A very special gluten-free birthday cake - Dairy Foods

How gorgeous is this cake? My brother surprised his wife, Nikki, with it for her birthday last weekend. Nikki is on a gluten-free diet and this cake is entirely gluten-free which makes it all the more impressive. Gluten-free baking is not easy, ingredients are unfamiliar and must be exact. Unfortunately, I didn't get to taste this beauty but Nikki said it was amazingly delicious (she took these gorgeous photos).

All I can say is, way to go bro, you did good.





{Photo credit: Lovely Scribbles}

Recipe adapted from Elena's Pantry blog

Six Layer White Cake (gluten-free)

1 cup coconut flour, sifted
1 teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
12 eggs
1 cup grapeseed oil
1 cup agave nectar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1.In a large bowl, combine coconut flour, salt and baking soda
2.In a medium bowl, blend together eggs, grapeseed oil, agave and vanilla
3.Mix wet ingredients into dry and blend with a mixer or hand blender until smooth
4.Pour batter into a bunch of well greased and floured pie, tart or cake pans
5.Bake at 350° for 20 minutes
6.Cool completely
7.Decorate and serve
Serves 16

Some notes from the birthday girl: "This cake is very easy to make if you have access to the ingredients. You can find grapeseed oil and the agave nectar at any major grocery store. The agave is in the organic section, but for the coconut flour, I have to go to Whole Foods, a gluten-free specialty store or purchase it online. I would not try making any substitutions starting out. Gluten-free cake, especially this one, must be kept in the refrigerator."

Cream-Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 lb. unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups confectioner's sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Optional: Whip up 8-14 oz. heavy whipping cream. Then either fold or mix whipped cream into prepared cream cheese frosting for light, fluffy texture.

For the filling, set aside a portion of the frosting and added diced, fresh strawberries.

Add Ghirardelli dark chocolate shavings to the top.

Please comment if you are gluten-free. Do you have any great gluten-free recipes to share??