Lavender Poppy Loaf

I posted this recipe over a year ago now and I decided it was time to give it a revamp in terms of ingredients as well as pictures. I hope you all love this new recipe, and give lavender a try!

Lavender has been one of my obsessions for many years now. My best friend worked at a bakeshop here in Montreal and often came home with leftover cupcakes from the day. On a Monday evening, she brought home a beautiful purple lavender cupcake and I was instantly hooked. Monday’s (only day they had lavender cupcakes) became a little brighter for me as I indulged in the buttery cake that smelled of perfume. Lovely lavender cakes became a birthday ritual for me but often resulted in bloated, uncomfortable evenings. So on this journey to clean eating, I have successfully recreated my favorite dessert. Although I missed the butter cream frosting, the addition of coconut flakes and poppy seeds made the loaf rich and flavourful.

This recipe is grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free. Like all my recipes, it uses all natural ingredients. This was my first time using millet flour and I have to say, I was quite impressed. There was no unwanted “gluten-free” taste to be found, plus it has an incredible crumb-cake like texture! I highly recommend this flour for cakes and muffins.

Serves 7-10

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 cups millet flour (almond flour will work too!)
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1 tbsp dried lavender + more for garnish
• 3 tsp. poppy seeds
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (divided)
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar or xylitol
• 1/2 tsp sea salt (or himalayan salt)
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup coconut oil (plus 1 tbsp for greasing pan)

 

Directions:

1. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Grease loaf pan with coconut oil, or line with parchment paper.

2. In the bowl of a food processor, add you your 1 tbsp lavender and coconut sugar. Process until the lavender has turned into a powder.

3.In a large bowl, combine the millet and coconut flour, coconut sugar, 1/4 cup coconut flakes, poppy seeds,, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until well blended.

4.In a medium bowl, add the almond milk, eggs, melted coconut oil and vanilla. Whisk until evenly combined. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold until combined. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to even out the batter. Top with remaining coconut flakes and more lavender if you desire.

5. Bake, rotating halfway through, until the top is golden and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes and then invert the cake onto a cooling rack and allow to finish cooling for another 30 minutes. Serve with fresh blueberries and tea!