Easter Cake ~ Paleo Citrus Cardamom Olive Oil Cake

Healthy Holiday Dessert Recipes

 Easter is one of those days where we can meet with our friends and indulge in delicious sweets, as the little sprites play among the orchards and flowers gathering Easter treasures. One of my most favorite desserts is moist olive oil cakes, and the lovely Coco from Coco Bakes shares with us her incredible recipe. Coco reminds me of a modern day Audrey Hepburn from the film Sabrina. Just like Sabrina in the film, Coco moved to Paris to study at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu and now combines the traditional techniques of French cooking with her Paleo ethics. We had a such a delightful afternoon baking and discussing organic ingredients. She is inspired by her mother’s cooking the lovely jeweler (Cathy Waterman) whom I always see at the Wednesday Farmer’s Market gathering produce to make meals for her family. When Coco became intolerant to wheat, she began to experiment with various other ingredients, and in turn Coco Bakes was born. Read below for an interview with Coco and the recipe for the insanely delicious cake!

For more recipes that fit your healthy lifestyle see The Local Rose.

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Cardamom Citrus Cake

1 cup olive oil
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons organic sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon organic cardamom
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs (at room temperature)
4 medium organic lemons zested
3 medium organic oranges zested
1 cup gluten free flour
1/2 cup almond meal
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 blood orange

Preheat the oven to 335 degrees. Oil your pan generously so the cake won’t stick.

Zest the citrus into a medium sized bowl. Add the olive oil, sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk in the eggs until combined. In the same bowl, add the flours, baking powder and cardamom and stir until combined.

Pour the batter into the baking mold. Peel the blood orange and slice into 1/4 inch rounds. Place on top of the cake.

Bake the cake until a tooth pick inserted comes out clean around 30 to 45 min.

For variation try sprinkling organic chopped pistachios or sliced almonds on top.

Enjoy!

1) What makes your heart sing?
I’m happiest while in the midst of a dinner party I’m hosting. I enjoy the process of creating a menu with my boyfriend, who is a chef, gathering the ingredients, and spending the afternoon cooking and dancing in the kitchen with music in the background. It brings me such joy to surround myself with people whom I care for and enjoy a meal together.

2) What or where is your dream meal?
My dream meal is all the food I grew up eating, especially mac and cheese, and pesto. I love home-cooked food.

3) Do you feel like studying at Le Cordon Bleu prepared you for your pale recipes?
I believe that things you do prepare you for your next step, so yes. However, it is with creativity and the ability to adapt that I was able to take recipes that I learned from past experiences and adjust them to be paleo.

4) How has eating a more paleo diet changed the way you feel?
My relationship with food has developed over the years. I am not completely paleo, I find that by eliminating sugar and grains from my diet I have a noticed a lot of positive changes including a boost in my energy, less brain fog, and even some weight loss. I am a complete sugar addict so it has been a test of my willpower and strength but is worth it. Sometimes you don’t know how bad you feel until you start feeling better.

5) Do you have a beauty secret or ritual?
I wish I had some secret beauty tip but I’m pretty simple with my lifestyle and routine. Drink plenty of water. Eat whole foods. I strongly believe in using non-toxic beauty products. It is important to know what you are putting in your body because no one will do it for you.

6) Where do you see yourself in a decade?
I see myself living a life of love and fulfillment with my boyfriend and owning a storefront where I can bake alongside my family and friends.

7) Do you ahem a motto or creed you live by?
Family is everything.