If you haven’t realized yet, were big cake fans over here. I love any chance I get to make a cake, and Ella is almost just as excited, too. This Gluten Free Lilac Shortcake with a layer of white chocolate and then topped off with a homemade cream cheese frosting was definitely one of my favorite cakes we have made! May 29th is our Gigi’s birthday and we know how much she loves lilac’s and the color purple, so we tried to make this cake extra special by including those elements. If there’s any opportunity to add fresh flowers to any kind of dessert, but particularly cake, you’ll see me doing it. Huge bonus for edible flowers ;). We were super excited to be able to grab handfuls of fresh lilacs just out our front door.
If you have an upcoming birthday and need some inspiration, I definitely recommend this cake! Super light but also rich with the white chocolate layer. The addition of white chocolate in the center really adds another great flavor paired with the lilacs.
Gluten Free Lilac White Chocolate Shortcake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- June 10, 2021
- 1 hr
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Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 2/3 cup butter or homemade coconut butter
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons greek yogurt (love Fage)
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup (we used Lakanto)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups of almond flour
- 3/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3-4 bunches of fresh lilacs plus 1/4 cup to layer inside between white chocolate layer.
- -
- 1 block of your favorite cream cheese
- 1/2 cup + more of powdered sugar (we used Lakanto)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons of almond milk
- -
- 1 bar of your favorite white chocolate (we used Lily's Sweets)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Directions
- Step 1
- SHORTCAKE
- Step 2
- - Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Step 3
- - Line cake pans (we used 2, both 8″ diameter)
- Step 4
- - In a large stand mixer, add eggs, coconut butter or real butter, maple syrup, greek yogurt and vanilla extract.
- Step 5
- - Gradually add in the almond flour, coconut flour and arrowroot flour until there are no lumps and bumps in the mix.
- Step 6
- - Transfer batter to lined cake pans. I like to tap the pans on the counter to ensure that they are evenly portioned.
- Step 7
- - Place in the oven for about 55 minutes, or until a fork or toothpick comes out clean.
- Step 8
- - Once fully cooked, place on the counter to cool before flipping over and removing the parchment paper.
- Step 9
- CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
- Step 10
- - add room temperature cream cheese block to stand mixer.
- Step 11
- - drizzle in vanilla extract and a tablespoon at a time of almond milk.
- Step 12
- - gradually add in powdered sugar until thick, well-combined frosting forms.
- Step 13
- WHITE CHOCOLATE
- Step 14
- - In a small saucepan, add broken up white chocolate bar and coconut oil to the pan over low heat.
- Step 15
- - Continually stir until it’s fully melted.
- Step 16
- - Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Step 17
- ASSEMBLE CAKE: BEST PART!
- Step 18
- - I put a dab of cream cheese frosting on the cake stand and then try to center one of the slabs of gf shortcake. (make sure you carefully and slowly remove the parchment paper from underneath before laying on top of your cake stand.)
- Step 19
- - Then add the cooled, but not solidified, white chocolate over the top of the first layer of shortcake.
- Step 20
- - I personally added a handful of lilac blossoms, but that’s optional.
- Step 21
- - Then add your second layer of gf shortcake, making sure to remove the parchment paper (trust me, I forgot once and it was a pain in the rear removing it once already coated with a bit of frosting).
- Step 22
- - Next, take your homemade cream cheese frosting and add large spoonfuls all over the top of the cake. I use a miniature cake spreader to smear it out somewhat evenly. It doesn’t have to be perfect! I think it looks beautiful with minor imperfections and especially once you add more lilacs!
- Step 23
- - Cover the entire cake with a thin layer of cream cheese frosting
- Step 24
- more or less to your taste buds and frosting preference
- Step 25
- ). Ella told me to “lay it on thick, mom”…
- Step 26
- - Once topped with cream cheese frosting, add your fresh lilacs all over your cake. I like to leave the leaves on the branches to add an extra pop of color and texture.
- Step 27
- - For optional texture, I put the decorated cake in the fridge for about 30 minutes or right up until enjoying it with friends + family :).
- Step 28
- - Have fun with this one and let me know what you think!
