A coconut lover's dream, this gluten-free Coconut Cake with Berries and Blackberry-Coconut Whipped Cream is a delicious and simple dessert. Grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free.
In the last two weeks I've spent a lot of time sitting on the bedroom floor surrounded by photos, mementos, scrapbooks, and special objects that have followed me for years from place to place.
The things that I just can't seem to part with even though they sit forgotten in a box. Until the next time I move somewhere new and I pull them out all over again. This sorting and repacking system gets me nowhere - nothing is ever discarded and the box(es) of important things only grows.
We move into our new home next week. The two of us have been determined to simplify and streamline this time.
As we sort, discard, and donate, we've been listening on audio book to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.
Granted, this is probably not the order in which you should do things. I wish I had listened to this years ago. But it has been extremely helpful even in the midst of our de-cluttering chaos.
With ample trips to Goodwill and saying goodbye to many of the things I have carried with me. From high school to college to grad school and beyond. It's the experiences I want to carry with me, not the boxes.
Ingredients
Before I boxed up our little kitchen, I wanted to bake one last thing. Something happy and bursting with summer's finest. I slightly adapted this gluten-free coconut cake with berries from Food52 from Food52. Coconut sugar and coconut milk add extra coconut flavor.
I stuck with butter but plan to try this at some point using coconut oil instead. The cake is moist and deliciously coconut-ty. The variety of tart and sweet summer fruits on top only enhance the experience.
By pureeing and straining blackberries, the coconut whipped cream becomes a vibrant lavender. This only increases the happiness factor!
So, I say adieu to my little kitchen and objects of the past. But a big hello to this coconut cake with berries. Happy weekend!
More Gluten-Free Cake Recipes
📖 Recipe
Coconut Cake with Blackberry-Coconut Whipped Cream and Mixed Berries (Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
Blackberry-Coconut Whipped Cream
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk chilled overnight
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Coconut Cake
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- ¾ cup butter
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup coconut milk full-fat
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup coconut flour
- 1 ½ cups almond flour/meal
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 cups summer berries I used strawberries, blackberries, and cherries
Instructions
For Coconut Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9-inch pan and line bottom with parchment.
- In a medium bowl, cream coconut sugar and butter until light and fluffy in appearance. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add coconut milk and vanilla extract and mix until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- In another medium-sized bowl, whisk coconut flour, almond flour, and baking powder.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet until all is incorporated.
- Pour batter into cake pan and bake for 35-40. The top cake should be golden brown and a toothpick should come out clean. Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove cake from pan and let it cool the rest of the way. Then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will help it firm and make it easier to slice.
For Blackberry-Coconut Whipped Cream:
- In a food processor or blender, puree 1 cup blackberries and strain through a sieve into a small bowl. Scoop the solid coconut milk from the top of the can and place in a medium bowl. With electric mixer whip until fluffy. Add blackberry puree, vanilla extract, and honey and whip until combined.
Assembling Cake
- When ready to assemble, spread blackberry-coconut whipped cream on top of cake. Top with berries and serve. Keep leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Riley
I have been searching Pinterest for a cake like this! Finally I stumbled upon your blog and found this one! How do you think this recipe would work if I turned it into cupcakes? Would I need to adjust the cook time? Also, can I use heavy whipping cream or milk in instead of coconut milk in the whipped cream? I don't want an overly coconutty flavor. Thanks! This cake is so beautiful!
Tessa
Hi Riley! Thank you - I'm so glad you found me here too! I think this would definitely work as cupcakes, the bake time would just be a bit shorter. If you want scale back the coconut flavor, regular whipped cream would be a perfect substitute!
Alana
GOSH THIS IS BEAUTIFUL. What a perfect way to say goodbye to one's kitchen before a big move. Best of luck and you're the second person to bring up MK's book. Guess I need to get my hands on a copy too!!
Tessa
Oh, you should! The book has been much more helpful than I anticipated. Now we're unpacking and I'm still getting rid of stuff. Thank you so much, Alana!!
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks
Hi Tessa! I'm so glad I stumbled upon your blog today - I am always looking for new gluten free baking recipes and I feel like I came to the right place! I pinned this immediately.
