Quick and Easy Vegan Keto Coconut Cake 

Here in the south, springtime parties usually involve Coconut Cake. What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than with this delicious dairy free, gluten free Vegan Coconut Cake. This cake isn’t just delicious it is also full of whole food ingredients, no need for processed gluten free flour, just foods that can nourish the body and help balance hormones including blood sugar.

This great recipe is perfect for the coconut lovers in your life! It makes a wonderful birthday cake, too. So gather your family and friends, and enjoy the beauty of the season while savoring every bite of this amazing recipe for a naturally gluten free coconut cake.

What Is Keto Friendly, Vegan Coconut Cake Made Of?

This Coconut Cake recipe is made of plant-based ingredients that deliver both flavor and nutrition. This naturally gluten free cake is made of soaked macadamia nuts to keep this cake rich and white like traditional coconut cake. Cashews add even more creaminess and nutty richness. 

Complementing the nuts is coconut, infusing the cake with its tropical coconut flavor and delightful chewiness. To enhance the coconut flavor and creaminess, coconut butter or coconut cream is added, along with a dash of sea salt for balance. Vanilla extract adds a hint of warmth and sweetness, while a touch of Luo Han or stevia provides just a touch of natural sweetness. You could also add a dropper full of coconut extract for even more coconut flavor.

Chia gel is added to bind everything together and keep this recipe egg free. You end up with a cake that's not only delicious but also low in carbs and suitable for a keto lifestyle.

Creating the perfect dairy free coconut cake frosting is an art. Each ingredient plays a role in achieving creamy perfection just like a cream cheese frosting. Coconut butter and cashew butter lend both creamy texture and rich flavor. Coconut butter infuses the frosting with that tropical flavor, while cashew butter adds depth and nutty undertones. Together, they create a luxurious base that forms the foundation of this indulgent frosting.

Adding texture and sweetness to the mix is shredded coconut, which not only enhances the mouthfeel of the frosting but also provides bursts of coconut flavor with each bite. Sweetened delicately with vanilla stevia or Luo han, this frosting doesn't need traditional sugar. A splash of vanilla extract ties it all together for a fabulous aroma.

Customize this gluten free, dairy free Coconut Cake recipe by adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a few drops of lemon or lime high quality essential oil, or decorate your spring cake with some beautiful spring flowers or herbs like violets.

Enjoy it with this Sprout Salad and Green Beans Almondine.

How Do You Make Vegan Gluten Free Coconut Cake

Making this gluten free Coconut Cake is a fun process that begins with blending all of the ingredients together until they form a slightly coarse cake batter that holds together. Shaping it on a cake plate makes clean-up a breeze!  Or shape it in 2 spring-form pans lined with parchment paper to get the perfect round shape and to create cake layers like a traditional coconut cake. Next, it gets chilled in the refrigerator until ready to assemble. 

The coconut frosting is a heavenly touch to this cake. There is no need for a cream cheese frosting to get the fabulous taste and mouth feel of a traditional coconut cake. This frosting is created by combining coconut butter or coconut cream, cashew butter, shredded dried coconut, vanilla stevia or Luo han, vanilla, and water in a blender. Once blended, shredded coconut is stirred in to be generously spread onto the cake, adding a layer of creamy, dairy free indulgence that perfectly complements the cake's nutty and coconut flavors.

How Do These Ingredients Help With Blood Sugar Balancing And Other Hormones?

The ingredients in this gluten free Coconut Cake can be helpful for blood sugar balancing and regulating hormones. Macadamia nuts and cashews are rich in healthy fats and protein which help to stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of sugars into the bloodstream and promoting satiety. 

Chia gel is anti-inflammatory, helping in hormone balancing, while vanilla stevia or Luo han ensures that the cake is low in carbohydrates and does not cause significant fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Overall, the nutrient-dense ingredients in Vegan Keto Coconut Cake work synergistically to promote metabolic health and hormone balance.

Coconut

Coconut is high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which provide essential fatty acids necessary for hormones. Coconut's low glycemic index helps regulate blood sugar levels, while the antioxidants in coconut help protect the body's many organs and cells. Its fatty acids are also known for their antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which can help combat infections and promote a healthy immune system.

Coconut's high content of healthy fats help improve cholesterol levels by raising HDL cholesterol and lowering LDL cholesterol which can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Coconut's MCTs are also easily converted into ketones, which are an alternative fuel source for the brain and may enhancing cognitive function and memory.

