• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Savory Lotus

simple clean eats + healthy treats

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Healthy Living
  • Resources
  • Safe Skincare
    • BEAUTYCOUNTER
    • PRIMALLY PURE
  • MEAL PLANS

By Katja Heino 2 Comments
Savory Lotus may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this post.

Blackberry Lemon Poppy Seed Cake (gluten free + dairy free option)

Jump to Recipe
two layer cake on white cake stand

This gluten free blackberry lemon poppy seed cake is made of 2 moist layers of light + fluffy cake, smothered in sweet blackberry chia jam, and finished off with indulgent whipped cream.

Hello, friends. ❤️

Just in time for Mother’s Day, I’m sharing a gloriously beautiful cake that looks stunning but is super simple to make.

If you search my site, you won’t find many cake recipes. Honestly, making cakes feel intimidating to me. Especially after I see all the amazing cakes all over social media. I’m more of a practical baker.

But every time I make my easy Coconut Flour Lemon Cake, it’s a huge hit. So I’m doing it again. A simple 2 layer cake loaded with whipped cream and a flavorful filling. Rave reviews so far from all of my people. I think you’re going to love it too.

child holding white cake stand with cake
hands holding white cake stand with cake

What we LOVE about this blackberry lemon poppy seed cake

❤️ the light + fluffy sponge… is made from a combination of a GF flour mix + almond flour. I used avocado oil instead of butter for a lighter texture. It’s so moist + flavorful. NOTE: this cake is not grain free, like many of my recipes.

❤️ bright lemon flavor… comes from the homemade dairy free “buttermilk” and lemon zest.

❤️ homemade blackberry jam… is so easy to make. And it pairs so nicely with the tangy lemon flavor. If you don’t want to make your own jam, you can always use your favorite store-bought jam.

❤️ whipped cream… is so much better than super sweet cake icing. Use coconut whipped cream to keep it dairy free.

❤️ so easy to make… I love a cake that looks fancy pants but is super simple to put together. Make your cake layers, make you jam, make your whipped cream, + assemble. No expert cake decorating skills necessary.

close up of lemon poppy seed cake
lemon poppy seed sliced open

How to make your own gluten free flour mix

I make my own gluten free flour mix because I find many of the store-bought ones are so heavy on the starchy flours. I have tons of flours to choose from in my pantry for making GF Sourdough Bread. Plus I’m not a big fan of xanthan gum. It can cause digestive upset for some folks.

My basic GF flour blend is:

  • 3/4 cup sorghum flour
  • 3/4 cup brown rice flour
  • 1/2 cup tapioca powder
  • 1/4 cup sweet rice flour

You can use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1:1 as well, if that’s what you have.  I haven’t tried King Arthur Gluten Free Blend or any of the other brands, but I’m guessing they will work just fine.

child holding cake

What I love most is the simplicity of this cake. There’s nothing better than fresh berries + cream, IMHO. My inner Scandinavian LOVES this cake. ??

And so did everyone else who taste-tested it for me. Our smallest human said it was the best cake I have EVER made. (even better than my Brownie Bottom Ice Cream Cake!) She has requested it for her next birthday. ?

So if you’re looking for a healthy, delicious cake to make for Mother’s Day, a birthday, or just to celebrate another day of life, this cake is it. It’s beautiful, it’s tasty, + it’s guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. Enjoy!

xx.

Katja

DID YOU MAKE THIS AND LOVE IT? I WANT TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS. SHARE THE LOVE ON INSTAGRAM AND TAG @savorylotus AND USE THE HASHTAG #savorylotus FOR A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED. FOLLOW SAVORY LOTUS ON PINTEREST AND FACEBOOK TO KEEP UP WITH LATEST CONTENT AND UPDATES.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Blackberry Lemon Poppy Seed Cake (gluten free)

  • Author: Katja Heino
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Gluten free blackberry lemon poppy seed cake with 2 moist layers of light + fluffy cake, sweet blackberry chia jam, and finished off with indulgent whipped cream. So easy to make. 


Ingredients

Scale

FOR BLACKBERRY CHIA JAM

  • 3 cups blackberries
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp + 1 tsp chia seeds (like this)

FOR BLACKBERRY LEMON POPPYSEED CAKE

  • 1 cup blackberries
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp dairy free milk (I used almond milk)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 and 1/4 cup gluten free flour mix (see note)
  • 3/4 cup super fine almond flour (I use THIS blanched brand)
  • 1 cup coconut sugar (like this)
  • 1 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup avocado oil (or your favorite oil)
  • zest from 2 lemons
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tbsp poppy seeds
  • whipped cream (about 1 and 1/2 cups heavy cream) OR coconut whipped cream (plus optional maple syrup or coconut sugar to sweeten)
  • fresh blackberries + lemon zest for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare blackberry chia jam by adding blackberries + maple syrup to small pot and cook on medium for 5 minutes until berries begin to break apart.  With a fork or immersion blender, mash berries and simmer for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in chia seeds, and place in fridge to thicken + cool.
  2. Preheat oven to 350’F.  Liberally grease two 9 inch cake pans and line bottoms with circle of parchment paper.  Set aside. 
  3. In a small bowl, combine dairy free milk + lemon juice and set aside to curdle to make “buttermilk.”
  4. Whisk together gluten free flour, almond flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, + salt.  Set aside.
  5. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, avocado oil, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Add in curdled milk mixture, dry flour mixture, and poppyseeds. Mix until just incorporated.  Do not over mix.  Gently fold in mashed blackberries.
  6. Divide cake batter evenly between prepared cake pans. Bake on middle rack of oven for 18-22 minutes, until golden + toothpick comes out clean in center. 
  7. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes then turn out onto cooling racks to cool completely.  Cake layers can be made ahead of time, covered + placed into fridge overnight. 
  8. To assemble cake, make whipped cream or coconut whipped cream.  Spread blackberry chia jam over the first cake layer.  Add an even layer of whipped cream + place second layer on top.  Spread the remaining blackberry jam over second layer and then top with remaining whipped cream.  Garnish with fresh blackberries + lemon zest.

