No‑bake berry delight: Perfect summer cake without the heat

Baking cakes in hot weather, when it's scorching outside and the air in the kitchen is so thick you could cut it with a knife, is not a beloved activity. That’s why we tend to favor no-bake cakes, which, since they are served cold, fit perfectly with the summer atmosphere. One of my favorite recipes for such a dessert is a cake with blackberries and blueberries. The fruit layer is so fluffy that you can't help but fall in love with it.

It's not just the fruit layer that deserves praise because the base also sweeps all others off the board. First, it doesn’t require baking. And second, it has a flavor reminiscent of your favorite store-bought bars, yet you won't find any sugar or chocolate in it. Just grab the recipe and make this delicious no-bake cake.

The dessert contains agar, which is slowly but steadily entering our kitchens. Agar is derived from seaweed, appears as a white or yellowish-white, odorless powder, and is a vegan substitute for gelatin. Agar needs to be dissolved in a hot liquid. It sets faster than gelatin and does not need a cold environment—dishes with agar will set even at room temperature. Agar works well in dishes served in the heat because they don't "melt" when left in the sun. Therefore, if you plan to serve this no-bake cake with a fruit layer at a garden party, it’s safer to use agar.

Ingredients:

BASE

    
• 7 oz of your favorite nuts or a mix of nuts
• 7 oz of dates
• 2 oz of shredded coconut

FRUIT LAYER

        
• 7 oz of blackberries
• 16 oz of blueberries
• 14 oz of coconut milk
• 3 tablespoons of agar
• 2 tablespoons of any sweetener

Preparation:

        
1. Start by preparing the base. Blend the nuts, shredded coconut, and dates, then press the mixture into the bottom of a baking pan or springform pan. You can line the pan with parchment paper or plastic wrap beforehand.
2. Wash and dry the fruits, then blend them into a smooth mixture. Optionally, you can strain them through a sieve. Mix the prepared fruits with any sweeteners to taste.
3. Heat the coconut milk, then dissolve the agar in it. Add the fruit mixture to the milk mixture. Stir everything together and pour it over the prepared base.
4. Place the cake in the fridge to set.
5. Decorate with fruits, and sprinkle with cocoa powder or grated chocolate.