filling, blend
   1.75 cups coconut milk, remaining 1/3 cup of dates,
   2 tablespoons powdered gelatin,
   1/4 cup arrowroot flour and
   1.5 tablespoons coconut oil then pour on top of crust and place in the fridge while you make the strawberry layer.
   
   
6. For the strawberry layer blend
   2 cups strawberries,
   2 tablespoons coconut oil,
   2 tablespoons powdered gelatin and
   1/4 cup coconut milk then pour on top. You can create a pattern by using a butter knife to drag the strawberry layer through the coconut layer.
   
   
7. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving and garnish with any leftover strawberries you may have and a sprinkling of desiccated coconut.  Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge or the freezer.

pear cake

Serves 12

Poppy bakes…

1. Preheat oven to 180º and prepare a cake tin.
   
   
2. In a mixing bowl combine
   250g gluten-free plain flour,
   1/2 teaspoon baking powder and
   pinch of celtic sea salt.
   
   
3. Place
   250g coconut sugar into Thermomix and mill 20 seconds / speed 10.
   
4. Insert butterfly whisk; then add
   250g nuttelex and mix 3 minutes / speed 3.
   
   
5. Add
   4 eggs,
   1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract and
   zest of 1/4 lemon on speed 3 until combined.
   
   
6. Pour the wet mixture into the dry, and combine using a spatula.
   
   
7. Gently fold through
   3 packham pears, peeled and diced.
   
   
8. Pour mixture into the cake tin and bake for 50 minutes.

apple + maple syrup cake

Serves 10

Poppy bakes…

1. Preheat oven to 180ºC and line a cake tin.
   
   
2. In a mixing bowl combine
   5 tablespoons nuttelex, melted,1/2 cup coconut sugar,
   1/2 cup maple syrup,
   1 egg, lightly beaten and
   1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
   
   
3. Stir through
   1 cup gluten-free plain flour,
   1 teaspoon baking powder,
   1/4 teaspoon celtic sea salt and
   1.5 cups granny smith apples, chopped.
   
   
4. Pour mixture into cake tin, bake for 30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean and allow to cool before serving.

mixed berry, carrot + zucchini cupcakes

Makes 12

Poppy bakes…

1. Heat oven to 190ºC.
   
   
2. In a bowl whisk together
   1 cup coconut sugar,
   1 cup olive oil,
   2 eggs and
   1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract.
   
   
3. Add and whisk together
   3/4 cup carrot, finely grated,
   3/4 cup zucchini, finely grated and
   1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries.
   
   
4. Add and whisk together
   3/4 teaspoon celtic sea salt, and
   3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
   
   
5. Add
   2 cups gluten free self raising flour and gently fold into mixture without over mixing.
   
   
6. Divide batter among moulds and bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

zucchini + carrot cake

Serves 10

An easy recipe that doesn't require the use of an electric mixer. Also a great way of sneaking in some extra vegetables in the guise of something sweet.

Poppy bakes…

1. Preheat oven to 180ºC.
   
   
2. In a mixing bowl gently stir together
   250g gluten-free self-raising flour,
   2 teaspoons ground cinnamon and
   1 teaspoon mixed spice.
   
   
3. In a small mixing bowl stir together
   1/2 cup olive oil,
   1 cup coconut sugar,
   1 egg and
   1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
   
   
4. Grate
   1 small carrot and
   1 small zucchini, around 160g combined.
   
   
5. Add the wet ingredients from step 3 to the dry ingredients from step 2 and mix together using a spatula until well combined. Then add the carrot and zucchini and mix together until well combined.
   
   
6. Place the mixture in a lined cake tin and bake for 35 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.

christmas cake

Serves 10

Despite containing no gluten, dairy, refined sugar or nuts, this Christmas cake tastes even better than traditional Christmas cakes. I made a single cake, but you can use the same recipe to make individual single serves using pudding moulds. Depending on your dietary requirements, you can serve with cream, coconut cream, or for added indulgence, white chocolate sauce with cognac & vanilla bean by "a bit on the side" (a local Denmark brand who make THE BEST sauces and preserves which are all gluten free).

Poppy bakes…

1. Around 12 hours before you plan to bake the cake, soak
   400g currants,
   175g raisins,
   175g sultanas,
   50g dried cherries in 
   4 tablespoons of cognac (you can also use brandy or cherry liquor).
   
   
2. Preheat the oven to 135˚C.
   
   
3. Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, cream together
   220g unsalted butter at room temperature and
   220g coconut sugar until light, pale and fluffy (approximately 5 minutes).
   
   
4. Slowly add
   4 lightly beaten eggs whilst using the whisk attachment.
   
   
5. Gently fold in
   200g plain gluten-free flour,
   1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and
   1/2 teaspoon ground allspice.
   
