Gluten-Free Flour Friday: Red Velvet Pancakes with Cashew Cream (Featuring Beets and Almond Meal)

Happy Valentine’s Day Lovelies! Today I’m bringing back Gluten-Free Flour Friday  with almond meal! These pancakes are delicious and healthy- no added red dye here (thank you beets)! Speaking of beets, if you’ve haven’t had any lately, I suggest buying and boiling some immediately. They are oh-so-good and filling and perfect for snacking or piled onto a salad. To make the beet puree mentioned in the recipe below, I simply blended one beet with 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk until smooth. If you need more detailed instructions, leave a comment below; I’m happy to elaborate!

One other thing to note, the batter for these pancakes is on the thin side; be sure to let the batter rest for about ten minutes after mixing the ingredients together to give the batter a chance to thicken.

Red Velvet Pancakes with Cashew Cream

serves 2

Pancakes

• 1/4 cup almond meal
• 1/4 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sucanat (can sub brown sugar)
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• dash of salt
• 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water- let rest for five minutes before using)
• 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 3 tbsp beet puree (see note above on how to make this puree)
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• cooking spray

1. Mix all dry ingredients (almond meal through salt) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk to combine.
2. In a separate bowl, combine flax egg through vanilla extract, whisking to combine.
3. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Let rest for ten minutes.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray.
5. If desired, place pancake mold onto skillet. Pour batter into mold (or onto skillet-about 3 tbsp of batter per pancake). Cook for 3-5 minutes until a few bubbles form. Flip, cook for 3 more minutes or until done.
6. Serve with cashew cream!

Cashew Cream

makes about 1 cup of cream

• 1 cup cashews (soaked for at least 4 hours, then discard liquid and rinse before using)
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1-2 tbsp unsweetened almond milk (depending on your preference for consistency- use more to thin cream out)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1. Combine all ingredients (be sure to soak cashews prior to use) in a high-speed blender.
2. Process until smooth. Top pancakes with cream!

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!!!

xoxo, Lauren