Gluten-Free 'Love Cake'

The divine Scandi coffee cake

It was recently brought to my attention that this cake exists: a moist, chocolate sponge topped with a coffee-flavoured coconut layer. My partner had a slice at ScandiKitchen in London so he was the ideal person to try my GF version and confirm it was as rich and tender and satisfying as the OG. In Denmark the cake is called “den du ved nok kage”, which literally means “the cake you-know-what”. My understanding is that versions of this cake are made throughout Scandinavian homes, known by different names and using slightly different ingredients and methods. I think you’ll find my version serves it justice. It might even become your cake-you-know-what.

Overview

First, we’ll combine the cocoa powder with boiling water, then add the milk and xanthan gum (if using a blend without) and blend. Then we’ll cream the butter and sugar, add the eggs, add the cocoa/milk mixture and dry ingredients, then pour the cake into the tin and bake. Then we’ll let the cake cool, remove any doming, melt all the topping ingredients in a saucepan and pour it on top of the cake. Finally, we’ll cover it all with desiccated coconut and serve.