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

It's easy to fall into self-admiration after preparing, and maybe even creating, such an extraordinary no-bake cake like this. All you need is a handful of your favourite fruits, a bit of imagination, and a few free moments.

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 favour no-bake cakes, which fit perfectly with the summer atmosphere since they are served cold. One of my favourite 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, odourless 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

• 200 grams of your favourite nuts or a mix of nuts,
• 200 grams of dates,
• 60 grams of shredded coconut.

FRUIT LAYER

• 200 grams of blackberries,
• 450 grams of blueberries,
• 400 millilitres 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 sweetener to taste.
3. Heat the coconut milk, then dissolve the agar in it. Add the fruits 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.