PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCES
I’m getting into this little habit of trying to post a recipe for each holiday, but President’s Day had me stumped until I remembered that some months back I’d sent to my site’s subscribers a brand new recipe called “Cherry Oat Sunday Cake.”
This was my first attempt at gluten-free and vegan—although the recipe does also include gluten-tolerant and non-vegan versions—and it was so good and we were so starved for something in the way of a treat that we ate it for breakfast, lunch, and supper, that I then turned around and made a second one the next day.
Since we all know about George Washington and his cherry tree story, it seems like an appropriate recipe for President’s Day, even if it is a Monday and not a Sunday. Not sure if Abraham Lincoln liked cherries, but I feel pretty darned certain he would not be able to say no to this luscious cake.
I highly recommend whipping up some coconut cream for a topping: Coconut Whipped Cream from Oh She Glows.
CHERRY OAT SUNDAY CAKE
3 c. whole, steel-cut oats
1 c. sorghum flour
1 ½ c. coconut sugar
½ c. potato flour
¼ c. tapioca flour
1 tsp. xanthum gum
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. sea salt
3 medium-sized honeycrisp apples (we’ve tried other types of apples, but none compares)
2 c. filtered spring water
1 c. coconut-based “milk”
½ c. agave
½ c. sunflower oil
2 flax “eggs” (see below)
1 banana, pureed
2 c. frozen, organic dark cherries
Applesauce:
Peel, core, and coarsely chop apples. Place apples, water, and ½ c. coconut sugar in medium-sized pot on very low and cook until very thick, stirring occasionally, usually about an hour; however be careful to remove from heat if the sauce starts to appear brown in color. It should be yellowish. (You can also do this in a Crockpot; cooking time will be 6-8 hours.) The thickness of the applesauce at this point depends on the juiciness of the apples. Cool, spoon into canning jars or other glass storage containers–about 2/3 full. Makes about 3 cups. Set aside 1 c. Store remaining in refrigerator up to 1 month. Freezes beautifully for up to a year.
Flax “eggs”:
For each “egg” soak 1 tbsp. flax meal in 1½ tbsp. warm water for 20 min.
Cake:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9 x 12 pan with sunflower oil and set aside. Blend remaining dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, blend wet ingredients with 1 c. applesauce. Then stir into dry mixture. Continue stirring for 5 minutes. Mixture should be somewhat foamy. Add cherries. Fold into batter until cherries are well distributed. Cover bowl with a slightly dampened towel and let batter sit 15 minutes. Pour into prepared pan. Cover again and let sit another 15 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool before serving.
Gluten-tolerant version:
Substitute 1 ¾ c. unbleached pastry flour for the following: sorghum flour, potato flour, tapioca flour, and xanthum gum.
Vegetarian version: Use 2 large eggs in place of flax “eggs.”