Looking for a people-pleasing dessert you can bring to Christmas lunch? Nat’s nourishing lemon coconut protein cake is naturally gluten-free, made with wholefood ingredients and contributes towards your daily protein goals - the trifecta!
Zesty, moist and subtly sweet, this cake is simple to make and the perfect accompaniment for your next holiday gathering.
Make It a Ritual
As the aroma of lemon and coconut fills your kitchen, let this cake be more than a festive dessert - make it a ritual of connection.
Play your favourite holiday playlist, light a candle or some incense and prepare the cake with intention, knowing it’s something you’ll share with those you care about most.
Once baked, gather around with loved ones, whether it’s over a long Christmas lunch or afternoon tea. Sharing food with intention is one of the simplest, most meaningful ways we nourish not just our bodies, but also our relationships. This act of mindful togetherness supports gut health just as much as the cake itself.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup SANA Vanilla Protein
- 1 ½ cups almond meal
- ½ cup corn flour (or substitute with arrowroot for a grain-free version)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ⅓ cup raw or coconut sugar
- ⅓ cup desiccated coconut
- ½ cup coconut oil (melted)
- 3 eggs
- Rind of 1 lemon (finely grated)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Optional: A handful of fresh or frozen berries for garnish.
Method
- Preheat your oven to 170°C fan-forced (or 180°C conventional).
- Line a loaf tin or cake pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with coconut oil.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients: almond meal, corn flour, baking powder, sugar, desiccated coconut, and SANA Vanilla Protein.
- Make a well in the centre. Add in the eggs, melted coconut oil, lemon rind, and lemon juice.
- Stir gently until everything is just combined—don’t over-mix!
- Pour the batter into the prepared tin. Add raspberries if using.
- Bake for around 45 minutes or until golden and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Cool slightly before slicing. Enjoy warm or cold.
Mindful Moment
Before the day carries you away, take a quiet pause.
Sit with your cup of tea and a slice of lemon coconut protein cake. Close your eyes. Inhale deeply through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Feel your body soften.
Bring your awareness to the present moment - the warmth of your drink, the taste still lingering, the presence of loved ones near or in your heart. Let this moment be enough.
When we slow down and savour life’s simple pleasures, we give our nervous system permission to rest, our digestion space to thrive, and our hearts a chance to feel full.
Let this be your reminder: nourishment is not just what you eat, but how you live.