Wheat-free Mango Doggie Cake

It’s been a tough week for most of us, and I want to briefly share my grievances with the election.

I was really excited that the election was finally coming to an end Tuesday night because this particular election had felt everlasting, and very draining.  As soon as the AP called the winner, I was in shock.

I woke up Wednesday morning feeling numb, sick, confused, and feeling like someone in the family had passed away. I spent most of the day trying to make sense of it all, how could this have happened?

I tried to stay off social media because I got really fed up with the way some people were addressing the results telling me everything was going to be okay.

Truth is, some of us are really scared of what the future looks like for those of us who have a little more pep in our step, or a little more melanin in our skin.

It might not be okay.

For a few hours, I was taken back to a time when I used to be really ashamed of being brown growing up. I remember I used to scrub my skin so hard wishing it would strip the color right off and I can still remember getting in trouble for speaking Spanish in the playground. I’d go to bed wishing I’d wake up White because I didn’t want to seen as a dirty, uneducated, or poor Mexican.

Unfortunately, this might end up being the same reality for some kids growing up in this presidency and it truly breaks my heart.

I can always find comfort in my dogs whenever I’m feeling a little anxious or having an off day, so it was important for me to recognize them after this turbulent week.

Dogs don’t care whether you’re black, brown, gay or straight. They are always loyal and they’ll give you their unconditional love 100% of the time.

Nomi is a sassy little 2 year old, which is why she’s named after the ICONIC character from “Showgirls”, Nomi Malone. Mose is the opposite. He’s named after cousin Mose from The Office, and he’s an 8 year old that only cares about carbs and sunbathing.

If you have any pets at home, give them an extra tight squeeze tonight and if you have any friends who are women, POC, or belong to the LGBTQ++++++ community, lend an ear and take some time to ask them how they’re doing.

Wheat-Free Mango Doggie Cake
(Adapted from Wit & Vinegar)
Makes about 10-12 cakes, depending on size of the cookie cutter

For the Cake:

1  cup applesauce
1 cup 1/2 cup mango purée
2 large eggs
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 cups brown rice flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

For the Frosting:

3 tablespoons low-fat cream cheese
3 tablespoons mango purée

Start by preheating your oven to 350 and grease a 9×13″ pan and line it with parchment paper.

In a large bowl whisk together the applesauce, mango purée, eggs, olive oil, and honey. Slowly, add the flour, then sprinkle over the baking soda, and mix everything together until it’s combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, until lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool for about an hour or until completely cool then remove from the pan. Cut out shapes using your cookie cutters or biscuit cutters.

To make the frosting mix all the ingredients together until smooth, then frost the cakes with it.