Tessa
Thank you, Dani! I'm so glad you stopped by. :) Have a great weekend!
Kathryne
Sooo pretty, Tessa! Love that final bite. I just got Marie's book and I'm almost scared to read it, because then I'll have to go through all my sentimental things again. :)
Tessa
Aww, thanks lady! Hahaha, don't be afraid, it's a good thing. ;)
Souie
So fun to see both of you friends on the comments page.
With time off from work I discovered Cookie and Kate and my love for whole foods and cooking.
Even though I peruse and try other sites, Kate's recipes turn out extra special. I began to wonder if they where one of a kind and lucky for me, Kate introduced me to you Tessa! Like Kate's its proving to be one of the best!
Thank you for sharing your friendship and your gifts of creating a truly transforming eating experience!
Tessa
Thank you, Souie!! I'm so glad you found me here. Kate's recipes are truly fantastic and I'm lucky to have her as a friend. Thanks so much for your kind words!
Amanda Paa
I am reading this book too, and although we aren't moving anywhere, it was time to get rid of things that I'd carry with me too long as well. I've never been a huge saver, yet I accumulate things all the time! Are you staying in the same city?
I can't get over how gorgeous these photos are Tessa. The light coming off the berries is just lovely. And I love the simplicity of the cake. It reminds of a polenta cake I've made a few times. xo
Tessa
I feel the same! Things accumulate so quickly. We are staying in Kansas City, just few miles more into the heart of the city. Looking forward to a bigger walkability factor! And what's funny, after our move this week, I am still getting rid of things - I hope this trend continues. ;)
Thank you so much for your kind words, Amanda. It means a lot to me! xo.
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake
Such a pretty cake! I love the blackberry whipped cream, that sounds like a wonderful component :)
Tessa
The blackberry whipped cream is probably my favorite part. ;) Thank you, June!
Alanna
I love simple-ish cakes like this one, and that berry-kissed coconut cream looks sublime. I just made coconut flour muffins yesterday; the flour makes everything so sweet and moist.
I always find looking through old boxes of stuff such an emotional process, but getting rid of excess is always ultra satisfying. Keep the experiences not the boxes - yes! That book sounds right up my alley. Best of luck with the move, Tessa! Where to? xo
Tessa
Mmm, coconut flour muffins sound excellent!
We will still be in Kansas City, a few miles away from where we were, but more in the downtown area. I am so excited to be able walk to restaurants/bars/shops again. Thanks so much, Alanna! xo!
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness
Oh man, I don't like the moving days. It seems like everyone is moving now!!
This cake looks amazing! I love all of the fresh fruit sprinkled on top :)
Tessa
It must be moving season! :) Thanks so much, Cathleen! I just can't get enough of berries when they're in season.
Alison @ Food by Mars
Tessa! What a gorgeous cake and the ingredients are right up my alley. Lovely photos xo
Tessa
Thank you, Alison!! Yay! I love how easy it is to throw together, too. Enjoy your weekend! xo.
Pang @circahappy
I love any cake with colourful fruit on top, and this one is no exception. This has to be one moist cake, and with that blackberry/coconut whipped cream, I am in. <3 <3 <3
Good luck on your move. I moved 2 years ago and decluttered lots of stuff. Unfortunately, I also accidentally threw away some valuable stuff as well. I say, better keep than sorry :)
Tessa
Oh no, I'm so sorry that happened! There is always something that doesn't go as expected in a move I feel.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Pang!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
Oh goodness, this is stunning! I have just about everything to make this, so I think it's going to go on my to-bake list for the week :) I so love The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and wish I had found it years ago too. Now, I am so much more conscious of what I bring in/need in my house, rather than what I think I need. Good luck with the move dear!
Tessa
Oh yay! :) Crazy how helpful that book is, right?! Thanks so much, Abby!!
Kathryn
What a stunning cake! I love the colour of that whipped cream and you can never go wrong with piling berries on top of a cake at this time of year. Good luck with the move too; I wish you lots of happiness in your new home.
Tessa
Thank you, Kathryn!! The more berries the better. :) And thank you for your kind words. Moving always feels somewhat stressful but I think we've made it so it will be less so this time. I hope!