Vanilla Berry Cake with "Cream Cheese" Frosting

Makes 1 6 inch 3 layer cake

 

3 6-inch cake pans

 

Cake:

 

1 1/2 cups quinoa flour (or all-purpose gluten-free flour)

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 cup packed soft Medjool dates, pitted, soaked in water for 30 minutes and 1/2 cup of the water reserved

1/4 cup raw almond butter

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 cup filtered water

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

 

 

Frosting:

 

1 15 oz can full-fat organic coconut milk, chilled 

1/2 cup raw cashew butter

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp melted coconut butter (not oil, warmed to liquid)

 

 

Filling/Topping:

 

1 1/2 cups mixed fresh organic berries

 

 

Instructions:

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 375F. Line three 6-inch-diameter cake pans with sides that are 2 inches high on the bottom with parchment paper. To prevent the cake from sticking, gently grease the edges of the pan and the parchment paper.

In a large basin, thoroughly mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt. In a blender, combine the dates, almond butter, vanilla extract, reserved water, and an additional cup of water. Blend until smooth. Then, blend the blended ingredients into the flour mixture until well combined.

Until bubbles appear, whisk in the cider vinegar with the batter. Pour the cake mixture into the prepared pans and bake for about 25 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cakes should cool fully in a pan on the rack. around sixty minutes. To loosen, cut along the pan's sides. Place the cakes onto a dish and remove the parchment paper.

All of the ingredients for the frosting should be combined in a high-speed blender and blended until very smooth.  Transfer into a bowl and refrigerate until it reaches the consistency of stiffly whipped cream, which may take up to 45 minutes, depending on the temperature.  When it's prepared, store it in the fridge until you're ready to assemble. To assemble, put one layer of cake on a platter, top with about 3/4 cup of frosting, and then press some berries into the icing. After that, place a second cake layer on top, followed by a third cup of frosting, additional berries, and the final cake layer. Cover the cake's top and sides with the leftover icing. Place berries on top of the cake to decorate it.