The ultimate celebration cake (Gluten and dairy free)

This ultimate gluten and dairy free celebration cake combining 3 layers of vanilla sponge sandwiched together with vanilla buttercream and strawberry jam, topped with white chocolate covered strawberries, homemade meringue kisses and berries. If you are looking for a birthday or celebration cake, this is certainly the cake for you! If you do make this recipe I’d love to see, don’t forget to tag me in your photos over on social media.

Frequently asked questions

Which butter do you use for the the cake batter and buttercream?

I use the Stork ‘perfect for baking’ 250g gold packet butter which is naturally dairy free and available in most major UK supermarkets. If you can’t get hold of this butter, I always prefer to use a hard dairy free butter block instead of a soft spread for the cake batter and dairy free buttercream as soft spread can sometimes cause the mixture to curdle. Note: This is the only Stork butter that doesn’t contain milk so be careful to pick up the right packet.

Which flour do you use for the cake? 

For this recipe, and the majority of my bakes, I use the FREEE Gluten Free Self Raising Flour which works really well in gluten free baking.

Which cake tins do you use for this recipe?

For this recipe I use 3 20cm round springform cake tins.

Which dairy free white chocolate do you use for the chocolate coated strawberries? 

Most UK supermarkets sell a Free From white chocolate alternative. I personally find that the Sainsburys Free From white chocolate bar works and tastes best.

How long will this cake last?

This cake will last in an airtight container for up to 4 days however is always best served on the day or day after you make it.

Print Recipe

4.80 from 5 votes

The ultimate celebration cake

Prep Time35 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Meringue cooking time2 hours hrs

Total Time3 hours hrs

Servings: 16 servings

Ingredients

For the cake

• 300 g dairy free butter
• 300 g caster sugar
• 5 medium eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 300 g gluten free self raising flour
• 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your flour blend already contains this)

For the meringue kisses

• Handful of fresh raspberries
• 2 medium egg whites
• 120 g caster sugar

For the white chocolate coated strawberries

• 100 g dairy free white chocolate
• 10 strawberries

Buttercream

• 250 g dairy free butter block (See FAQs)
• 500 g icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon dairy free milk

Other ingredients

• Strawberry jam
• Fresh raspberries

Instructions

For the cake

• Preheat oven to 180°C and grease and line 3 20cm round springform cake tins.
• Whisk dairy free butter and caster sugar in a large bowl until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time and continue to whisk after each addition until combined.
• Add the vanilla extract and whisk again. Fold in the self-rising flour and xanthan gum. 
• Divide the mixture between the 3 lined baking tins and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden and a skewer comes out clean. Leave to cool completely while you make the meringue kisses.

For the meringue kisses

• Add the raspberries to a bowl and using a spoon, press down to form a puree. Press the puree through a sieve to form a raspberry liquid, discard the pips and set aside. 
• Preheat oven to 120°C and line a large baking tray with baking paper. 
• Add egg whites to a large clean bowl and using an electric whisk, whisk on low until the mixture starts to foam, turn to medium and whisk to stiff peaks. (Stiff peaks stand up straight when the electric whisk is lifted, you should be able to hold the bowl upside down with no mixture falling out).
• Add caster sugar 1 tablespoon at a time and continue to whisk with your electric whisk until the mixture is stiff and glossy. Adding too much sugar at once can cause the mixture to become runny. 
• Take a piping bag and spoon in the raspberry juice. Swirl the bag so the juice covers the entire inside of the bag. Spoon the meringue mixture into the bag. Pipe the meringue kisses onto the baking sheets and bake in the oven for around 1 hour, until crisp on the outside. Turn the oven off and leave them to stand with the door open for 1 hour.

For the white chocolate covered strawberries

• While the meringue cools in the oven make the white chocolate coated strawberries. Melt the white chocolate in a saucepan and then dip in the strawberries. Place on a baking sheet and set in the fridge for an hour.

For the buttercream

• Make the buttercream by beating butter with an electric whisk until soft. Gradually add icing sugar, continuing to beat for up to 5 minutes until combined and creamy. Add vanilla extract and dairy free milk and beat again. 

Assemble the cake

• Sandwich the 3 cake layers together with buttercream and jam and spread a layer of buttercream on the top.
• Decorate with meringue kisses, white chocolate coated strawberries and fresh raspberries.

I absolutely love seeing what you’ve created, so if you do make this recipe (or any other recipe from my website) don’t forget to tag me over on my social media pages @glutenfreealice and use the hashtag #glutenfreealice

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