Chocolate Coconut Cake

There is just something about pairing chocolate with coconut-either you love it or not, we happen to really like it.

I have this recipe written down in my about grade 5 handwriting, my mom glued the paper into her old baking book which she handed down to me many years ago.

I made this cake for Valentine’s day and it was such a delicious treat!

 

Chocolate Coconut Cake

• 100 g dark chocolate
• 140 g coconut sugar
• 140 g butter
• 4 eggs
• 50 g shredded unsweetened coconut
• 50 g ground almonds
• 1 tbsp spelt flour
• pinch of salt

-Preheat oven to 325 F.

– Melt the chocolate with the butter. Whisk the eggs with the sugar then add the chocolate and butter. Add the coconut, almonds, salt and flour, stir until well combined.

– Fill into prepared cake pan of your choice, lined with parchment paper or well buttered and floured.

– Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until tester inserted into centre of cake comes out clean.

-Let cool completely.

-Dust with cocoa powder and shredded coconut or with a chocolate icing.

-I simply melted some dark chocolate with some cream and a bit of honey.

–The original recipe calls for regular sugar and white flour–

Thank you so much reading my post, I hope you’ll give this recipe a try!

Enjoy!

Ursula 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Coconut Cookies

We love everything Coconut and I have been having this idea for making coconut cookies for a while now. And finally I took the time to make some. It turned out really yummy, coco-nutty…they are gluten free and refined sugar free. A yummy, sweet treat that’s easy and quick to make!!

Coconut Cookies

Yields: 20 big cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, soft
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 3 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1 1/2 cup oat flour
• 1 pinch salt

-line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350F/180C

-whisk the butter with the eggs until creamy, add the maple syrup and vanilla, whisk until well combined. Stir in the coconut, oat flour and salt.

-Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheets. Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown.

(I use quick oats and grind them into flour using my coffee bean grinder.)

Happy July!

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

Follow me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

Coconut Pineapple Cake

This is a super delicious coconut cake, with little pieces of pineapple and a hint of coconut liquor! I love these tropical flavors!

Some of our spring flowers!

 

 

 

Coconut Pineapple Cake

• 125 g butter, soft
• 180 g + 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 150 g finely shredded unsweetened coconut
• 175 ml coconut milk
• 5 tbsp coconut liquor
• 4 egg whites
• 1 pinch of salt
• 250 g unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder

-Line a 28-30 cm loaf pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350F/180C.

-Whisk together the butter, honey and vanilla. Add the coconut and milk.

-Whisk egg whites with the salt until stiff peaks form, add the honey and whisk until well combined.

-Combine flour and baking powder. Add flour alternately with the egg whites, just a little at the time, folding it into the butter mix. Just until well combined.

-Fill into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 30 minutes.

Top layer:

• 120 ml coconut cream, thick part from a can of coconut milk or tetra pak
• 30 g butter, melted
• 100 g honey
• 100 g finely or medium shredded unsweetened coconut
• 3 tbsp coconut liquor
• 100 g very finely chopped pineapple pieces

-Mix everything together.

-Take the cake out from the oven and spread the top layer onto cake, return to oven for another 20 minutes or until tester inserted into middle comes out clean.

-You might have to cover the cake with aluminum foil if the top layer gets dark/brown to quickly.

-Let cool completely.

-Tip: I’ve also made this cake using coconut sugar for the bottom layer, and I used honey for the top. Tastes delicious!

 

I wish you all a lovely Mother’s Day weekend!

Ursula

 

Follow me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

Blueberry Coconut and Granola Jars

This is a simple but so yummy treat! Using my coconut milk custard recipe, crunchy granola and blueberries! That’s it! A lovely dessert or a fancy breakfast!

Served in a glass or in a jar.

 

Blueberry Coconut and Granola Jars

Coconut custard:

You can find the recipe here: Coconut Custard mini tarts with mixed berries

-Prepare in advance as the custard needs some time in the refrigerator to set.

Tip: Instead of the canned coconut milk I used 500 ml coconut milk from a tetra pak that only contains coconut milk.

