It is that time again! It's the Vegan Chopped Challenge, brought to you by the Post Punk Kitchen! The ingredients? Fresh Mango, Red Bunch Beets, Unsweetened Dried Coconut, and Crisp Rice Cereal.
This round is a dessert round, and the rules were changed just a little, allowing every contestant to use all the time they needed. No time limits. I took full advantage of that on this round. I needed all that time because I decided to try, not one new thing like a totally sane person may attempt in a challenge like this, but four new things, all in one day.
Years ago, when I was vegetarian and owned an ice cream maker, I was an ice cream making fool! I am now vegan and without an ice cream maker, so naturally I decided to make a vegan ice cream and a sorbet, without the assistance of a machine. I would recommend using an ice cream maker to make the Mango Lassi Ice Cream and the Balsamic Beet Sorbet, but if you don't have one, go right ahead and give it a shot- you may just need to thaw the cake a bit before eating it. They are both amazingly delicious (the cardamom in the mango lassi ice cream is absolutely dreamy!), regardless of how they are made.
Also in my vegetarian years, I attempted making a homemade caramel sauce, and to make a long story short, I ended up not only tossing the sauce but the pan I "cooked" it in. I researched and researched on this one, and after I got tired of reading about caramel sauce, I went in the kitchen and just started making it. It is incredible. I used maple sugar because I try not to use regular sugar, and the maple flavor, combined with the sea salt, makes this a super incredible sauce. I kind of want to put it on everything. The addition of rice crisps makes this crunchy layer a perfect addition to the cake.
The most surprising "first" of all: I've never baked anything with coconut. To be frank, coconut is not a flavor I care for. I decided to make a coconut cake, knowing full-well that I was going to dislike it, and make "disgusted" faces while trying it. When I took my first taste, I scrunched up my nose, expecting the cake to be nasty, but it was surprisingly scrumptious! I relaxed my face and took another taste, and I have to say, the cake is my favorite element of the dish.
I am quite pleased with the results from my day of experimentation. There are so many levels of sweet and salty flavors that make this gorgeous, elegant dessert a truly decadent treat. I am so excited to submit this as my entry for the Vegan Chopped Challenge!
SWEET & SALTY ICE CREAM LAYER CAKE
Please follow the specific instructions for each element of the cake (below), but for time management purposes, this is how the cake will be assembled.
Also, it should be noted that the caramel crunch layer will appear to be red because the sorbet will bleed a little. Also the coconut cake looks a tiny bit tough in the pictures because it is frozen. It is actually deliciously moist once it thaws a bit.
- Prepare the Coconut Pound Cake.
- Once the cake is in the oven, make the Blackberry Chia Spread.
- Once the spread is chilling in the refrigerator, begin preparation for the Mango Lassi Ice Cream.
- Once the Coconut Pound Cake has been cooled and the bottom layer sliced off, spread with Blackberry Chia Spread and freeze for about 15 minutes.
- Once the Mango Lassi Ice Cream is prepared, add that layer to the pan and return to the freezer.
- After you've prepared the Mango Lassi Ice Cream, begin preparations for the Balsamic Beet Sorbet.
- While the beets and balsamic syrup are cooling, prepare the Salted Maple Caramel Crunch Layer.
- While the Salted Maple Caramel is cooling, finish preparing the Balsamic Beet Sorbet.
- Once the Salted Maple Caramel is cool, add the crisp rice cereal and add the Salted Maple Caramel Crunch Layer to the pan and return to the freezer for about 30 minutes.
- Once the Balsamic Beet Sorbet is ready, add that layer to the pan and return to the freezer.
- Once the Balsamic Beet Sorbet layer is completely set, sprinkle with Pink Toasted Coconut.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy!
COCONUT POUND CAKE
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 2 Ener-G Eggs
- 1 very ripe banana, mashed
- 1/2 cup vegan plain yogurt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325. Line a 9 x 5 loaf pan with parchment paper, and lightly spray with vegetable oil. Prepare your Ener-G eggs and set aside.
- Beat butter at medium speed with a hand-mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add Ener-G eggs, banana, and yogurt, and beat until smooth
- Whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring between each addition. Mix until just combined. Stir in the coconut. Pour batter into your prepared loaf pan.
- Bake at 325 for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before removing from the pan (just lift the parchment paper up) and cooling on a rack. Once cool, transfer to the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes.
