a gluten and dairy free adventure
I wouldn't have predicted that experimenting with gluten free (GF) recipes would provoke such deep thoughts and actually be so therapeutic. Maybe it's the nature of my job, but I started to notice a theme in conversations in regards to this topic. Let me explain....
My mom as well as a few other people in my small social bubble eat a GF diet. I thought I might experiment. As soon as I mentioned that my next baking adventure would be GF, most people would immediately become disinterested and rejected the idea or assumed it wouldn't taste good. A few others, who are currently following a GF diet were excited to try a new recipe ( & by the way, not to toot my own horn or anything but I have a decent enough baking reputation that when I mention GF, certain folks were looking forward to sampling).
Anyway, I was determined to bake GF. I conducted some research & noticed patterns within the recipes that utilize coconut flour as the flour substitute. I noticed other patterns that brought me to the conclusion that the GF trial would be quite adventurous but I bet if I push myself a bit farther, I could make it not only GF but also dairy free. So when I then mention a gluten AND dairy free cake idea to my experimental group, their reactions were thought provoking.
Moving along to the actual taste test portion of the show...It was easy to get my regular crew to taste test. Others needed some encouragement...& by encouragement I mean I unapologetically insisted.
GF taste testers enjoyed their cake very much and asked for the recipe. (No surprise there.)
My favorite taste tester approached this experience in a unique manner. She asked about the flavor & as I explained some of the ingredients, she stated that she did not like 2 of the ingredients I used, in fact I believe that she stated that she disliked their flavor, but that she would put that aside as she was curious to try the GF cake. She tried it & really enjoyed it. But the biggest impact that this interaction had on me was that she approached it with such an open mind that I thought it must be indicative of her personality as a whole. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone approached life this way?
I'm getting to the point...
so bear with me...
I work in the school system and although your position is secure, your exact assignment may not be. Due to some layoffs, I was reassigned (not by choice) to another building. I got the phone call just a few days before the start of the new school year and after returning from vacation. I was legitimately in tears. I had just found out that I was pregnant, which is a blessing but it was unplanned. I don't deal well with change and this was 2 huge changes all at once. I like to have ample notice. I need to mentally prepare for EVERYTHING in order to minimize anxiety. I didn't know what my next move would be but I thought if I went to the new school to meet the principal that it would possibly decrease some anxiety (or increase it frankly, depending on how this first meeting went). I remember driving over during the summer following the highlighted map that my dad had printed for me. (I had a cute car but no navigation system) Before getting out of the car, I checked the mirror, I wiped away tears and hoped my red eyes were not too obvious. I wasn't sure if it was the pregnancy hormones or the job change but I was so nervous that I was convinced that if I looked down I could see my heart pounding through my top. As I was walking into the building, I took a napkin out of my bag to wipe my hands. My palms were SO. SWEATY. I hoped the principal wouldn't shake my hand because they were so sweaty. I went in to meet him and....ughh he stuck out his hand (we shook hands, ughhh). He asked if he was pronouncing my name correctly. That was nice, I thought. Maybe he is a nice guy. (shoulder shrug) He showed me my office. I was still super anxious. I placed my hand on the counter of my new office hoping it would steady my shakes. I looked around & made an effort to find the positive. It was a beautiful newer building. My office was huge and quite luxurious compared to the revamped locker room that was my previous office. I looked at him & said "Change can be good" (mostly trying to convince myself). Yes he says,change CAN be good.
There are approximately 80 staff members & 650 students in this building.
I knew none of them.
I drove to into work that first day convincing myself that change could be good and made efforts to keep an open mind. I met a lot of new people. Some relationships blossomed, others never stood a chance. I was GF cake. Some people decided that as soon as they heard there was a new person in my role, that this wasn't going to work. Some went out of their way to tell me how difficult my job would be & made it a point to state that even though I had experience that I had no idea how hard it would be here. "Just wait, you'll see", she said. I was questioned about my credentials, experience even my age. Others wanted me to do things exactly like the previous staff, wanting me to mold to them instead of molding together as a team. And...some, kept an open mind.
I've met 3 of my most favorite people ever at my current place of work. 3 people that have improved the quality of my life just by being in it. In each relationship, we must have given each other an opportunity to like and be liked.
So, when you decide to bake this cake, do not assume that you won't like it because it is dairy & gluten free. Don't expect it to live up to the reputation of any other cake that you have had. Don't compare it to any other cakes you have had. Taste it. And judge it on it's own merit. It could end up being one of your favorites, but without clearing your mind of assumptions and prejudgements, you will never know.
Here we go!
Preheat oven to 350
Prep pan by greasing with either coconut oil or gluten free shortening and coconut flour
cake ingredients:
6 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (use the good stuff! )
1/2 teaspoon raspberry emulsion
1/2 teaspoon raspberry emulsion
1 mashed over ripe banana
1 cup coconut milk
1/3 cup either agave or honey
4 tablespoons of raspberry coconut milk yogurt
1 1/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
honey glaze:
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
throw in a teeny tiny bit of coconut extract if you are feeling reckless
throw in a teeny tiny bit of coconut extract if you are feeling reckless
- In a bowl, mix the coconut flour, salt & baking soda.
- In your mixer, beat the eggs, vanilla, raspberry emulsion, agave or honey, and yogurt until it starts to froth.
- Slowly add in the mashed banana and create more frothiness (I'm sure that is not even a word.)
- Add in the dry ingredients and mix. It will start to thicken. This is supposed to happen. Mix until well combined.
- Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- Gently stir the batter with a spatula and then pour it into your prepped pan.
- Let it sit for a few more minutes.
- Bake for about 45 minutes. I like it to just start to brown on top. Make sure to toothpick test your cake for doneness!
- Once you have taken the cake out of the oven, mix the 3 glaze ingredients together.
- Once the cake has cooled for a few minutes, start to poke holes in it with a skewer or a toothpick and pour the syrup all over the cake. It is important not to pour the syrup over a hot cake. Then let it cool completely.
Now, to take this cake up a notch...
dairy free and glorious frosting:
5 ounces of coconut spread
3 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons of coconut milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
- start with the coconut oil and mix it until it almost liquefies
- add in coconut spread
- next add the salt, milk and vanilla
- finally slowly add in the powdered sugar until well blended
Now, sit down with a cup of tea. Clear your mind of any assumptions or prejudgments about gluten free foods and give it a try.
