Everyone loves a good birthday cake recipe that's easy to make and a crowd pleaser! This recipe is perfect for summer birthdays as zucchini plants are often producing more than you can handle. Our family loves this recipe, specifically because of the nutritional value each ingredient holds. You won't be finding any artificial dyes, sweeteners, or flavors in this recipe! There definitely are not any inflammatory oils to be found in the ingredients list as well. Only whole foods, the way food was meant to be eaten.
This Chocolate Zucchini Cake is super easy to make, moist, and did I mention how yummy it is?! You probably won't believe your eyes when you see how little sugar is actually needed in the recipe to make this cake sweet enough, but not overly sweet.
Here's my recipe!
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
1 cup organic ancient grains blend (i.e. spelt, einkorn, khorasan, barley, rye)
1 cup zucchini, shredded
1/3 c organic cacao powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 c raw milk (or any milk replacement)
3 Tbls raw honey
3 Tbls organic maple syrup
1 Tbls extra virgin olive oil (avocado oil, coconut oil, ghee)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a food processor, combine all ingredients and blend well. Pour batter into a well oiled 9" cake pan or muffin tins. Bake for 20-25 minutes for the pan or 15 minutes for the muffins, or until it passes the toothpick test (toothpick comes out clean). Allow cake to cool. Serve with homemade whipped cream or chocolate ganache.
Chocolate Ganache
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (my favorite is the Enjoy Life brand)
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Heat cream in either the microwave or on the stove top until it’s steaming hot with bubbles around the edges, but not boiling. Pour over the chocolate and let it sit undisturbed for 3-4 minutes. Whisk until smooth.
Now, should we be eating cake every night of our lives? No. Is it just fine to enjoy a piece of cake on those special occasions and create those memories that last a lifetime with our families and loved ones? Absolutely!
1 year ago, I had been eating no gluten and very VERY little sugar due to constant hive flare-ups and other health issues. I knew this was stemming from gut health problems and I decided to set a goal that by this time next year (meaning today) that I would be eating birthday cake with my family! Guess what? I did it! I have been able to get my health back to a place where my body isn't responding negatively to random foods and even more of the foods that are known to wreck havoc on your gut.
Am I still cautious of what I eat, prioritizing nutritional value and removing toxins and indigestible ingredients? Yes! But, I have found that finding joy in life and having dessert with your family to celebrate is just as healing (if not more) than removing those tasty treats out of your life.
Everyone's situation is different. Up until just a few weeks ago, eating gluten made my stomach hurt so bad and gave me the biggest brain fog, so I didn't really care to come near it because I knew it wouldn't make me feel good. So be wise, listen to your body. It will tell you what it needs to feel its best.
Now who's going to make some cake?!
Love,
Danielle
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