Notes

This cake is best assembled right before serving.  Cake layers and blackberry jam can be made the day before and kept in fridge.  Whipped cream is always best served fresh. 

I make my own gluten free flour mix by combining 3/4 cup brown rice flour, 3/4 cup sorghum flour, 1/2 cup tapioca powder, + 1/4 cup sweet rice flour.  You can use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1:1 as well.  I haven’t tried King Arthur Gluten Free Blend or any of the other brands, but I’m guessing they will work just fine.

While I LOVE butter/ghee for baking, I use avocado oil for this recipe to create a lighter, fluffy texture. 

Feel free to add a bit of blackberry chia jam to the whipped cream to add color + flavor.

If you don’t want to make your own blackberry jam, you can use store-bought. 

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @savorylotus on Instagram and hashtag it #savorylotus

close up of lemon poppy seed cake on white stand

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Filed Under: Desserts Tagged With: blackberry, cake, gluten free cake, gluten free desserts, lemon poppy seed cake

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Harriet says

    April 25, 2021 at 8:41 pm

    I love how colourful and fresh this looks!

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      May 6, 2021 at 9:17 am

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi I’m Katja!

And this is how we do healthy in our family. Just REAL food. Simple. Easy. Gluten free. More about Savory Lotus

Follow Me on Instagram

🥕🥕 GLUTEN FREE CARROT CAKE MUFFINS 

🥕🥕 a moist + delicious version of traditional carrot cake but without the gluten, grains, or refined sugar • plus a dairy free option • perfect for healthy spring time snack or dessert 

🥕🥕 the flavor is spot on with warm cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg • carrots, raisins, and pecans bring in the classic carrot cake vibes • i added a bit of fresh grated ginger to kick things up a bit

🥕🥕 grab recipe link in  my bio 

https://savorylotus.com/carrot-cake-muffins-gluten-free-paleo/

Or search “savory lotus carrot cake muffins” in your fav search engine
i wish i had understood this 10 years ago at the b i wish i had understood this 10 years ago at the beginning of my healing journey 

healing, digestion, and rest are all parasympathetic processes • if the body is in a chronic stress state, these things do not happen 

chronic stress produces stress hormones that created physiological changes in the body (increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased blood sugar levels) • these changes take the focus away from digestion and repair 

reducing and eliminating the triggers that create constant stress on the body is crucial to being able to heal • because the body does not let go or heal when it doesn’t feel safe 

how to create safety in the body? —-> addressing life stress, woundings/traumas, underlying infections, toxicities (heavy metals, plastics, etc), nutritional deficiencies, environmental hazards like mold, and anything else that is constantly triggering the body to feel unsafe
💗 start with the basics • your well-being is 💗 start with the basics • your well-being is only as strong as the foundation you build it on 

💗 your mental and physical health is determined by the bed rock you have to lean on when “stress” happens 

💗 building resilience in the body and mind is how you navigate difficult situations 

💗 if you are not where you want to be in life, in health, in mindset... consider going back to the basics 

💗 the basics:

- the food you eat 
- the water you drink 
- your quality of sleep
- your daily movement
- your daily mindset
- your level of stress
- the quality of your breath 
- your drainage pathways 
- the people you surround yourself with 

💗 absolutely no judgement here • we are all in different seasons of life • just a loving reminder that a strong foundation is necessary to build upon
CHILI LIME CHICKEN BURGERS you won’t even miss CHILI LIME CHICKEN BURGERS

you won’t even miss the bun with these super easy, healthy, and full of flavor chili lime chicken burgers 

juicy and zesty• simple to make • easily meal prepped and frozen for later use

and i HIGHLY recommend serving them with sweet potato fries 

grab recipe link in  my bio 

https://savorylotus.com/chili-lime-chicken-burgers-gluten-free-paleo-and-whole30/

Or search “savory lotus chili lime chicken burgers” in your fav search engine
Load More... Follow Me!

Follow Me on Pinterest

Don't Miss These!

  • Easy Gluten Free Cornbread
  • Crustless Garden Vegetable Quiche (gluten free + dairy free)
  • Simple Coconut Flour Cake (gluten free, grain free, nut free, paleo) | savorylotus.com Simple Coconut Flour Cake (gluten and grain free, paleo)
  • dry heels, cracked heels, how to heal, DIY Easy Home Remedy for Dry Cracked Heels

Clean Swaps

Clean Swaps

My Cookbook!

My Cookbook!

Footer

Get More Recipes on Pinterest

Visit Savory Lotus' profile on Pinterest.

Get More Recipes on Facebook

The Savory Lotus on Facebook

Stay Connected

Copyright © 2023 Savory Lotus    ·    Affiliate Disclosure     Disclaimer     Privacy Policy     Terms of Service