Soul warming.
That is exactly what this cake is.
That is exactly what this cake does.
I have been staring at my computer screen for way too long trying to figure out the best way to describe this cake. Finally, the two most perfect words stuck out to as I was reading something else in the 100,000 other tabs I currently have opened in a single Chrome app....
soul warming.
I have been thinking a lot lately about the longest relationship I will have. Nope, not with a partner or a friend or a sibling. But with myself. The longest relationship you or I will ever have is with ourselves.
Shouldn't that be something we cherish? Shouldn't we speak to ourselves in a kind way? Shouldn't we radiate positive energy? Shouldn't we be compassionate in our everyday lives not just to ourselves, but others?
We all have this ability to tap into kindness and compassion, but I feel that we (read: me) often don't show it, especially to ourselves. Though I have overcome some scaries (hello brain!) I am still tough on myself, from what I eat to what I wear to whether I exercise that day or not and none of that is ok.
Please read these all in the snarkiest voices you can hear in your brains.
"I shouldn't have had that bread"
"I should go to the gym"
"I can't eat grains, I already had a slice of toast 8 hours ago"
"You should really go walk off that meal"
"You should really not wear that outfit"
LIKE WHAT. BRAIN. STOP IT.
Feeling shameful for doing or not doing those things is not worth it to me anymore, but I can't lie. I still have some serious bad days with negative thoughts and feelings towards myself, because hello I AM HUMAN.
Who we surround ourselves with really becomes apart of how we also treat ourselves. When I am surrounded by both my close and extended family all anyone can seem to talk about is how much they are working out, how well someone is eating, how much weight someone has lost or gained. It is insane and it is kind of crazy that it seems to be a competition between family members.
I am thrilled to hear you are not eating carbs anymore, that you are working out so hard you have 0% body fat, that you eat better than me and the rest of the family, but is there anything else to talk about? Grandmas who we haven't spoken to or about in far too long. New jobs we are excited to start. Moving to another state. Your pets. Gosh I don't know, something where we aren't comparing the amount of steps you took v. the amount of steps I took today.
That is just family. Friends can be the exact. same. way.
There is no room in our day to compare ourselves to others, especially others who bring you down.
Spending quality time with people who make you feel good, body and soul, who build you up, who make you cherish yourself. Spend time with those people.
We will always have the ability to be kind or show compassion to ourselves.
I will try my hardest to make that a priority everyday. I hope you do to.
The longest relationship I will ever have is with my damn self and I am going to cherish the hell out of it!
I hope you cherish yourself by loving your beautiful bodies and souls and by nourishing yourself with this insane cake.
the batter is ridiculous, try not to eat it all before baking!
the most perfect texture.
chocolate to orange ratio is 100%.
and that ganache.
THAT GANACHE. I CAN'T EVEN.
Just make it, I promise to not disappoint!
PIN TO SAVE FOR LATER!
Gluten Free Chocolate Orange Cake with Chocolate Ganache
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 ⅓ cup almond flour
- ⅓ cup coconut flour
- 1 ½ tablespoons tapioca flour arrowroot would work also
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ⅓ cup juice from an orange about 1 large orange
- zest from one large orange
- ½-3/4 cup dark chocolate chopped
Chocolate Ganache
- ½ full fat coconut milk
- 1 cup dark chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease your cake pan with coconut oil. You can use any 8 inch cake or bundt pan or an 8x4 loaf pan!
- In a medium bowl, add all of your dry ingredients and whisk until all is incorporated.
- In another bowl, add all of your wet ingredients, except the chocolate and whisk until combined and a little frothy.
- Using a spatula, fold dry ingredients into your wet ingredients until all flours are incorporated.
- Then fold in your chopped chocolate or chips.
- Pour batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly with your spatula.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until your tester comes out clean. I cook mine at 32 minutes every time I make it and its perfect, but it always depends on your oven!
- Remove from the oven and cool completely before removing and make your ganache while cooling.
- In a sauce pan, add your coconut milk and heat until it reaches a very light simmer on low heat.
- Add your chocolate and let sit for 5-8 minutes without stirring on low heat.
- Once you notice your chocolate getting melty combine with a spatula and remove from heat so it doesn’t curdle.
- Pour your ganache over your cake once completely cooled and removed from pan.
- Eat while still warm or when ganache hardens, both are delicious!
What an awesome well written blog post! Well said...
Thank you! Much appreciated!
hmmmmmm......was looking forward to this, but very disappointed, baked this for my sones birthday and it didn't rise at all. I consider myself an experienced cook and follow the recipe 100% its completely flat ;-( any ideas why this could have happened?
Hi Ruth. I am so sorry to hear that! The only thing I could think of is that your baking soda or baking powder was not fresh. It is a favorite in our home especially during the fall and winter and I make this often. However, since this is a gluten free cake with nut flours it won't rise a ton, but it does rise. I will be sure to test it again as I want it perfect for you!