Gluten Free Elder Flower Cake

A fresh and tart cake to celebrate the solstice. Soaked in elder flower syrup and topped with fresh whipped cream.

Elder Flower Cake

In a large bowl add together…..

3/4 cup of white rice flour

1/4 cup of tapioca flour

1 cup of almond flour

1/2 cup of buckwheat flour

1 tsp of baking powder

3/4 cup of sugar

Mix well and set aside

In a small bowl add together

2 eggs

3/4cup of milk

1/4 cup of oil or melted butter

3 TBSP of elder flour syrup (link here). Use recipe # 2.

Mix well until the eggs are well combined with the other liquids.

Add the two bowls together and mix until there are no lumps.

Line the bottom of a buttered loaf pan with a small rectangle of parchment paper.

Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes. Check at 45 minutes for cake doneness with a toothpick. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes.

Remove from pan and peel off the parchment paper. Place on a plate with a large lip. Using a wooden skewer, poke the top of the cake with several holes. Slowly pour 2 TBSP of syrup onto the top of the cake. Let it soak in. Repeat. Carefully remove from the plate and place the cake onto a decorative dish. Cool for 1 hour. Top with homemade freshly whipped cream (do not add sweetener). Serve immediately.

Sambucus nigra

Elder Latin Name: Sambucus. Family: Adoxa/Adoxaceae. Common names- there are “blue”, “black” and “red” elderberry subspecies. To avoid confusion and ensure safe/accurate ID and harvesting, it is best to use Latin names. Elder is a tall bush that drops its leaves in the fall. The leaf shape and color can vary between subspecies (long, lance shaped, and pointed or pinnately compound, and toothed) but in general are arranged oppositely on the 10-30 branches/canes. The small “white” flowers form a crowded cyme/cluster. They have a strong unpleasant smell and bloom sometime in the late spring. The small, ripe, smooth berries can be blue, black or red. They form dense clusters.

ALL elders contain two alkaloids that convert to cyanide ( a poison) when exposed to the acids in the human stomach. These toxic chemicals are found in the seed, root, branches, green stems, and leaves. BUT not the flowers or the RIPE fruit that surrounds the seed. There are several wild elder subspecies that Not everyone is in agreement about whether some are more toxic than others. To be safe I cultivate and only harvest from S. nigra and S. canadensis. Both are easy to find in nurseries.. You can also propagate elder from cuttings. I failed to get my new bushes to overwinter twice. But now that they are established they are almost invasive and have to be pruned every year. The Flowers are at their peak sometime in June. The berries will be ripe in late fall. The flowers are always edible especially if you remove their green stems. The berries may need special preparation such as cooking well and straining out their seeds. Elderberries must always been eaten when fully ripe!

There have been reports of people getting sick from eating the ripe dried berries (not cooked). Yet several of my teachers and the Botanical Safety Handbook mention no concern with using dried berries without cooking them first. I powder them and add them to honey. Many herbalists tincture the ripe berries (both fresh and dried) without cooking them first but do strain out the seeds. Very few people feel comfortable using other parts of the plant. Do your research and use your best judgement.

Elder berry and flowers encourage the body to release toxins through sweating, moving stagnant blood and urination. Elderberries contain constituents that prevent viruses from penetrating cells. Elder has been used since ancient times to treat fluid retention, colds, flu, hay fever, asthma, hot flashes and childhood infections. This plant is very useful for relieving a cough, opening the lungs, increasing oxygen saturation and breathing capacity. It has a long history of being used as a laxative, purgative, and organ tonic. It supports the nerves and digestive system. The berries are high in Vitamin C, and contain small amounts of iron and potassium. You will find them in syrups, jams, pies, and cobblers. Externally the flowers are used in skin and hair products such as salves, lotions, toners, and rinses. They have been used in eyewashes, gargles and compresses for headache, skin conditions, bruising, sunburn, and pain. They will lower a fever, relieve a sore throat, help with congestion. and clear heat as a tea or tincture. In recipes you can find them in salads, drinks, jelly, and baked goods.

Parts Used:Berries and flowers internally. Leaves externally.

Energetics:cool, bitter, sweet, dry 

Element:water

Spiritual/Emotional uses:for protection, prosperity, blessing and good luck. Often present at transitions like birth and death.

Contraindications:-dehydration. Only consume the flowers or cooked berries. Research Elder’s role in cytokine storms.

Published by blackbirdsbackyard

My backyard botanical pharmacy is located in Boulder Colorado. I began studying herbal medicinewhen I was 12 years old. In college I studied subjects like anthropology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, After graduation I decided to go to midwifery school. I attended births and had a small practice until I retired early in order to be a mother full time. I have always had an herb garden, gathered plants and made my own healing formulas with plants. Over the last 30 years there have been many teachers and I have attended dozens of workshops. I am one of those people who is always reading, studying and learning. In 2019 I was called to practice as an herbalist professionally, using "plant spirit medicine" and bio-energetic ( 5 element)healing techniques. I feel that there is a big need in the community for my skills and talents. I hope to inspire others to start their own backyard pharmacies as a solution to species extinction and the healthcare crisis in America. Healing has also become a spiritual practice and way for me to feel balanced and connected with nature. I consult with clients in person, teach classes (adults and kids), give tours of my garden and offer apprenticeships. Health, joy, meaning, and support are everyone's birthright.

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