This Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Sponge Layer cake is moist and fluffy, rich and creamy, and filled with sweet, summery strawberries. Also refined sugar free.
2heaped teaspoonsbaking powder(ensure gluten-free if necessary)
¼teaspoonbicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
For the cream:
400g(14oz)tin full-fat coconut milk***
2tablespoonsmaple syrup(or sub any other sweetener)
½teaspoonvanilla extract
To decorate:
3tablespoonsstrawberry jam(refined sugar free if necessary)
200g(7oz)fresh strawberries, chopped into smaller pieces
Instructions
For 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 lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla and ground almonds.
Sift in the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda.
Mix well, adding a tiny splash more milk if it's looking too dry.
Transfer mixture between two small greased baking tins lined with baking paper (I used two 18cm/7inch baking tins).
Bake in oven for around 15 minutes until golden brown and an inserted skewer comes out clean.
Once out the oven, immediately remove cakes from baking tins and transfer onto a wire rack to cool.
For the frosting:
You'll need to keep your tin of coconut milk in the fridge overnight for the rich creamy bit to separate from the watery bit at the bottom. Make sure it is full fat coconut milk, otherwise this separation won't happen and you won't be able to make this cream!
Open the tin upside down - the coconut cream will be at the bottom and you can just pour off the watery liquid (save this for adding to soups or smoothies).
Place the thick, creamy part into a bowl.
Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract.
Use an electric whisk (or a manual one and a lot of elbow grease) to whip up the coconut cream until light and fluffy.
To decorate:
Once the sponges have cooled completely, place one sponge on a large plate or cake stand, and cover with half of the cream.
Spread the strawberry jam over this layer of cream and add half of the chopped strawberries.
Place other sponge on top and use remaining cream to cover the top.
Cover with the remaining strawberries.
Best when fresh, but keeps well covered in the fridge for up to a few days.
Notes
*The lemon juice is crucial as its acidity needs to react with the alkali bicarbonate of soda to make the sponge fluffy. If you don't want to use lemon juice, substitute 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar.**You can alternatively use almond flour.***You can alternatively use 200g (7oz) coconut yogurt.