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    Recipes » Recipes » Baking & Desserts

    Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake

    Last updated - November 18, 2022; Published - December 23, 2017 By Rhian Williams 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Photo of fruit cake on a grey plate with a slice taken out of it

    This Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake is:

    • naturally sweetened
    • super moist
    • full of tropical flavour!

    Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake

    Inspired by my Tropical Carrot Cake, I decided to make a traditional fruit cake, like this Fruit Cake and this Christmas Fruit Cake, but using "tropical" flavours.

    Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake

    This Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake is packed full of delicious tropical-inspired ingredients such as:

    • nectar-like dried mango, pineapple and papaya
    • fragrant coconut
    • aromatic lime juice
    • sweet pistachios
    • warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom

    Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake

    The secret to a super moist fruit cake is letting the fruit and nuts soak in alcohol for 24 hours before making the cake. I used rum for a tropical flavour, but you could also use brandy. If you don't want to use alcohol, orange or apple juice works just as well.

    Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake

    For the sponge, I used a mixture of ground almonds and gluten-free flour. The ground almonds really contribute to the texture of the cake by adding moisture and fluffiness.

    Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake

    I scattered over some coconut flakes before baking, for decoration and extra toasty coconut flavour, but these can be omitted or you could use flaked almonds or something else instead.

    Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake

    Whilst a lot of gluten-free cakes tend to dry out quickly, this Tropical Fruit Cake retains its moisture for a good few days, and the flavour actually improves over time. Whilst it's delicious eaten all year round, it would make a great Christmas cake if you're not into normal fruit cake!

    Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake

    For more fruity desserts, check out my:

    • Lemon Blueberry Cake
    • Cherry Bakewell Cake
    • Apple Cake
    • Pineapple Upside Down Cake
    • Fig Upside Down Cake
    • Pear Dark Chocolate Pudding

    If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog, I’d really love to hear any feedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo #rhiansrecipes on Instagram! Thank you.

    Helpful tools to make this Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake:

    glass mixing bowl

    measuring jug

    18cm / 7 inch springform baking tin

    baking paper

    cooling rack

    Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake

    Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake

    This Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake is easy to make, super moist and full of tropical flavour! 
    4.29 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: British
    Keyword: gluten-free tropical fruit cake, vegan tropical fruit cake
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 354kcal
    Author: Rhian Williams

    Ingredients

    • 300 g (1 ½ cup) dried tropical fruit , finely chopped (I used a mixture of pineapple, mango, papaya and goji berries)
    • 50 g (½ cup) pistachio nuts , roughly chopped (or sub any other nuts)
    • 4 tablespoons desiccated coconut
    • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon mixed spice (or sub a mixture of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves)
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
    • Generous amount rum or brandy (ensure vegan/gluten-free if necessary - or sub apple or orange juice)
    • 60 g (¼ cup) coconut oil (or sub olive or vegetable oil)
    • 200 ml (⅘ cup) unsweetened almond milk (or any other plant-based milk)
    • 4 tablespoons maple syrup (or sub any other sweetener)
    • 2 tablespoons lime juice
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Pinch salt
    • 150 g (1 ¼ cup) ground almonds (almond meal) *
    • 150 g (1 ¼ cup) gluten-free flour blend (or sub plain flour if not gluten-free)
    • 2 heaped teaspoons baking powder (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
    • ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

    To decorate (optional):

    • 3 tablespoons coconut flakes

    Instructions

    • Place the dried fruit, pistachio nuts, desiccated coconut, ginger, mixed spice and cardamom in a bowl and add a generous amount of rum or brandy, until everything is roughly covered
    • Keep covered in the fridge for around 24 hours, to allow the flavours to develop
    • Before making the cake, preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit)
    • Place the coconut oil in a large bowl and melt over a saucepan of boiling water or in the microwave (skip this step if using any other oil)
    • Once melted, add the milk to the same bowl along with the maple syrup, lime juice, vanilla, salt and ground almonds
    • Sift in the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda
    • Add the dried fruit mixture (along with any residual alcohol), adding a tiny splash more milk if it’s looking too dry
    • Transfer mixture into a baking tin lined with greased baking paper (I used a 7inch/18cm springform tin)
    • Scatter over the coconut flakes if desired, and bake in oven for around 30 minutes until risen and an inserted skewer comes out clean
    • Once out the oven, leave to cool on a wire rack before cutting
    • Keeps covered in the fridge for up to a few days

    Notes

    *You can alternatively use almond flour.
    Nutrition Facts
    Gluten-Free Vegan Tropical Fruit Cake
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 354 Calories from Fat 171
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 19g29%
    Saturated Fat 8g40%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 2g
    Sodium 56mg2%
    Potassium 115mg3%
    Carbohydrates 43g14%
    Fiber 6g24%
    Sugar 22g24%
    Protein 8g16%
    Vitamin A 3181IU64%
    Vitamin C 6mg7%
    Calcium 106mg11%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Made the recipe?Tag @rhiansrecipes on instagram and use the hashtag #rhiansrecipes!

    Disclosure: This posts contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase any of these products, a small percentage will come to me with no extra cost to you! This income will go towards the running of this blog – thank you.

    More Baking & Dessert Recipes

    • Vegan Blueberry Muffins (Gluten-Free)
    • Gluten-Free Vegan Churros (Baked!)
    • 35 Vegan Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes (Gluten-Free)
    • Vegan Baked Pumpkin Cheesecake (Gluten-Free)
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rachel

      May 02, 2018 at 3:52 pm

      5 stars
      Love your other fruit cake recipe so looking forward to trying this too!

      Reply
      • Rhian Williams

        May 02, 2018 at 4:00 pm

        Thank you!

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    Photo of Rhian Williams from Rhian's Recipes

    Hi, I'm Rhian! I make easy, undetectably vegan + gluten-free recipes, including healthy comfort food and naturally sweetened desserts using plant-based ingredients.

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