Link Love: Healthy grain free cake recipes

Making the transition to free-from baking can be a little tricky; let me tell you I have had my fair share of absolute fails when I’ve been recipe testing! (The best can be resurrected as some kind of granola or “crumble” topping…the worst must go straight to the bin). Going completely grain-free when baking takes you to the next level, as then cakes tend to use a lot of heavy and/or crumbly flours like almond or coconut flour. It’s important to get the balance between these right and include enough liquids and binding ingredients to produce a good bake.

All of that said, grain free baking can result in some incredibly delicious and often healthier cakes that are dense and satisfying, and higher in protein and fibre. I love the nutty, rich flavour and texture of nut flour based cakes, and I also love the natural sweetness coconut flour can bring to a bake. These cakes often freeze really well too, so you can stock up any extras for those times you just need a slice of cake and a cuppa, quick smart.

To encourage you on your quest to conquer grain free baking, I have rounded up a collection of grain free cake recipes from some of my blogging pals. I have chosen recipes that are free from refined white sugar, and many of these recipes are dairy free also. Grab your mixing bowls!

• These beautiful vanilla cupcakes by Raising Generation Nourished are grain, egg, nut AND refined sugar free. Made for a first birthday, I think they’d be perfect for many more types of celebrations! The frosting looks divine.
• Speaking of beautiful food, I am just totally in awe of this stunning Healthy Almond Chocolate Almond Caramel Tart by Green Healthy Cooking; it’s also vegan, using a mixture of coconut cream and coconut sugar to create the most amazing dairy free caramel.
• For a healthier cake with the most beautiful pink hue, try this Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting by Recipes to Nourish, (pictured below). It uses a base of cassava flour and is sweetened with maple sugar; it looks and sounds delicious.

• I love the look and the sound of these Small Batch Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Raw Chocolate Frosting by Better with Cake. It’s nice to get a recipe that just makes a few portions; you can always double up if needed! They’re paleo friendly.
• Continuing with a chocolate theme, this Grain Free Chocolate Cake over on Gnowfglins is based upon using up leftover nut pulp; what a wonderful way to use this up after making homemade nut milk!
• My Orange, Almond and Raspberry Cake (pictured at the top) has been quite a popular recipe on Nourish Everyday. It’s really so easy to make and you use the whole orange in the cake; there’s no waste.
• A twist on a classic Raisin Bread by loveurbelly (pictured below) is dairy free, nut free and grain free, and there are also instructions for making an egg free version if you need it. Sweet potato, coconut flour and a touch of honey would make this so sweet and tasty.

• This cake is described as “a cross between a chocolate truffle and a brownie“, which can only mean it’s wonderfully decadent. Small Footprint Family’s post sharing Carol Lovett’s Grain Free Chocolate Truffle Cake recipe is definitely one to try out.
• Cinnamon, custard and coconut – I love all of those things! Holistic Health Herbalist’s Cinnamon Coconut Custard Cake brings together all of this magic into a beautiful treat.
• And if you like all things cinnamon-spiced… my Spiced Cinnamon Walnut Crumb Cake (pictured below) has the most divine crunchy nut topping and smells so great while it’s baking, your mouth will be watering while it’s in the oven!

• Another of my favourite combinations; chocolate and coffee. This Chocolate Espresso Cake by And Here We Are combines these ingredients with almond flour to make a delectable-sounding grain free cake!
• A cake that incorporates a decent amount of vegetables is always going to be a favourite with me. Eat Beautiful’s Parsnip-Pecan Cake with Buttercream works in puréed parsnip, one of my favourite root vegetables, and the recipe doesn’t use any refined sugar.
• If you’re looking for something that could justifiably be eaten for dessert or breakfast, then try out this Paleo Blueberry Coconut Souffle Bake by Cotter Crunch, (pictured below). The custardy, crunchy-topped fruity bake can totally be enjoyed as a breakfast crumble!

• This Pine Nut and Honey Mousse by Dr Karen S Lee is delightfully simple and doesn’t use too many ingredients, I love the simplicity of this recipe. It sets into a firm, creamy mousse-cake, and it’s free from refined sugar.
• Sweet potato frosting? Yes, yes please. These Paleo Chocolate Cardamom Cupcakes with Sweet Potato Frosting by Whole New Mom just look so incredible and I love the combination of spices used; cardamom is just so brilliant in desserts.
• Finally, my Grain Free Cashew Coconut Mud Cake blends down lots of dessicated coconut with raw cashews and a little maple syrup to make a sweet, dense cake that’s reminiscent of a typical mud cake, but health-ified of course!