This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
I am just in love with this recipe for a variety of reasons, but think it is just perfect (and perfectly pink!) for a Valentine’s Day treat. So I hope you love this Grain-Free Strawberry Snacking Cake as much as I do.
Okay, so what is a snacking cake you ask? A snacking cake is a mix between a traditional cake and a quick bread — something that can be sliced and eaten on the go as a treat or dessert. Eaten with strawberry icing? It’s a nostalgic nod to a southern classic that I cannot get enough of.
Make this Grain-Free Strawberry Snacking Cake for your Valentine’s — or Galentine’s — Day gathering, put a small piece in school lunches, or just make whenever you want a delicious treat.
Grain-Free Strawberry Snacking Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups freeze dried strawberries divided, plus more for decorating
For the Cake:
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup avocado oil OR melted and cooled coconut oil
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice room temperature
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk room temperature
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 2 cups superfine almond flour
- 1 cup tapioca flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
For the Icing:
- 4 oz. dairy-free cream cheese room temperature
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter or vegan butter room temperature
- 1 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar see note for swaps
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Line a 9x9 square baking pan with a parchment sling for easy removal. Set aside.
- In a blender or food processor, add in the freeze-dried strawberries. Blitz until the strawberries have become a bright pink powder. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. *NOTE: You will use most of it for the cake, and the remainder will be used in the icing!
Make the Cake:
- In a large mixing bowl, or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the eggs. Beat on medium high for 3-4 minutes until they are pale yellow and fluffy. Mix in the avocado oil, honey, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and almond milk. Beat to combine until the honey is well-distributed. Stir in the baking soda and allow the mixture to sit for about 2 minutes.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, tapioca flour, baking powder, salt, and ¾ of the powdered strawberries. Working in increments, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, scraping the sides down with each addition. Mix for 1-2 minutes until everything is well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and transfer to the oven. Bake until the top is golden brown and when pricked with a cake tester it comes out clean, about 25-35 minutes depending on yor oven. If the top starts to get overly browned, place a sheet of foil over the top.
- Remove from the oven and use the parchment sling to carefully transfer the cake to a wire rack until completely cooled. Once cooled, carefully flip over so that the bottom of the cake is now the top. This helps with smoother icing.
Make the Frosting:
- Meanwhile, make your icing. In a large mixing bowl, or in a stand mixer add the dairy-free cream cheese, butter, almond milk, and vanilla. Beat on medium for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add in the remaining strawberry powder, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt. Beat on high for 2-3 minutes until combined. It should be pink and thick. Transfer the icing to the fridge until your cake is completely cooled.
- To finish, smooth a generous amount of icing and smooth out with an offset spatula evenly across the cake. Once you’ve iced the cake, crush up a few more freeze-dried berries and sprinkle atop the cake. Cut into 12 squares and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Eat Love Eats.
Hi! Can I use all tapioca flour due to nut allergies? Equal amount, 3 C ? If not, any other nut free substitutes that you recommend, please?
Thank you!
Can fresh strawberries be used in place of freeze dried?
not here, they are too ‘wet’ and won’t turn out the same.
She does it again! Honestly, I don’t know how every single one of your recipes is AMAZING. The family loved this. Perfect for spring / summer. I thought about just using a whipped strawberry cream cheese next time to make it even easier but everything was great. I used some lemon instead of vanilla on the frosting and less honey for the cake because I also cut the sugar if I think I can get away with it. Loved this recipe!!
Freeze dried strawberries are sold in ounces. How many ounces should I buy? Thanks!
I used one bag of these for the cake and icing: https://www.instacart.com/landing?product_id=30436&retailer_id=55®ion_id=148771968&utm_medium=sem_shopping&utm_source=instacart_google&utm_campaign=ad_demand_shopping_rp_snacks&utm_content=accountid-8145171519_campaignid-16074540121_adgroupid-131573614014_device-c&gclid=CjwKCAiA9tyQBhAIEiwA6tdCrDxHQ7aspm6YuVpnAyrYeQwChUYfx9LHrKf87yVEcUqjnRLdRMn8dxoCq54QAvD_BwE
But then I also cracked into a second one for the garnish on top. So I would grab 2 bags for the recipe!
Just made this yesterday and it did not rise! I was so bummed. Wondering what I did wrong. Didn’t make any substitutions except for the powdered sugar. The icing was great with the monkfruit powdered sugar. I make the paleo banana nut muffins all the time which are so yummy. Can you over/under beat this mixture? All my ingredients were new so I’m really stumped! I want to try it again….
Hi! My friend made this for our Galentine’s event and it was so amazing! I couldn’t wait to make it to take to our valentines party yesterday and it didn’t rise! Turned into a blondie or brownie like consistency? I am totally stumped what I did wrong. Any suggestions??
I would check the expiration date on your baking soda and baking powder, that would likely have been the issue! Or not beating the eggs long enough.
This snacking cake was light, delicious and the perfect amount of sweetness! Would make it again in a heartbeat!
Amazing !! Kids loved it but found the kosher salt to be too salty … maybe I did something wrong ..or the kosher salt I bought was too coarse. Was still delicious 😋 thank you for recipe
Honestly, one of my favorite cakes ever! The icing is amazing! I was a bit short on honey so used some maple syrup too and still turned out great. Thank you for all the grain free/dairy free/gluten free recipes! Your recipes make eating this way not as intimidating and super yummy!!
amazing to hear!!! thank you!
This snacking cake is heavenly. I turned mine into cupcakes. I didn’t have any tapioca flour so I used all almond flour instead and it turned out great! I can’t get enough.
Wonderful to hear!!