-Using your favorite homemade or store bought granola, fill into jar or glass, top with some coconut custard and finish with blueberries, as much of each layer as desired.

-Tip: use fresh or frozen blueberries.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and everyone involved in the Toronto tragedy last Monday.

Ursula

 

You can find me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mango Coconut Rose Tart

I hope you all had a happy Easter and a great start into April!

I can’t believe I am saying this but last week I did not feel like baking anything special for Easter. Last year I have made a Swiss Carrot Cake , this year instead of something Easter themed I was in the mood of making something bright and flowery. Thinking of daffodils, it looked more like a rose in the end, but surely made me happy. The mango pairs nicely with my coconut custard, a little exotic taste that makes you dream of a beautiful island.

 

 

Mango Coconut Rose Tart

Crust:

• 150 g white spelt flour
• 50 g buckwheat flour
• 100 g butter, soft
• 2-3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 egg
• pinch of sea salt

-Whisk together butter, maple syrup and egg until creamy. Add salt, spelt and buckwheat flour, mix until combined. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

-Line the bottom of a 9-inch/23 cm tart form with parchment paper, grease sides. Preheat oven to 375F/180C, convection setting.

-Roll dough out to fit form, prick bottom evenly with a fork, cover bottom with a piece of parchment paper, to add some weight, fill with some dried chickpeas or other legumes. Blind bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove parchment paper with the legumes half way through baking. Let cool completely before filling.

Coconut Custard

-You can find the recipe here: Coconut Custard mini tarts with mixed berries

-Prepare in advance as the custard needs some time in the refrigerator to set.

-(Instead of the 1 1/2 canned coconut milk, I used 500 ml coconut milk from a tetra pak that does only contain coconut milk.)

Mango Rose Topping:

• About 1 1/2 large mangoes, thinly sliced

-Fill tart shell with the coconut custard, about 3/4 full. To make the rose, start on the outside and work your way towards the center, as you like.

 

 

I hope you’ll give it a try, let me know if you do! You can tag me on Instagram so I can see your creation:)

littleswisslittlecanadian

 

I wish you all a lovely week!

Ursula

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vegan Granola Cookies

Happy Weekend!

The first week of back to school went by rather quick, it also only started on Tuesday, because Monday was a Snow-day. All schools were closed because of bad weather. The remaining of the week was very warm and rainy, melting almost all of the snow we had, which was a lot. Now we are back to freezing temperatures.

I like to use weekends to prepare some healthy snacks to have on hand, easy to grab for breakfast, school, work or for that moment when you are just really craving something sweet;) lol. I usually make cookies or granola bars. The following recipe is a healthy, vegan, crunchy granola cookie that tastes, well, like granola.

I’ve been using flaxseeds and flaxoil for my breakfast for a few years now already, these are rich in omega-3 fats. Because of my very low iron level I always have to include foods into my diet that are rich in iron, and these cookies are perfect, rich in healthy fats, protein and minerals, including iron.

 

Vegan Granola Cookies

Yields: 20 large cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 cups oats
• 1 cup spelt flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup sunflowerseeds
• 1/4 cup pumpkinseeds
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup almonds, slivered
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup cranberries, dried
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp natural almond butter, or any natural nut butter
• 3 tbsp finely ground flaxseeds/flaxmeal
• 6 1/2 tbsp warm water

-Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350F/180C

-In a small bowl or cup mix together the flaxmeal with the water, let stand for at least 5 minutes to thicken.

-In a large bowl mix all your dry ingredients including cinnamon, vanilla and salt.

-Add the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, almond butter and “flax egg”, mix together well.

-With a tablespoon drop equal amounts of dough onto the sheets, and form, with the help of your hands into cookie shapes.

-Bake in preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or golden brown.

-Let cool completely.

Enjoy with a glass of milk!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ursula

 

You can find me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almond Coconut Birthday Cake

Happy weekend everyone!! This was a very special week for us; we celebrated our daughters 18th Birthday! I have to admit this comes with some mixed feelings and maybe a few secret tears:) Yes my babies are growing up, making me think back to when they were little, time goes by so fast indeed, but now I have a grown up daughter, and I am very proud of the young lady she’s become!