- Once chilled, remove from the refrigerator and, using a bread knife, slice lengthwise the bottom 3/4 inch layer from the cake. Line the loaf pan used to bake the cake with plastic wrap, with about 6 inches of wrap hanging off each end. Place the bottom layer slice into the pan, on top of the plastic wrap.
BLACKBERRY CHIA SPREAD
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh blackberries.
- 2 ½ T chia seeds
Instructions:
- Pour the blackberries into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until not
completely pureed. Add the chia seeds and pulse a couple more times. Pour into an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour, preferably longer. - After you’ve placed your bottom layer of cake into the pan, spread about ¼ - 1/3 cup of the blackberry chia spread evenly on top of the cake. Place in the freezer for about 15 minutes.
MANGO LASSI ICE CREAM
Ingredients:
- 2 cups pureed mango
- 1 ½ cups vegan plain yogurt
- ½ cup coconut milk (full fat)
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 tsp crushed cardamom seeds
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in a high-speed blender until very smooth. If you have an ice cream maker, pour into the machine and follow the your machine’s instructions. Once it is done churning, pour 2 cups into the pan, on top of the blackberry chia spread, and spread it out evenly. Return the cake to the freezer until set, about 2 hours.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, follow these instructions:
- Pour into a bowl and freeze for 30-45 minutes.
- Once chilled, remove from freezer and use a hand blender to whip the mixture for about 5 minutes, until creamy and “fluffy.” Scoop 2 cups into the loaf pan, on top of the blackberry chia jam layer. Spread it out evenly and return the cake to the freezer until set, about 2 hours. Any leftover mixture can be transferred to a container and frozen until ready to use.
- If not using for the cake, transfer to a container and freeze for 3-4 hours, or until solid.
SALTED MAPLE CARAMEL CRUNCH LAYER
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup maple sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- ¾ cup coconut milk (full fat)
- ¼ tsp sea salt
2/3 cup rice crisp cereal
Instructions:
- Pour maple sugar and water into a pot. Bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Lower to a simmer and let the water reduce by half. The water should be a dark brown. Keep whisking it and keep a close eye on it because it will foam up and overflow, if you are not careful.
- Gradually whisk in the coconut milk. Keep it at a simmer, whisking frequently, until the mixture has turned a medium/dark brown and has thickened significantly, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in the salt. Remove from heat and let cool.
Once it is cool, and the mango lassi ice cream has had a couple hours to set, mix 1/4 cup of the caramel with the rice crisps cereal. Spread the caramel crunch mixture on top of the mango lassi ice cream layer and return to the freezer for about 30 minutes. Unused caramel can be poured right into your mouthtransferred to an airtight container and refrigerated.
BALSAMIC BEET SORBET
Ingredients:
- 5 large red beets, peeled and quartered
- ¾ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 T lemon juice
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions:
Place the beets in a saucepan. Add water and bring to a boil. Boil until the beets are tender, about 20–40 minutes. Remove the beets and allow them to cool. Reserve the beet water.- Meanwhile, combine the balsamic vinegar and maple syrup in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and let it cook, stirring occasionally, until it reduces by 1/3, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
- In the bowl of a food processor, puree the beets.
Add the ¼ cup reserved beet water (DO NOT discard the rest of the beet water. It will be used for the Pink Toasted Coconut), balsamic syrup and the lemon juice and zest and process until smooth. If you have an ice cream maker, pour into the machine and follow the your machine’s instructions. Once it is done churning, pour 2 cups into the pan, on top of the caramel crunch layer, and spread it out evenly. Return to the freezer to let it freeze for 3-4 hours or overnight - If you don’t have an ice cream maker, follow these instructions:
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and freeze for 1 hour.
- Once chilled, use a hand mixer to whip it until it has a creamy texture. Scoop
2 cups into the loaf pan, on top of the salted caramel crunch layer. Return pan to the freezer and allow to freeze for about 1 hour. Remove from the freezer, fold the edges of the plastic wrap over the top to tightly seal and return to the freezer to let it freeze for 3-4 hours or overnight. Any unused sorbet can be transferred to an airtight container and frozen.
PINK TOASTED COCONUT
Ingredients:
- reserved beet water
- 1/2 cup dried unsweetened coconut (shreds or flakes)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 170. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pour the coconut into the bowl of a food processor. Add about 3 drops of the beet water to the coconut and pulse until mixed. Add more drops to increase the pinkish color. Once you've reached the desired color (I just wanted a pale pink), spread the coconut out on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, and then remove and let cool.
- Once the sorbet is completely frozen, remove from freezer, top with the Pink Toasted Coconut, slice and serve. If it is too frozen, you may need to let it thaw for about 5-10 minutes before you slice it. Enjoy!
