Hi friends,
Every year for my birthday I get to create a delicious birthday cake for myself and to share with others of course. As I reflect back on the years, I can honestly say I’m so grateful for all my experiences good and bad as they have made me grow and lead me to my purpose and passion in my life. My birthday used to be about drinking and partying but now it’s about having a day of self love and spending time with my family and loved ones.
When I was deciding what to make this year one thing kept popping into my head, Neapolitan ice cream, a childhood favourite of mine! I don’t know if you remember or ever experienced Neapolitan ice cream, it contained a layer of chocolate, a layer of strawberry, and a layer of vanilla. The only difference with my version is that it is made with natural and healthy ingredients that won’t leave your tummies aching.
♥♥♥
So like a lot of my raw cakes they are always dairy, gluten and processed sugar free! I replace cream cheese for raw cashews which have the same smooth and creamy texture as cheese and they are a wonderful source iron, copper and zinc! The strawberries really make this cake extra delicious and works so well with the rest of the flavours. Strawberries are in season right now so i’ve been making the most of them. Strawberries are not only juicy and delicious, they are loaded with antioxidants such as vitamin C and have been known to alleviate inflammation and bad breath. Like all fruits and vegetables, try your best to get locally grown organic because you don’t want want all those nasty pesticides in your bodies or in your cake for that matter!
Raw/ Vegan/ Gluten free/ Processed sugar free
Vegan Neapolitan Dream Cake
Ingredients
- Base:
- 1 cup medjool dates seeds removed
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- Chocolate layer:
- 1 cup cashews soaked 4-6 hrs
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 1/3 cup almond milk or coconut + more if needed
- Strawberry layer:
- 1 cup cashews soaked 4-6 hrs
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 1/3 cup almond or coconut milk
- Vanilla layer:
- 1 cup cashews soaked 4-6 hrs
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla powder
- 1/3 cup almond or coconut milk
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- Toppings:
- Strawberries
- Raw Chocolate
Instructions
- For the base, blend together all base ingredients until combined (don't over blend).
- Line the bottom of a spring form cake tin with baking paper and transfer base into the tin spreading out evenly with fingers. Place in the freezer while you prepare remaining ingredients.
- Rinse cashews for chocolate layer under water and place in blender along with all chocolate layer ingredients until smooth. Pour into base, spread out with a spoon and place back in freezer for 10-15 mins. Clean out blender.
- For the strawberry layer, place the strawberry layer ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth. Pour onto the chocolate layer and spread out with a spoon. Place back in freezer for 10-15 mins. Clean out blender.
- Blend together all vanilla layer until smooth. Pour onto the strawberry layer, smooth out with a spoon and place back in freezer for 6 hours or overnight to set.
- When ready, let in sit out of the freezer to soften, top with strawberries, melted raw chocolate and serve!
- Store in fridge so for the cake to be nice and soft.
I’m so excited for you to try this cake and I promise you it will be a crowd pleaser! I hope you all enjoy my birthday cake recipe this year! As for me, I’m going to enjoy a big slice to celebrate:)
With love,
Maria Cristina says
Happy Birthday Swety!!
Tiana Haines says
Aww thank you xxx
Cassie says
Happy belated birthday Tiana! This cake looks wonderful!
Tiana Haines says
Thank you lovely xxx
Maria says
Hi Tiana,
I plan to make this cake for my friend’s birthday, it looks fabulous and I love that it’s just 2 tbsp of sweetener per layer. One question – is it correct that there is no coconut oil in strawberry and vanilla layers ? Also I wonder if 1 tbsp of coconut oil is enough for chocolate layer, other recipes usually use 1/2 cup.
Thanks!
Tiana Haines says
Hi Maria !! So happy you are making this for your friends birthday! It’s delicious (and healthy ) yes the recipe is correct.. you don’t need the coconut oil to hold the cake together the cashews will do that … you can add coconut oil to the other layers if you like but you wouldn’t need much! Hope this helps xxx
Maria says
Thanks, Tiana !
The cake was a total success. The cooking didn’t go smoothly though )) I bought cashews at the Indian Health Store and turned out cashews absorbed all the aromas from the store. So the first cake had a very pronounced Indian curry taste ))) Luckily I had enough time to make another one which was a total success. And I had a whole weird one for myself )))
Thanks for your blog !
Tiana Haines says
Oh that’s funny about the Indian health food store ! But glad you made another one and it worked out!! It’s such a delicious cake!! Thanks for making it xx