Gluten-Free Coconut Dandelion Flower Cake

For Cake:

• 5/6 cup brown rice flour
• 1/3 + 1/6 cup millet flour (or can use wholly brown rice flour if preferred)
• 2/3 cup garbanzo bean flour
• 1 1/3 tsp baking soda
• 1/3 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup sunflower oil
• 1/6 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup water (can also substitute milk for a slightly richer cake)
• 1/3 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/3 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup dandelion petals* (only the yellow, the green parts of the flower add bitterness)

For Frosting:

• 1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup coconut oil (in softened, but still solid state)
• 4-6 tbsp raw honey (dependent on desired sweetness)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Generously oil two 9-inch cake pans with coconut oil. Set aside.

Combine the flours, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the oil, water/milk, vinegar, vanilla, and maple syrup until thoroughly blended. Slowly whisk in the flour mixture. Add in the coconut and dandelion pets and mix until just blended through.

Pour the batter into the prepared pans (you will need two as it will overflow in one pan) and bake until the cake springs back when you press the center with your finger; about 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack until you can handle it, then remove from the baking pans and cool completely.

To prepare frosting, use a mixer or wooden spoon and beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add in the coconut oil and mix until thoroughly combined. Add the honey to taste (you may want more or less depending on your preference) and frost the cakes once cool. This will be a very loose frosting, so be gentle when spreading it on. For decoration, gather extra dandelion petals or coconut flakes and sprinkle on the tops and sides. Enjoy!

*Please only harvest dandelion flowers from a reliable area you are sure has not been sprayed with pesticides. Unfortunately this rules out most public spaces and roadsides, but dandelions abound in most nooks and crannies so happy hunting! And if you happen to have extra petals, they make a wonderfully bright and cheery sun tea. Simply place them in a jar filled with water and let it sit out in the hot sun for a full day to enjoy.