We share a love for all things coconut, usually my kids let me know what kind of cake they would like to have on their birthday, but this year they were both asking for a surprise:) I’ve made her a almond coconut cake with raw Raffaello truffles, you could of course use the real Raffaello truffles. I’ve made the cake refined-sugar free; almond coconut sponge filled with coconut whipped cream, so simple but so delicious!

If you love coconut you’ll love this cake!!

 

Almond Coconut (Raffaello) Cake

Almond Coconut Sponge

• 6 large eggs, room temperature
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup honey or sugar
• 1/2 cup almonds, ground
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 500 ml whipping cream, 35%, chilled
• 1 tsp vanilla sugar
• 1/4 cup honey or icing sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup canned coconut milk
• 8 or more Ferrero Raffaello truffles, optional
• lightly toasted shredded coconut, optional

-Grease and line a bottom and sides of a 9-inch (23 cm) pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 340F/170C.

-Separate egg whites from yolks. Add a pinch of salt to the whites and start mixing until foamy. Gradually add honey or sugar and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.

-Mix egg yolks with almond extract and fold into the whipped whites.

-Mix together ground almonds, coconut and flour then gradually and carefully incorporate into the whites.

-Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool for about 10-15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on a rack.

For the whipped cream frosting:

-In a large bowl mix the whipping cream and the vanilla sugar. Whip until lightly/almost stiff then gradually add the honey or icing sugar, as sweet as you like it, continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Fold in the shredded coconut.

Assemble the cake:

-Divide the sponge cake into 3 layers. Place one layer on a serving plate. Spread 1/3 cup coconut milk over the cake. Spread evenly with a bit less then a third of the whipped cream. Top with second cake layer and repeat. Add the third layer of cake. Cover the top and sides of the cake with whipped cream, leaving it like that or get creative with piping rosettes and so on. Decorate with Raffaello truffles and toasted coconut. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

Tip: You could get fancy and drizzle some coconut liquor (Malibu) over the sponge layers:)

 

 

Happy 18th Birthday!

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

Follow me on Instagram: littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberry-Coconut-Cake

June is usually the month when we get the first Ontario Strawberries, depending on where you live of course. We also have some plants in our garden, which are full of flowers this year, and I’ve seen some green unripe berries. I can’t wait to taste the first berries:)

June is also the month of my birthday:) June 2nd. I’ve made this amazing tasting strawberry coconut cake. Imagine coconut cake with a creamy mascarpone filling and strawberry puree! It is perfect for the month of strawberries;) or as other summer fruits come along I am sure it would taste great with cherries or other berries and so on.

Our strawberry plants.

 

Strawberry-Coconut-Cake/Erdbeer-Kokos-Torte

Coconut cake:

• 3 eggs
• pinch of salt
• 100 coconut sugar, or sugar
• 75 g flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 40 g coconut, shredded unsweetened
• 30 g butter, melted

-Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Line the bottom of a 22 cm round Springform baking pan with parchment paper.

-Mix eggs, salt and coconut sugar well for a few minutes. Mix flour and baking powder and sift it into the bowl with the egg mixture. Gently mix. Add coconut and melted butter only until combined. Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake for about 30 minutes or until tester inserted in middle comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Strawberry layer:

• 1/2 organic lemon, zest and juice
• 250 g strawberries
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 3 tbsp water

-Puree strawberries, lemon juice and zest. Mix together well cornstarch and water, add to strawberry puree. Over medium heat bring puree to a boil, and let cook for about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool down, then put in fridge.

Coconut Mascarpone Cream:

• 500 g mascarpone
• 150 ml coconut cream
• 100 ml honey, plus 2 tbsp
• 350 ml whipped cream
• 1 packet vanilla sugar
• 2 pouches unflavored gelatin
• 75 g coconut, shredded unsweetened

-Mix together mascarpone, coconut cream and honey, add shredded coconut. Prepare gelatin as directed. Add a few tablespoons of the mascarpone cream to the gelatin and mix, then add it to the rest of the cream. Whip whipping cream until stiff, add 2 tbsp honey or sugar, whisk again then fold gently under the mascarpone cream. Cover and leave in fridge until cake has completely cooled down.

