Southern Style Strawberry “Jello” Cake (Paleo, AIP, Egg-Free)

INGREDIENTS

4 tbsp

coconut oil

4 tbsp

palm shortening (sustainably sourced)

1 cup

unrefined sugar of choice (I like sucanat better than coconut sugar)

1/2 cup

applesauce

3 tsp

vanilla extract, depending on how strong a vanilla flavor you want (this one is alcohol-free for the AIP)

1 tsp

raw apple cider vinegar

1 cup

coconut flour, sifted (very important!)

2 tbsp

tapioca starch

2 tsp

baking soda

1/4 tsp

unrefined fine salt

1 tbsp

gelatin (get 10% off this grass-fed gelatin with my coupon code CURIOUS10)

2/3 cup

filtered water

2 cups

palm shortening (sustainably sourced)

to 1-1/2 cups unrefined sugar of choice (I like sucanat better than coconut sugar)

to 1-1/2 cups fresh strawberries, minced

1 1/2 tsp

vanilla extract

1 tbsp

water, as needed to thin frosting to appropriate consistency

optional: 2 Tbsp freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into a powder (for extra strawberry flavor and pink color)