Macadamia Nuts 

Macadamia nuts are rich in monounsaturated fats like oleic acid and palmitoleic acid, which are beneficial for the heart. These fats also contribute to stable blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates. Macadamia nuts also contain antioxidants like tocotrienols and flavonoids which support brain health and may help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. They also are high in vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium which help regulate blood pressure.

Cashews

Cashews can be helpful in hormone balancing, blood sugar regulation, and brain and heart health. First, they are rich in healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health. These fats also help regulate blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity.

Cashews are a good source of magnesium which is needed for muscle relaxation, neuromuscular transmission, and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. It also supports brain health by enhancing cognitive function and has been shown to lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Cashews also contain minerals like copper and zinc. These are essential for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and enzymes involved in hormone production. Copper is also needed for the maintenance of collagen and elastin which are important for skin health and wound healing. Zinc is needed for immune function, DNA synthesis, and hormone regulation.

Cashews are a good source of the antioxidant, vitamin E. One of its primary functions is to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals which contribute to various chronic diseases and the aging process. Vitamin E helps maintain the integrity of cell membranes and DNA. It also aids in skin health by supporting the repair and maintenance of skin tissue keeping the skin smooth, hydrated, and youthful.

Sea Salt

Sea salt contains sodium which is needed for fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction. Sodium is necessary for maintaining proper electrolyte balance in the body, which is essential for hormone regulation.

Sea salt contains trace minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure and supports heart health, and calcium is essential for bone health and muscle function.

Sea salt also contains small amounts of zinc and iron needed for the immune system and energy production. Zinc is involved in hormone production and regulation, while iron is a key nutrient for oxygen transportation and energy metabolism.

Some sea salt may contain iodine, depending on its source, which makes up thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland relies on iodine to produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development.

Vanilla

Vanilla isn’t just a wonderful aroma and flavor, it also contains certain nutrients that can support hormone balancing. 

One of the key nutrients in vanilla is manganese, a trace mineral that is needed in metabolic processes. Manganese is a cofactor for various enzymes involved in carbohydrate, amino acid, cholesterol, and bone metabolism. Manganese is also important for the synthesis of connective tissues, such as cartilage and bone, and is necessary for the formation of collagen.

Manganese is involved in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. Manganese also helps support immune function by activating immune cells and enhancing their ability to fight off infections and illnesses. Vanilla also contains small amounts of potassium and magnesium mentioned above.

Vanillin, also found in vanilla, is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals which reduce inflammation and lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers.

Luo Han 

Luo Han Guo, also known as monk fruit or Lou Han, is a small, sweet fruit native to southern China that is primarily used as a natural sweetener but also contains phytonutrients.

One of the key components of Luo Han Guo is mogrosides, which are natural compounds responsible for its sweet taste. Unlike sugar, mogrosides do not significantly affect blood sugar levels, making it a good sugar substitute when managing blood sugar levels or reducing calorie intake. Studies have indicated that mogrosides may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, as well as benefits for cardiovascular health and immune function.

Luo Han Guo also contains antioxidants, including flavonoids and vitamin C. 

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are packed with nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for brain health and function, and they also play a role in reducing inflammation. Inflammation is linked to various chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.

Chia seeds are also rich in soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps slow down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream while insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool and promotes regular bowel movements, supporting digestive health and preventing constipation.

Additionally, chia seeds are a good source of protein with all nine essential amino acids. Protein is essential for hormone production and balancing, as well as for muscle repair and growth. 

Chia seeds also contain vitamins and minerals that are important for hormone regulation, blood sugar control, and cardiovascular health. These include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese. These nutrients contribute to bone health, nerve function, and energy metabolism. 

As spring flowers bloom and get-togethers become more frequent, indulging in a dessert like this vegan, keto, gluten free Coconut Cake adds a wonderful finish to any occasion. This cake is a wonderful blend of flavors and textures, making it a perfect choice for celebrating the season's festivities with family and friends.

Whether it's a garden party, Easter brunch, Passover, or simply a weekend treat, this dairy free coconut cake offers an indulgence that works with the plant-based, gluten free, vegan, and keto lifestyle. Plus, it’s so easy to put together that you can whip up this show stopping cake in no time, allowing you to spend more moments enjoying the spring activities with your loved ones.

Where Can You Find This And Other Nutritious And Delicious Recipes Like It?

This recipe is adapted from Healing Kitchen: Holiday Recipe Makeovers by Dr Ritamarie Loscalzo found in Dr Ritamarie’s Unstoppable Health Community.  For more raw vegan, gluten free cake recipes…