Extras and Decoration: 

• Coconut liquor, Rum, Kirsch Schnapps…(optional, leave out if you have little kids eating)
• 100 ml whipped cream
• 250 g strawberries

-Place cake on a plate or cake stand. Drizzle some liquor on top. Place and close cake ring back around the cake. Spoon some of the strawberry puree into middle leaving a 2 cm space around. Cover with 2/3 of the mascarpone cream, spread evenly. Mix rest of puree with remaining mascarpone cream. Spoon onto cake then gently swirl, not going to deep until you have a desired look, kind of like a marbled look. Let set in refrigerator overnight.

-Carefully remove cake ring. I used a hot knive to go around first, to loosen it a bit.

-Decorate with whipped cream, strawberries and some shredded coconut if desired, to your liking:)

–you can use regular sugar to replace the coconut sugar and the honey–

 

Recipe by Ursula, A little Swiss a little Canadian

 

 

 

I wish you all a great weekend! Happy long weekend for those in Europe (Pfingsten)!

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

 

You can find me on Instagram @littleswisslittlecanadian

 

Blueberry-Coconut-Streusel Muffins

Happy Weekend everyone!!

These cake-like muffins were a huge hit with my family! Blueberries and coconut with a hint of vanilla…amazing!

This was mostly a surprise for my son who had a small surgery on his hand this week. I have been very proud of him because he was very brave!

 

Blueberry-Coconut-Sreusel Muffins 

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 cup butter, soft
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen

-Combine flour with coconut, sugar and baking powder in a large bowl. Cut in butter and mix until it is in tiny pieces. Remove 3/4 cup of this mixture to a small bowl.

-Combine milk with eggs and vanilla. Add to the flour mixture in the large bowl. Stir just until moistened.

-Stir blueberries in gently. Do not defrost frozen blueberries.

-Spoon batter into 12 buttered or paper-lined muffin cups. Sprinkle each with the reserved crumb mixture.

-Bake 30-35 min. in a preheated 350F/180C oven. Cool 5 to 10 min. before removing from pan.

 

 

The recipe is adapted from: “Best of the Milk Calendar recipes” Baked Goods.

 

 

 

Follow me on Instagram: #littleswisslittlecanadian

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Maple Coconut Tarts

Happy weekend everyone!! My kids had a week off from school for Spring (March) Break. Unfortunately the weather did not turn out to be so great…in other words, winter returned! For most of the week it was snowing and cold.

Anyway I found another way of using Maple Syrup in a recipe…I promise I will stop soon, but it is still the season right!;) These Coconut Tarts were soooooo good! I will definitely make these again soon.

Use with your favorite pastry. Makes enough filling for 7 tarts. I will add the pastry I used.

 

Maple Coconut Tarts

• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• pinch sea salt
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup coconut, shredded, unsweetened

 

-Preheat oven to 400F/200C. Grease 7 muffin tins and line with your favorite pastry.

-In a small bowl, mix all ingredients together well. Fill in prepared tart shells only 3/4 full. Bake at 400F/200C for 15 minutes.

 

 

Following recipe is adapted from my 1985 Betty Bossi book “Dessert Traeume”.

Pastry

• 125 g unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 3 tbsp honey or sugar
• 50 g butter, cold, cut in small pieces
• 50 g coconut, shredded, unsweetened
• 1 egg

-Mix flour, salt and honey or sugar. Add butter pieces and using your hands rub everything together until it resembles fine crumbs. Mix in coconuts then add the egg and mix everything well. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

-On a floured surface roll out dough and cut out circles to fit 7 muffin moulds.

 

Coconut Dream!!

 

Enjoy!

 

You can find me on Instagram: #littleswisslittlecanadian