Pumpkin & Pomegranate

I have been craving strawberry shortcake for a while. I am from Texas, and as a kid my parents would take me to Luby’s Cafeteria, a Texas institution. I always wanted to get the Lu ann Platter with fried fish, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes. My mother, being the hippie health-nut that she is, would only allow 1 starch. I was then forced to get some sort of vegetable. I would usually opt for broccoli. I could also either get a roll or a dessert. Strawberry shortcake won out every time. It’s even healthy enough for breakfast.

As you can see from the ingredient list, this cake is packed with protein and good stuff. Plus it is intensely moist and satisfying. The whipped cream could also be made into “frosting” by adding more dates and strawberries. It isn’t very sweet like this, but it is thick and very good as whipped “cream”.

The cake isn’t vegan, but the whipped “cream” is.

I want to lovingly call this my Beanilla cake :-)

Vanilla Cake

Ingredients:

• 15 oz. Can of Cannellini Beans
• 4 Pastured or Backyard Eggs
• 3/4 C. Coconut Sugar
• 2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1 T. Virgin Coconut oil
• 1/3 C. Blanched Almond Flour
• 1 tsp. Baking Soda
• 1 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/4 tsp. Sea Salt

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Drain and rinse the beans (you can also use dried, just prep them ahead of time and let them cool completely).
3. In a food processor (or blender) combine the beans, eggs, coconut sugar, vanilla extract, coconut oil, and purée until reaching a smooth consistency.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk or sift together the almond flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and pulse until completely mixed.
6. Pour the batter into a greased 8 inch round cake pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a sharp knife  blade stuck in the center comes out clean. Set on a wire rack to cool before removing from the pan.

Vegan Whipped “Cream”

Ingredients:

• 2 C. Raw Cashews, Soaked for 4 + Hours
• 2 C. Strawberries (or more to taste)
• 5 Large Medjool Dates
• 1 tsp. Xanthan Gum
• 1/2 C. Coconut Milk
• 1 T. Vanilla Extract

Method:

1. Purée the cashews and dates  in a food processor until smooth.
2. Add in the strawberries, vanilla, xanthan gum, and some of the coconut milk and continue to purée. Add more coconut milk only until you reach the desired consistency. You will want to stop and scrape down the sides a few times while puréeing.