To make the cylindrical portion (if desired): Choose a cylindrical cake form or cookie cutter. Cut a portion from the cake large enough fit the cake form/cookie cutter. Push the cake form/cookie cutter down, from the top, until you get all the way to the bottom. You will likely have to cut away pieces of the cake with a knife to fully maneuver it all the way to the bottom of the cake. If you are not super strong and have a lot of patience, you may need a very strong, patient husbandassistant to help with this.
Thank you again to Isa Chandra at the Post Punk Kitchen for providing this awesome challenge! Pushing myself to try things that I normally would never attempt is what made this round so rewarding and satisfying for me. I am so grateful for this opportunity!
What things are you hesitant to try in the kitchen?
All photos taken by Chris Miller
© Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (content and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Michelle
This is gorgeous! Well done....good luck!!!!!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Michelle! 🙂
Michelle
CONGRATS CONGRATS ....so happy for you!
keepinitkind
THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Richa@HobbyandMore
Ok.. this is ridiculousness. i think i am going to withdraw mine..
gosh, when are are you visiting seattle. i will feed you the first day but then you have to make me some of this! this is ridiculously amazing Kristi!
keepinitkind
I was thinking the same exact thing when I saw yours on FB (I haven't been over to check out the recipe yet, but soon I will!)! I can't get to Seattle soon enough! 🙂
Richa@HobbyandMore
congratulations!! seriously .. this cake is so pretty and so intricate at so many levels... how in the world did you manage to keep it that neat without the beet smears and such.. brilliant.. brilliant!
keepinitkind
Well, you didn't see what wasn't in the pictures, haha! My fingernails are still red. We had beet juice everywhere, and we had to keep putting it back in the freezer every time it started to "sweat" a little. It was definitely the hardest project I've ever done in the kitchen and Chris was in there, helping me with the logistics of it the whole time. I am so glad you like it- It means so much to receive praise from someone I so greatly admire!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Wow Kristy words cannot even describe how creative and amazing this is! The colours are amazing and the combination of flavours you combined is so intriguing! You deserve a win here my friend.
Even though I don't have an ice cream maker I'm totally bookmarking this.
Good luck 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you! If you make the ice creams, without an ice cream maker, follow your instincts and change the recipe if needed. You've made ice cream without a machine before so yours might be even better. My ice creams needed to thaw a bit before they were edible (and delicious), which is okay, just not as creamy as I'd hoped. 🙂
Caitlin
kristy- this is phenomenal! this is the most gorgeous ice cream cake i have ever seen and the photos are absolutely stunning. job well done!!
keepinitkind
Awww! I'm totally blushing right now! Thank you, Caitlin! 🙂
Caitlin
bah! i just saw! you won!!! you TOTALLY deserve it!
keepinitkind
Thank you! I am SO excited! 🙂
Ali Seiter
As the three previous comments have already stated, you've truly outdone yourself with this dessert. How on earth do you fathom these ridiculously creative recipes? I'd love to get a glimpse into your culinary imagination. Kudos, Kristy!
keepinitkind
Thank you so much, Ali! I'm so happy that you like it! Honestly, it was the only thing I could think up. It wasn't until I was done that I thought "Oh, maybe a fruit crisp or perhaps a tart..." 🙂
Sarina @ Earthgiven
That's amazing! The recipe is fabulous and the photos are gorgeous. Well done!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Sarina! You just put the biggest smile on my face! 🙂
Cadry
You have seriously outdone yourself. Amazing.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Cadry!
Sarah S.
This is just stunning, a definite winner. I am going to make that salted maple caramel sauce and put it on everything, starting with that mango lassi ice cream!
keepinitkind
The salted maple caramel sauce ended up on some vanilla ice cream at our house last night (We served the cake up to neighbors and had none left), and it was amazing!!! I hope you like it as much as we did!
