Simple No Sugar, No Flour Strawberry Cake Recipe
There’s something wonderfully refreshing about a homemade strawberry cake. Juicy, sweet strawberries bring a natural brightness to desserts, making them a favorite in spring and summer baking. But what if you want to enjoy this delightful treat without refined sugar or flour? This simple no sugar, no flour strawberry cake recipe is the answer. It's naturally sweetened, gluten-free, and perfect for those following a low-carb, paleo, or clean-eating lifestyle.
This strawberry cake is tender, moist, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. With minimal ingredients and easy steps, it’s a breeze to make—whether you're baking for yourself, your family, or a gathering of health-conscious friends.
Why Make a No Sugar, No Flour Strawberry Cake?
Traditional strawberry cakes often rely on white flour and refined sugar. While delicious, these ingredients can spike blood sugar, contribute to inflammation, and aren’t suitable for people following gluten-free, low-carb, or diabetic-friendly diets.
This recipe swaps them out for more wholesome alternatives:
Almond flour: Adds moisture, a nutty flavor, and keeps the cake gluten-free and low in carbs.
Natural sweeteners: A touch of honey, maple syrup, mashed banana, or a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit or erythritol replaces refined sugar.
Fresh strawberries: Provide natural sweetness and juicy bursts of flavor.
Eggs: Give structure and help bind the ingredients.
Coconut oil or olive oil: Replaces butter for a dairy-free, heart-healthy fat option.
The result? A naturally sweet, tender strawberry cake that you can feel good about enjoying.
Ingredients (Serves 8)
Dry Ingredients:
2 cups almond flour
1 teaspoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
3 large eggs
1/3 cup pure maple syrup, honey, or sugar-free sweetener (adjust to taste)
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed ripe banana
1/4 cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Fruit:
1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
Optional: 4–5 extra strawberry slices for decorating the top
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening is evenly distributed.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, beat the eggs. Add the maple syrup (or preferred sweetener), applesauce (or banana), melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a spatula or a wooden spoon to gently fold everything together until just combined—avoid overmixing.
Step 5: Add the Strawberries
Gently fold in the diced strawberries. This helps keep the batter light while evenly distributing the berries.
Step 6: Pour into Pan and Decorate
Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Smooth the top and place the optional strawberry slices on top in a decorative pattern.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is lightly golden. Almond flour bakes differently than wheat flour, so keep an eye on it.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps it firm up and makes slicing easier.
Tips for Success
Don’t skip the parchment paper: Almond flour cakes are delicate and can stick to the pan.
Adjust sweetness to your preference: Taste your batter (it's safe before adding eggs) and adjust the sweetener to suit your needs. Strawberries vary in sweetness.
Use room-temperature eggs and oil: This prevents the coconut oil from solidifying when mixed with cold ingredients.
Don’t overmix: Almond flour batter needs gentle folding to keep the cake tender.
Simple Topping Ideas
This strawberry cake is lovely on its own, but you can add a simple, healthy topping:
Coconut whipped cream: Whip chilled canned coconut cream with a dash of vanilla.
Fresh berries: Serve slices with extra strawberries or a mix of fresh raspberries and blueberries.
Greek yogurt drizzle: Sweeten plain Greek yogurt with a touch of honey and drizzle over the top for tangy creaminess.
Health Benefits
1. Naturally Sweetened
The sweetness in this cake comes from fresh strawberries, a fruit-based sweetener, and perhaps a little banana or applesauce. These natural sweeteners provide vitamins and minerals instead of empty calories.
2. Gluten-Free and Grain-Free
Made with almond flour, this cake is suitable for those with gluten intolerance, celiac disease, or those following paleo or grain-free diets.
3. Packed with Fiber and Healthy Fats
Almond flour contributes protein, fiber, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. This combination slows the release of sugars into the bloodstream, helping maintain steady energy levels.
4. Rich in Antioxidants
Strawberries are packed with vitamin C and powerful antioxidants that fight inflammation and support skin and immune health.
5. Simple, Whole Ingredients
With no refined sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors, this cake is a clean, wholesome dessert option.
Variations to Try
Strawberry Lemon Cake
Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the batter. The citrus brightens the strawberry flavor beautifully.
Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Mix 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder into the almond flour and use a touch more sweetener to balance the cocoa. Fold in dark chocolate chips for a decadent twist.
Berry Blend Cake
Swap some of the strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a mixed berry version. Just be sure to keep the fruit amount around 1 cup to avoid excess moisture.
Vegan Version
Replace the eggs with flax eggs (3 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 9 tablespoons water, rested for 5 minutes). The cake will be a bit denser but still delicious.
Storing Your Strawberry Cake
Room Temperature: Keeps well in an airtight container for 1–2 days.
Refrigerator: Stays fresh for 4–5 days in a covered container.
Freezer: Wrap individual slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
A Simple Cake for Everyday Joy
There’s something satisfying about creating a cake from scratch with wholesome, simple ingredients. This no sugar, no flour strawberry cake fits effortlessly into a healthier lifestyle while delivering the comforting joy of homemade baking.
Whether served as a weekend treat, a picnic dessert, or a naturally sweet birthday cake, this strawberry cake proves that less really is more. Simple ingredients, a few easy steps, and the natural sweetness of fresh fruit come together to create something beautiful—and delicious.
Give this recipe a try, and enjoy the pleasure of a strawberry cake that nourishes your body and delights your taste buds. And don’t be surprised if your family asks for it again and again!
Further Reading
Summer Cakes, Scones, and Sunshine
https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Cakes-Scones-Sunshine-Easy-Bake-ebook/dp/B0FF5GD71W/
The Hot Sauce Garden
https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Sauce-Garden-Peppers-Healthy-ebook/dp/B0FFFMLRCP/
Refreshing Spinach Fruit Smoothies
https://www.amazon.com/Spinach-Smoothie-Recipes-Montego-Publishing-ebook/dp/B0CW18NVMH/
Great Cake Techniques & Tasty
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Techniques-Carrot-Recipes-Delicious-ebook/dp/B0F2STQCBH/