Paleo in PDX

Remember how I said I’d post my Easter dessert later on? Well, here it is, a chocolate layer cake with coconut vanilla frosting. It was my first time making a grain-free chocolate cake and I’m happy to say that it turned out quite well. Jesse really liked it too, and he topped it with the dark chocolate body paint he got from my mom and sister. Remember how I opened it on his behalf at my wedding shower? See mom, it’s not tucked away in the bathroom cupboard, like you urged not to do! The paint brush isn’t getting any use though, as Jesse uses a spoon for drizzling! I admit, it does look (and smell) like really delicious chocolate and it is quite dark. Jesse says it’s very good.

The cake was adapted from The Healthy Chef’s naked chocolate cake recipe and the frosting was adapted from The Detoxinista’s lemon coconut frosting.

For the coconut vanilla frosting (double batch):

• 3/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 2/3 cup full-fat coconut milk, at room temp
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup coconut flour

1. Measure out all the ingredients and toss into the blender. Make sure to measure out the coconut flour exactly. Also, this can not be done with a hand mixer or whisk. You need to use a blender and be very patient!
2. Blend for 30-45 seconds or until everything is mixed together well. Pour into a bowl once done. The mixture will not be thick yet. Place in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours to set. I recommend letting it sit overnight.
3. Before using, remove from refrigerator and mix well. Then, let the frosting soften to room temperature for a bit. This will make it much easier to spread.

For the cake:

• 8 pastured eggs
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup raw honey
• 1/2 cup melted coconut oil, ghee or butter (I used a combo of coconut oil & grass-fed butter)
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup cacao or cocoa powder
• 1.5 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1. Preheat the oven to 320 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, combine coconut flour, cacao or cocoa powder, baking soda and sea salt. Set aside.
3. In a kitchen mixer or large bowl, beat together eggs, melted oil, vanilla, honey and apple cider vinegar. If you don’t have a stand mixer, a hand mixer works just fine.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet and blend. Once batter is blended and smooth, stir in shredded coconut by hand.
5. Line two 9-inch cakes pans with parchment paper and grease the sides with coconut oil. Pour batter evenly into both pans.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. My cakes were done at about 24 minutes.
7. Once done, remove from the oven to cool. Once cool, frost one of the cake tops with the frosting and stack the other cake on top. Then, frost the entire top and sides of the cake.
8. Store any uneaten cake in the refrigerator.