Somer
Holy Freaking Crap!!! Kristy! That cake is the shiz! I can't believe you came up with such an ingenious combination. I'm totally gonna be watching for the PPK announcement of the winner (you)! I can't say I will ever have time to attempt this until the littles are all in school, but I HAVE to and WILL make elements of it! Xoxo! You amaze me!
veganfling
What a creative cake! I love how you combined all the challenge ingredients together. It looks beautiful!
keepinitkind
Thank you! 🙂
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy
Kristy!! what a stunning dish! the layers are so beautiful. and that flavor combination! wow!! so creative:) hope you've had a great Monday!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Caralyn! I hope you've had a great Monday as well! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Bex @ Vegan Sparkles
Boy oh BOY, there's nothing like jumping in the deep end! haha, four new things in one day and one of them an ingredient that you don't really like?? You are an inspiration to me to keep trying new things, even if they don't always work out (I've thrown away a few cooking pans too in my time). This cake looks sensational and filled with love. 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you, Bex! About halfway into it, I was starting to feel like I'd bitten off more than I could chew. I pushed through, though! I'm glad you like it. Thanks for spreading your sparkle! 🙂
Dina
interesting flavor combos! beautiful colors!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Dina! 🙂
Kamini
Congrats congrats congrats! You just blew the competition away! So fabulous. Checked your blog and even though I am a vegan, one line in your blog really resonated with me. It was this one "until I woke up one day and saw animals for the incredible, sentient beings that they are, realized I couldn’t justify pleasing my palette when it causes so much pain to so many of these beings". If only everyone could understand this! Anyways, awesome cake. Don't think I have the skills to make it but am sure gonna try!
keepinitkind
You are so sweet! Thank you, Kamini! I truly love meeting like-minded individuals who love animals as much as I do! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your kind words with me. 🙂
Jackie @ Vegan Yack Attack!
Kristy! I'm so excited that you won! But, of course I shouldn't be surprised, you are super talented, lady!! 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you, Jackie! To hear that from someone as talented as yourself puts the biggest smile on my face. 🙂
jen
Hi, just dropping by with a marriage proposal, bc that looks divine.
keepinitkind
Bahahaha! I am quite flattered! Thank you! 🙂
Lysa
wow ! This cake looks so delicious...you are really a talented girl !! 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you, Lysa! I think the same of you! 🙂
Darcy Zimmerman
Is there a print version of this somewhere? I think I am going to give it a shot!
keepinitkind
As of right now, I don't have this site formatted to print out recipes, but I just emailed you a PDF copy. Good Luck! 🙂
Shira
Incredible Kristy! I am blown away by the beauty of this recipe - outstanding! I owe you a late CONGRATS too on your win for this one - so well deserved!! Gorgeous recipe and photos - not to mention brilliance! xo!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Shira! I put more work into this recipe than probably any other recipe I've ever made (and so did Chris- he was right along side me in the kitchen on this one). It is so satisfying and rewarding to see that people really like it! I hope you're having a fabulous day! Take care! xoxo
Richgail @AstigVegan
That's it. You win. If you don't, then there's something wrong with the contest because this dessert just nailed it! There's texture, flavor, and creativity. The photos look dreamy and delicious-just like what a (vegan) dessert should be. I'm quite intimidated to give this a try but I know I'm a fool if I don't.
keepinitkind
Thank you so much! Don't be intimidated- give a try, or just try parts of it at a time. 🙂 And there is nothing wrong with the contest- I totally won! Yay!
Hannah
This is SO beautifully and creative, I can't get over how well you used those crazy ingredients. I'm wishing I had known about the competition sooner, but I honestly don't think I could beat an entry like this.
keepinitkind
Thank you! But Hannah, I'm positive you would've come up with something even greater! Absolutely positive! 🙂
Theresa
I am drooling here! I can imagine how great this must taste. It reminds me of Napoleons.
I have a question though... why did you slice of the bottom portion of the cake?
keepinitkind
Thank you! I sliced the bottom of the cake because, when the cake is whole, the top is raised and uneven. I wanted a flat surface so that all of the layers would be flat and even. 🙂
It's Carmen ❤
This layer cake is to die for! It's absolutely decadent; it basically has me drooling. I wish I could munch on it right about now. The maple caramel sauce sounds delish.
❀ It's Carmen
keepinitkind
Thank you, Carmen! I wish you could munch on it right now too! And the maple caramel sauce is my favorite part. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Heather
WOW congrats on the Win- this is one of the most stunning vegan desserts i have ever seen and so freaking creative- amazing Kristy, truly amazing!
And the photos are beautiful too 🙂
....oh yes the ice cream maker, I too was a ice cream making fool before becoming a vegan - I still have yet to perfect the perfect vegan homemade ice cream...and the homemade caramel, I rememeber my first ever attempt was disasterous too 🙂
keepinitkind
Thanks Heather, though this cake doesn't even come close to some of the desserts you make! I am always in awe of your cakes, and I keep telling myself I need to pick up 6inch cake pans.
This experience had me thinking I need to pick up an ice cream maker and start playing around some more. Maybe by next summer... 🙂