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A few weeks ago I shared the Paleo No-Bake Conversation Heart recipe (and video), which so many of you let me know you loved. A lot of you mentioned how you were excited about it being an egg-free dessert, so guess that means I need to come up with more of those, eh? But my fave part about that recipe? You can pretty much use any silicone mold and make a fun shaped dessert. For example, I am using it this week to make these cute little shamrock mini cakes for St. Patty's Day!
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These are the same cakes – a cross between a dairy-free cheesecake and a panna cotta with a chocolate no-bake pie crust base. This particular one is a mint chocolate flavor. For these I used Wilton's 8-cavity Shamrock Silicone Mold (you can get that here) and the “green” food coloring, which was spinach. You really don't taste the spinach at all – it just tastes slightly minty due to the peppermint extract. So also great way to get some spinach into your spinach-hating kids 🙂
Also, because this recipe only uses one color and no lettering like the Valentine's Day Conversation Hearts, it is super fast to make (it still needs about 4 hours in the fridge to set up though). I also discovered that it really doesn't matter if you soak the cashews ahead of time or not with this one. If you don't, just make sure you blend it really well so that there are no cashew chunks left in the batter.
And like with the conversation hearts, I used Perfect Supplements gelatin because I think it is the best. No funky smell, no clumps, and it's from grass-fed beef so I know it's the healthiest. You can get 10% off their gelatin with code THRIVING10 at this link (they also just came out with Vitamin D3 supplements too – def gonna be checking those out since I have Vitamin D issues).
Some other ideas for this recipe – use this egg mold to make some cute eggs for Easter. Or use this number mold to have a fun and educational snack time with your kids. “First you must add these two together and when you get the right answer, you can eat this one”.
Really, the sky is the limit with these, you just want to make sure that if you are making the cakes with the chocolate bottom that you use a flat-bottomed mold. A cool mold like this bunny mold wouldn't be good since there are decorations on the bottom. Those would be wasted on this since you'd never see them.
Use the conversation heart post for natural food coloring and flavoring ideas and have some fun with it! I want to know what you make, so tag me on Instagram at @thrivingautoimmune!
More Helpful AIP & Paleo Resources in the Freebie Library
If you find this recipe helpful, you may really enjoy the resources in my Paleo & AIP Freebie Library! There's a “dump” freezer meal plan, a list of AIP-compliant breakfast toppings, and so much more. Plus, you'll get even more ideas sent to your inbox! Get the password here.
No-Bake Shamrock Mini Cakes Recipe
If you make these mini cakes, I'd love to hear how they turned out! Either comment below or share a pic on Instagram and tag me @thrivingautoimmune!
No-bake Shamrock Mini Cakes
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 3/4 cup Almond Flour
- 1 tbs Cocoa Powder
- pinch Sea Salt
- 1 tbs Maple Syrup
- 1/4 cup Coconut Oil (melted)
For the cake:
- 1/4 cup Cashews (soaking optional)
- 1/8 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/4 cup Maple Syrup
- 1 tbs Gelatin
- 1 tsp Coconut Oil (can be solid)
- 1 cup Coconut Milk (or other dairy-free milk)
- 2 large handfuls fresh Spinach (about 20 baby leaves)
- 1 tsp Peppermint Extract
Instructions
- Make the crust first by mixing together all of the crust ingredients in the food processor until it comes together. Scoop out a little crust mixture with your hands and press into the bottom of the mold – about 1/4 inch thick. Divide equally amongst the 8 shamrocks. Put in the fridge to start to harden while you work on the cake part. I recommend at this point putting the mold into a baking dish to support the mold, since when you fill it with the liquid after the next steps it will be really hard to move without spilling if not in a solid container.
- In a blender, mix together all of the cake ingredients. Blend for about 30 seconds to really mix well.
- Pour into a small sauce pan. Heat the mixture gently, stirring often, until hot to the touch, 3-5 min. Let cool for a few minutes, then pour into the shamrock mold.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, then gently remove from the molds. Serve or store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.
is the peppermint extract necessary I have a kid who just the smell of peppermint triggers a migraine for her.
Nope, you can omit it if you need to.
Could i make this recipe in mini muffin cups? I don’t want to buy a mold for a one time use.
Yeah, you definitely can. If it’s a metal one I’d just run a butter knife around the edges of the muffin cavity before removing since they’ll be a bit harder to remove from those vs. a silicone mold.
These are so, so cute! Love treats made with gelatin.
Thanks Becky!
How CUTE are these?? I love the stacked idea with cake on the bottom and some gelatin goodness on top. And the shapes are perfect for St. Patty’s Day, of course!
Thanks Allison!
I’ve been absolutely loving your holiday creations lately, they’re just so creative and fun!
Thanks Kari 🙂 They are fun to come up with!
What a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday…
Thanks Carrie!
These are so cute and festive. Great job!
Thanks Hannah!
Its so simple when you don’t have to bake them and I love the moulds. A great recipe to get the kids involved with..
No-bake is the best! Except on a coooold winter day 🙂
These are so cute Michele!! Love a healthy and festive dessert for St. Patrick’s day!
Thanks Amy!
How cute and delicious are these?!?!?! I need to get that mold! Love your creativity.
Thanks Cristina!