Vodka Laced Cake Jars (Gluten & Dairy Free!)

25 Jun Vodka Laced Cake Jars (Gluten & Dairy Free!)

Say hello to my new favorite dessert – Vodka Laced Cake Jars! I love delicious desserts made of all-natural, flavorful ingredients.  Think nutrient-rich almond flour instead of processed white flour.  Fresh fruit and  honey or pure maple syrup and real vanilla for sweetness instead of white sugar.  These Vodka Laced Cake Jars will you give you a little buzz and satisfy your sweet tooth without making you feel bloated!  And of course, you can skip the vodka- they’re awesome without it too!

These cake jars also really easy to make, thanks to a few of my favorite all-natural store bought products. I used Simple Mills Gluten Free Vanilla Cake Mix because it’s naturally low in sugar, has only a handful of  ingredients and its made with nutritious almond flour, not white flour.  You can use any all natural gluten free cake mix that you like. Some of my other favorite brands are Namaste Gluten Free Cake Mix and Cherry Brook Kitchen Cake Mix.  And if gluten free isn’t your thing, even Pillsbury now makes a Purely Simple Cake Mix with real ingredients.  IMPORTANT:  Simple Mills Gluten Free Vanilla Cake Mix only makes one 8″ cake per box, which is why the recipe below requires two boxes. If the cake mix you choose makes two 8″ cakes, there’s no need to buy two boxes!

I also used Nada Moo Maple Pecan “Ice Cream”, an all natural frozen dessert that’s just as delicious as ice cream but made of coconut instead of dairy and natural agave nectar instead of sugar.

Make the cake and the vodka infused berries the night before.  Stick the ice cream in the fridge instead of the freezer the night before too so it’s softened by the time you’re ready to layer the jars.  PS. I bought all of these awesome products at Whole Foods, but these products are sold everywhere from Shaws to Star Market (just check out their websites to find them in your area or call your local market.)  The mason jars are from Target and about 3 inches high, but you can use mini mason jars or larger or even those thick clear plastic cups too. Love it? Please share below!

Vodka Laced Cake Jars (Gluten & Dairy Free!)

Makes 10 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 2 boxes of Simple Mills Gluten Free Vanilla Cake Mix (or 1 box of  a cake mix that makes 2 cakes)
• 6 eggs (*for 2 boxes of Simple Mills Gluten Free Cake Mix)
• 2/3 cup water (*for 2 boxes of Simple Mills Gluten Free Cake Mix)
• 2/3 cup coconut oil, melted (*for 2 boxes of Simple Mills Gluten Free Cake Mix)
• 2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract (*for 2 boxes of Simple Mills Gluten Free Cake Mix)
• 2 pints Nada Moo Maple Pecan Ice Cream (or your favorite all natural ice cream), stored in the fridge so it softens
• 1 (12 ounce) bag frozen blueberries, defrosted and drained!
• 1 (12 ounce) bag frozen raspberries, defrosted only!
• 2/3 cup gluten free vodka like Titos or Deep Eddy
• 6 tablespoons pure maple syrup (not the fake stuff!)
• 1 lime

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 2 glass pie plates or cake pans generously with cooking spray (or you can coat with coconut oil.)  Tip:  I found that using glass pie plates made the cakes more moist.
2. Make the cakes according to the package instructions, except use coconut oil in place of the oil / fat they recommend.  ***NOTE: the amount of eggs, oil or water required depends on the individual cake mix you purchase and some cake mixes may only require one or two of those ingredients- make sure to check the back of the cake mix box.   Bake according to package directions. Bake for only 25 to 30 minutes if using Simple Mills Gluten Free Cake Mix (check it after 25 to make sure it’s cooked, if not add a few minutes of cook time).
3. In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup vodka with the raspberries plus 3 tablespoons of  the pure maple syrup.  Add zest from 1/2 of the lime.  Repeat the same process for the blueberries in a separate bowl.
4. To assemble the cake jars:  Cut chunks of the almond cake and press into the bottom of the jars.  Add a scoop of softened ice cream and berries.  Repeat.  I sort of added a tiny piece of cake and a little more fruit on the top of each and made sure that some of the ice cream peeked through.  But the truth is, you can layer these bad boys any way you’d like.
5. Serve and enjoy!

SO, WHAT’S THE NUTRITION BALANCE?

This recipe is mostly carbohydrates and fat.  There are a few ways to indulge in dessert while keeping your waist line in check: have a light dinner of lean protein like grilled chicken or shrimp for example, plus some green veggies (low in carbs.)  Then follow the meal with a small cake jar for dessert.  The balance of protein, fat and carbs is a good thing and will prevent blood sugar from spiking!  Serving protein alongside the pie will prevent a blood sugar spike and minimize fat storage and cravings later on. Or just have it as it is when you want as a healthy splurge.