Gluten Free Strawberry Raspberry Cake (Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free)

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If you need an easy summer dessert, then look no further! This simple Gluten Free Strawberry Raspberry Cake is easy to make and bursting with fresh berry flavor. It's a soft, moist gluten-free vanilla cake topped with fresh strawberries and raspberries for a stunning berry combination that tastes as beautiful as it looks. Completely dairy free, refined sugar free, and allergy friendly, it comes together in under 45 minutes and tastes like pure summer. No one will believe it's gluten free!

Sometimes you need a quick dessert to whip up for a get together, special occasions, or for when you want something yummy and fresh without a lot of work and in those cases, this is the cake to make! This gluten free berry cake highlights some of summer's best berries in a simple, single layer cake that is light and tasty. No frosting or fancy steps required.

Berries are packed with antioxidants which are cell protective and anti-inflammatory. They are also filled with vitamins and fiber for heart health, immune support, and gut health. Talk about a healthy dessert! This is a cake you can feel good about.

Why You'll Love this Strawberry Raspberry Cake

Allergy friendly: this snack cake is gluten free, dairy free, nut free, corn free, and soy free, making it perfect for a party. Everyone will be able to partake!
No refined sugar: made without refined sugar and using only a fraction of the sugar of traditional cakes, this healthy cake is lower glycemic. The use of fresh berries helps add plenty of natural sweetness.
Low fat: most cake recipes contain a high amount of fat in the form of oils and/or butter. We cut the amount of fat needed in this recipe by using applesauce for half of the oil. This adds moisture without extra fat.
Easy and quick: layer cakes can be a lot of work, but this single-layer gluten free strawberry cake is easy to whip up and requires no making of strawberry puree.
Two berry combo: juicy strawberries AND raspberries create a more complex, fun flavor that plain strawberry cakes can't match. Plus, we are using real strawberries and raspberries, no artificial flavors!
No frosting required: a simple dusting of powdered sugar is all you need. The berries do the decorating for you.

Gluten Free Strawberry Raspberry Cake Ingredients

Gluten free flour: be sure to use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum for best results.
Tigernut flour: this is a nut free alternative that adds sweetness and helps the texture of gluten free baked goods. You can also use almond flour.
Tapioca starch: adding a little starch to gluten free baked goods helps with a lighter texture and tender crumb.
Coconut sugar: the unrefined sweetener used in this gluten free strawberry cake recipe.
Eggs: 2 large eggs are needed.
Coconut oil: the healthy fat used for this gluten free cake.
Applesauce: applesauce adds moisture without tasting it or needing extra fat.
Raspberries and strawberries: you'll need fresh strawberries and fresh raspberries for best results.
Baking powder, salt, vanilla extract: I've linked my favorite corn free baking powder.

How to Make Strawberry Raspberry Cake

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 8inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
Whisk all the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl.
Beat together the oil, applesauce, vanilla and sugar in a large bowl on medium speed until smooth and slightly fluffy. Use an electric mixer or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer.
Beat in each egg one at a time until fully incorporated.
Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined.
Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan.
Arrange the raspberries and fresh strawberry slices on top of batter.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until edges are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool completely on a wire rack then dust with icing sugar if desired.

mixing ingredients for gluten free strawberry cake

adding berries to gluten free berry cake

Substitutions and Variations

Flours: you can always sub tigernut flour for almond flour if you tolerate nuts.
Oil: I have not tested this recipe with olive oil, but it would work just fine and add extra lightness to this cake.
Applesauce: you can sub the applesauce for mashed banana or olive oil.
Sugar: you can use organic cane sugar, but this cake will no longer be refined sugar free.
Berries: I think this is the best berry combo for this cake, but you can certainly just use one type of berry or experiment with other fruit. Try blackberries and blueberries or peaches and strawberries!
Pan: bake in an 8x8 baking pan and cut into squares instead for more of a strawberry snack cake vibe.

Tips for the Best Gluten Free Strawberry Cake with Raspberries

Don't over mix the batter. Mix in the dry ingredients until JUST combined, otherwise you can end up with a gummy cake.
Use room temperature ingredients. Eggs and applesauce should be room temp for even mixing and baking
Arrange berries generously. Cover the entire top of the batter with berries. As the cake rises, it will take up space between the berries, so you want enough fruit for the cake to look good AND so you get berries in every bite.
Don't over bake. Gluten-free cakes can go from perfect to over baked quickly. Start checking at 28 minutes, you want a toothpick to come out with a few crumbs on it.
Cool completely before slicing. Allow the cake to cool completely so it can set and slice nicely, this is key in gluten-free baking so you don't end up with a crumbly mess.

Storage

Store leftover cake, covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

You can freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and bring to room temperature before serving.

What to Serve this Strawberry Raspberry Cake with

This cake is fabulous as a strawberry snack cake or for an elegant summer dinner party.

Add fresh mint, a little bit of lemon zest, and extra berries for presentation.
Make it fancy and serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Keep it simple by just dusting the top of this gluten free cake with powdered sugar.

FAQ

Is this strawberry raspberry cake gluten free?

Yes, it is gluten free as written, just be sure to check ingredient labels.

Is this strawberry raspberry cake dairy free?

Yes, it is dairy free as written and there are no dairy containing products in the ingredients list.

Can I make this gluten free strawberry cake vegan?

I have not tested a vegan version with any egg substitutes. If you try it, let us know how it went in the comments.

Can I use frozen berries in this gluten free berry cake?

I don't suggest it. This recipe is designed for fresh berries and frozen will bleed into the cake and be quite gooey (in a not great way).

What is the best pan to use?

This gluten free strawberry raspberry cake calls for an 8 inch cake pan, but you can also use a square pan to make it more of a snack cake.

Can I use other fruit?

Yes! Try a mix of other berries or peaches and strawberries, for example.

Why did my gluten free strawberry cake turn out dry or gummy?

One of two reasons, or both! This first is that you over mixed the batter. You want to mix in the dry ingredients until JUST combined. The second is you over baked the cake. Be sure to keep an eye on it, and take it out when there are still crumbs on the toothpick. The cake will cook more as it cools.

How do I know when this gluten free cake is done?

The cake will be a light golden brown color, spring back when touched and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake should come up with a few crumbs on it.

Can I add frosting to this cake?

This cake is designed to be frosting free as the berries on top provide decoration and flavor. If you want to add frosting, I suggest doing it in a decorative manner, not by slathering frosting all over the top of the cake. Rosettes would be lovely or little dollops of piped coconut whipped cream before serving!

Can I add lemon zest to this strawberry cake?

Yes! A teaspoon of lemon zest added to the wet ingredients pairs beautifully with both the strawberries and raspberries. It adds a bright citrusy note without being overpowering, if you love a citrus-berry vibe.

More Delicious Gluten Free Berry Desserts

Want more strawberry recipes? Try my Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcake with Peaches, Paleo Strawberry-Peach Crumble, or Strawberry Bread

For my raspberry lovers, give my Gluten Free Raspberry Cream Cheese Muffins (dairy free) a shot or my Gluten Free Raspberry Crumble Scones or Gluten Free Raspberry Blondies

If you try this recipe, please leave a rating and review. I'd love to hear how you liked it. Be sure to tag me on social media too!

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