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–+ servings

No-Bake Conversation Heart Cakes (Paleo, AIP-modifications)

Author: Michele
Servings: 12 cakes
These No-Bake Conversation Heart Cakes are the perfect Paleo Valentine's Day dessert that'll get oooh's and aaaaah's from all your friends. Creamy, flavorful, and colorful cakes with a chocolatey crust. Paleo, egg-free, dairy-free and it also is AIP Stage 2 reintroduction friendly (you need cashews and almond flour). There are also modifications to make it AIP elimination-phase friendly as well.
NOTE: This recipe is for 12 cakes. You can reduce this if necessary. Each of the colors will color 3 heart cakes each. Make sure to adjust this amount if making just one color.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours

Ingredients
  

For the crust:

  • 1.5 cups Almond Flour (use Tigernut Flour or Cassava Flour for AIP)
  • 2 tbs Cocoa Powder (use Carob Powder for AIP)
  • pinch Sea Salt
  • 2 tbs Maple Syrup
  • 1/2 cup Coconut Oil (melted)

For the cake:

  • 1 cup Cashews (soaked for at least 4 hours and then drained (see note for faster method) - use 1 cup Coconut Milk instead for AIP)
  • 2.25 cups Coconut Milk (about 1.5 cans)
  • 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1/2 cup Maple Syrup
  • 2 tbs Gelatin (add 1 more tbsp if using mroe coconut milk instead of cashews for AIP)
  • 1 tbs Coconut Oil (can be solid)

For Purple color (for 3 hearts):

  • 3 tbs Frozen Blueberries

For Pink Color (for 3 hearts):

  • 4 tbs Frozen Raspberries

For Yellow Color (for 3 hearts):

  • 1 Lemon (zest and juice)
  • pinch Tumeric

For Green Color (for 3 hearts):

  • 1 large handful fresh Spinach (about 20 baby leaves)
  • 1/2 tsp Peppermint Extract

For Orangey Yellow Color (for 3 hearts):

  • zest of 1 Orange
  • juice of 1/2 Orange
  • 1/2 Carrot

For Writing

  • 3 tbs Blackberries (fresh or frozen)

Instructions
 

Make the crust (bottom layer):

  • 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 heart mold - about 1/4 inch thick. Divide equally amongst the 12 hearts. Put in the fridge to start to harden while you work on the cake part. I recommend at this point putting the heart molds into a baking dish to support the molds, since when you fill them with the liquid after the next steps it will be really hard to move without spilling if not in a solid container.

Make the cake "batter":

  • In a blender, mix together all of the cake ingredients, except for the colorings. Blend for about 30 seconds to really mix well. At this point you should have 3 cups of mixture. If you do not, add a little more coconut milk and blend again.
  • If making 4 different colors, remove all but 3/4 cup of the mixture from the blender. If just making one color, leave it all in there. (If making another amount, you need 3/4 cup per 3 hearts, so you can do the math).

For the purple color:

  • Microwave or heat the blueberries just until they start to get soft and release their juices, which is about 20 seconds in the microwave. Add directly to the blender and blend.

For the pink color:

  • Microwave or heat the raspberries just until they start to get soft and release their juices, which is about 20 seconds in the microwave. Then press the raspberries through a fine mesh sieve over your blender to pour the juice into the mixture. Blend until incorporated.

For the yellow color:

  • Add the lemon juice and zest and turmeric directly to the blender. Blend until incorporated.

For the green color:

  • Add the spinach and peppermint extract directly to the blender. Blend until incorporated.

For the orangey-yellow color:

  • Add the orange juice and zest and carrot directly to the blender. Blend until incorporated.

Finish the cakes:

  • Then pour into a small sauce pan. Heat the mixture gently, stirring often, until hot to the touch.
  • Let cool for a few minutes, then pour into the heart molds.
  • Repeat with the remaining colors if desired, washing out the blender and sauce pan in between colors. If you only are doing one color for all 12 cakes, just multiply the amount of coloring ingredients by 4, so like 3 tbs of Blueberries would be 12 tbs (3/4 cup).
  • Put in the fridge and leave until set, at least 4 hours.
  • Once set, remove from the molds. Then use stamps, a toothpick, or a knife to make the words if desired.
  • Microwave the blackberries for about 20 seconds or heat on the stove to release the juices, then push the juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl. Using a fine-tip paintbrush, paint the words using the blackberry juice.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.

Notes

To fast soak the cashews, pour 1 cup of boiling water over the cashews and let sit for 1 hour. Then drain, rinse, and use the nuts. This step isn't necessary if you have a high-speed blender like a Vitamix or Blend Tec.
Also, you will notice the mixture getting thicker as you let it sit out longer (before you heat it). Don't worry about this, it's fine. It will thin out once you heat it.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cake
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Diet Gluten Free
Keyword: AIP, Autoimmune Paleo, kid-friendly, kids, Paleo, Valentine's
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below or share a photo on Instagram and tag me @thrivingautoimmune !