Gluten-free Lemon Pound Cake with Maple Syrup, Coconut and No Dairy at All

by DailyHealthPost Editorial

dairy free pound cake

Gluten-free Lemon Pound Cake

There is something especially satisfying and decadent about a rich pound cake—moist and sweet, on its own or with a fruit topping. The recipe here tastes like a naughty treat but it’s actually nutritious and just as moist and satisfying as the typical butter- and wheat flour-based version.

Warning: you have to love coconut to enjoy this recipe.

Lemon adds tartness to complement the sweetness of maple syrup. With vitamin C and anti-inflammatory antioxidant limonene, you get a health boost from this versatile fruit. The zest of the lemon adds texture and dietary fiber. Lemon is a natural detoxifier and supports digestive health—including acid reflux and the inhibition of kidney and gallstones—and boosts metabolism. (1)

The use of coconuts and all their derivatives is becoming more popular as their benefits to human health are realized. A healthy saturated fat that can be used in cooking (even at high heat), baking, added to coffee, and even eaten by the spoonful, coconut oil is good for your brain.

Coconut flour as a substitute for wheat makes this luscious pound cake gluten free. It’s a great fit for pound cake, which is supposed to have a dense texture. While wheat flour contains high amounts of protein, the carbohydrate content, farming methods, and increasing numbers of people with Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are prompting people to look for other flours. Coconut flour contains more protein than wheat but its carbohydrate content is comprised mostly of fiber rather than sugars and therefore has a low glycemic index score.

We could all probably use a little more fiber and a little less sugar, yes?

Real maple syrup adds sweetness, moisture, and nutrition to this pound cake. Rich in minerals, antioxidants, and with low glycemic content, it’s an ideal substitute for refined sugar. Don’t use syrup made from corn and flavored to taste like maple—only the real thing will do.

Gluten-free Lemon Pound Cake with Coconut Glaze

Recipe tips:

  • Use organic, free range eggs for optimal nutrition and rising power (there’s no gluten to make this cake rise—it all depends on the eggs and baking soda).
  • Use fine coconut flour of the same texture as wheat—the flour should be cream-colored, not white; this indicates that the flour was produced with little or no heat applied.
  • The loaf pan size used in the recipe (7.5” X 3.5”) will ensure the cake rises to the appropriate height; if baked in a larger pan, the cake won’t have the expected texture and moisture.
  • Coconut butter is denser than solid coconut oil out of the jar. It’s easy to make your own from dried coconut—find a recipe at TheKitchn.com.

Cake ingredients:

  • 5 eggs
  • 1/3 cup virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil, melted
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon coconut flour
  • 1/4 cup tapioca starch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch salt

Cake directions:

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  1. Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 7.5” by 3.5” loaf pan.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs with coconut oil, maple syrup, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
  3. Add coconut flour, tapioca starch, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
  4. Transfer to prepared loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  5. Remove from pan and cool completely.

Glaze ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup coconut butter
  • 2 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice

Glaze directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. Spread on cooled cake.
  2. Feel free to garnish with lemon peel, toasted coconut shavings, or fruit.

Enjoy!

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