   
6. Gently fold in soaked fruits,
   zest of 1 orange,
   zest of 1 lemon and 
   1 tablespoon of molasses.
   
   
7. Pour mixture into cake tin and cover with a circle of baking paper with a small hole cut out of the centre.
   
   
8. Bake towards the bottoms of the oven for 1.5 hours and then cool on a wire rack.
   
   
9. Using a skewer, make small holes in the cake; and once a week (or twice before serving), feed the cake with a drizzle of cognac. Use a basting brush to spread the cognac over the surface for an even colour.

strawberry cake

Serves 10

Ingredients

250g fresh strawberries

1/2 cup coconut sugar

1/2 cup EVOO

1 egg

1.5 cups gluten-free self raising flour

1/2 cup rice milk

Method

1. Line a medium loaf tin or cake tin with baking paper
2. Halve enough strawberries to cover tin and set aside. Chop remaining strawberries
3. Beat together sugar, oil and egg on high for 5-8 minutes until thick and creamy
4. Fold in flour and milk
5. Fold in chopped strawberries
6. Pour mixture into tin and top with halved strawberries
7. Bake in a 170˚C oven for 70 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean
8. Stand to cool before serving

Notes
For added texture to this light and fluffy cake, try adding quinoa flakes!

blueberry, lime + coconut cake

Serves 10

Dry ingredients

1/2 cup coconut flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon coconut sugar

Wet ingredients

4 free-range eggs

3 tablespoons nuttelex, melted

juice + zest of 1 lime

zest of 1/2 lemon

6 tablespoons coconut milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

punnet (1/2 cup) blueberries

Glaze ingredients

1/4 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

30ml coconut cream

Pinch of celtic sea salt

25ml honey

15ml lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C
2. In a bowl combine dry ingredients
3. In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients, excluding blueberries
4. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients using a spatula
5. Combine blueberries into mixture
6. Spoon mixture into a cake tin and bake for 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean
7. Remove and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving
8. On low heat, combine glaze ingredients until smooth
9. Cool glaze in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before spreading over cake

Notes
This is a delightfully light and fluffy cake, due to the use of coconut flour. Like most cake recipes, you can use this same mixture to make muffins - this recipe makes about 6 large muffins.

passionfruit, coconut + chia cake

Serves 8

Wet ingredients

2 eggs

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

1/2 cup rice milk

1/4 cup honey

1.5 tablespoons nuttelex

1/3 cup passionfruit pulp

1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon celtic sea salt

Dry ingredients

1 cups gluten-free self-raising flour

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 cup fine desiccated coconut

1/4 cup ground chia seeds

Method

1. Prepare 18cm round cake tin by greasing with coconut oil
2. Preheat oven to 180°C
3. In a food processor or hand-blender, mix wet ingredients until well combined and smooth at medium-high speed
4. Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl
5. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix gently to combine
6. Spoon mixture into a cake tin and bake for 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean
7. Remove and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving

Notes
You can sprinkle extra desiccated coconut or passionfruit pulp for decoration. It also tastes great served with vanilla coconut ice cream. 

The cake pictured above was baked using double the quantities of ingredients to serve 12 larger pieces. I found that the centre of the cake didn't cook as well being a very moist mixture. That is why this cake recipe is also great for making muffins...

Does Poppy want a passionfruit, coconut + chia muffin? Sleepy face with ears pulled back in confusion.

carrot cake

Serves 12

Poppy bakes...

1. Preheat oven to 170°C. Grease a 20cm round cake tin lightly with oil, and line with baking paper.
   
   
2. Roughly stir together
   1 cup gluten free self-raising flour,
   1/2 cup gluten free plain flour,
   1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda and
   1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon into a large mixing bowl.
   
   
3. In a separate medium mixing bowl whisk together
   1/2 cup coconut sugar,
   3/4 cup olive oil,
   1/2 cup raw honey,
   3 eggs and
   1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
   
   
4. Peel and grate
   300g (approximately 3) carrots and set aside.
   
   
5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and combine with a wooden spoon.
   
   
6. Stir in grated carrot.
   
   
7. Pour mixture into the cake tin and bake for 1 hour.
   
   
8. Allow to cool before removing from cake tin

If you want to 'fancy' this cake up, finish with this amazing buttercream frosting...

1. Place
   120g coconut sugar into Thermomix and mill 20 seconds / speed 10.
   
   
2. Insert butterfly whisk; then add
   250g nuttelex,
   1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and
   60g rice milk and mix 3 minutes / speed 3.
   
   
3. Spread over top of cake (you might find you have more than you need) and decorate with a sprinkling of
   activated buckwheat.

chocolate + strawberry cake

Serves 2

Ingredients

4 tablespoons gluten free self raising flour

4 tablespoons coconut sugar

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

3 tablespoons rice milk

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 egg

punnet strawberries

coconut ice cream

Method

1. Combine all ingredients (except strawberries and ice cream) and whisk well with a fork
2. Cut strawberries into bite-size pieces and add
3. Pour into a mini cake tin, small oven-proof bowl or 2 ramekins (or you can mix it in the bowl you plan to cook it in)
4. Bake in a fan forced oven at 180 degrees for 30 minutes
5. Serve with your choice of coconut ice cream and strawberries

Notes
You can double, triple or quadruple this recipe to make a larger cake. I like being able to make a single serve cake for my husband and I for a one-off bit of indulgence. You can also cook this cake in the microwave by cooking on high for 1.5 - 3 minutes. Pictured below is an organic coconut ice cream I have come across called Coco Luscious...