SaMz Vanilla (Cup)Cake
SaMz Vanilla (Cup)Cake
Vegetarian, Paleo, CF, DF, GF, SF
Boxed cake mixes simplify life when you want to have an easy sweet treat or when you are hosting a birthday party and already have so many things to do. Taking a look at a popular brand’s ingredient list is enough to send chills down a food allergy parent’s spine. Below is an example from a french vanilla mix:
Enriched Flour Bleached (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Sugar, Corn Syrup, Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate). Contains 2% or less of: Modified Corn Starch, Corn Starch, Propylene Glycol Mono and Diesters, Salt, Monoglycerides, Palm Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Natural and Artificial Flavor.
While today’s recipe featuring Singing Dog Vanilla paste and extract is not a boxed mix, I add a note below so that you can make your own mix and store it to make later.
Let’s Eat Cake
Cake is usually considered a celebratory food, but what happens when a celiac or a person with a food allergy is offered a cake that may hurt them? The answers may be: (1) forego cake or (2) bring one’s own. In scenario 1, the person misses out and may even offend the person who offers the treat. In scenario 2, the celiac / allergy sufferer may offend the host, but at least they are able to also have a treat. My advice is to always speak to a host or the guests of a gathering and make sure that all person’s needs are met as this is one way to show kindness. Of course not everyone may agree but, after attending various gatherings where I have had to be left out or my children, I find that kindness and communication go a long way and are always the best options in healthy relationships.
Why go on about cake, gatherings and guest needs? Because today’s recipe is for cake that can also be made into cupcakes or muffins. This vanilla cake recipe is simple and flavor layers can be added according to your needs and safe foods. For example, adding chocolate chips can in place of sprinkles and make it more interesting for a child or a chocoholic. Can’t have chocolate, how about adding blueberries or cranberries? Have a safe caramel? Swirl it in for a visually appealing cake that enhances the caramel flavor.
This cake looks and tastes like a traditional cake although coconut sugar does make it a little darker and is a great option to share with those who do not need to eat gluten-free or who do not have food allergies. The recipe calls for almond and eggs, so it is NEITHER nut-free NOR egg-free.
My favorite allergy safe vanilla is by Singing Dog, so please check out Singing Dog’s IG page for gorgeous pictures as well as information about the company, its farmers and a variety of vanilla products.
The Recipe
Ingredients
1 ½ cup paleo all-purpose flour (¾ cup almond flour, ½ tapioca or arrowroot flour, ¼ cup coconut flour)
3/8 - ½ cup coconut sugar
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp. seal salt
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil (avocado, tigernut, melted coconut or soft palm shortening)
1/3 cup water
1 Tbsp. Singing Dog Vanilla Extract
1 Tbsp. Singing Dog Vanilla Bean Paste (or 2 Tbsp. vanilla extract)
Method
Preheat oven: 350ºF.
Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Whisk wet ingredients in a 2-cup measuring cup or small bowl.
Pour wet to dry mixing until fully incorporated.
Bake: Muffins or cupcakes: 20 – 25 mins.
1 – 8” round cake: 32 – 37 mins. or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Note: For the muffin option, use the lesser amount of sugar listed above.
Time Saving Tip
Whisk dry ingredients & store in an airtight container just like a boxed mix. When ready to make cake, cupcakes or muffins, add the wet ingredients & enjoy.
