Birthday Cake

Photo: Carly Johnson

We're celebrating Hero's 7th birthday with a Hello Kitty party. This is my first attempt at a Paleo birthday cake. I have to get over the fact that it's just not going to look as pretty as a fondant cake and in return it is going to be way more healthy and actually delicious.   The kids were coming back for seconds!

Birthday Cake or Cupcakes adapted from Wannabe Chef:

makes one 8" round or 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons coconut flour
• 4 eggs
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350˚F
2. Grease and coconut flour your pan or line your cupcake pan
3. Combine all of the ingredients together in a large bowl and mix with a handheld mixer until it forms an even batter
4. Pour into prepared pans
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the tops are firm to the touch
6. Remove from the oven. Let the cakes cool completely before frosting them

Coconut Frosting adapted from Paleo Spirit:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup grass-fed butter, softened
• 1/2 cup organic, cold-pressed coconut oil (hardened, not liquid)
• 3/4 cup full fat coconut milk
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions: 

1. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer* and beat on low for about 30 seconds
2. Scrape down sides of bowl and continue beating on high until the frosting is fluffy and thickened**

*If you don't have a stand mixer, use a vitamix blender - you'll need something strong to break down the coconut oil.  Blend until smooth and creamy.

**The frosting will “break” when you first start mixing it. Just keep going and it will eventually come back together and be light and fluffy like whipped cream.