From The One Peaceful World Cookbook by Alex Jack and Sachi Kato
Serves 8 (9-inch pie or tart pan)
Couscous makes a delicious, fluffy, mildly sweet cake. Couscous cake is a favorite at parties, holidays, and other special occasions.
Couscous Cake
1 1/2 cups apple juice
pinch of sea salt
3/4 cup whole wheat couscous
Peach Topping
1 1/2 cups apple juice
1 1/2 tablespoons agar-agar flakes
pinch of sea salt
1 tablespoon lemon zest
3 cups sliced fresh peaches or 16 ounces frozen peaches, thawed
To make the couscous cake:
- In a saucepan, combine apple juice and sea salt. Bring to a boil over medium flame. Pour couscous into the saucepan, stir, and cover the pan. Remove from flame and let sit for 10–15 minutes.
- Open the lid and stir couscous gently with a wooden spoon. Place couscous in a 9-inch pie or tart pan and press down evenly to half the height of the pan. Cover and let cool while you prepare the topping.
To make the peach topping:
- In a saucepan, combine apple juice, agar-agar flakes, and sea salt. Bring to a boil, reduce flame to low, and simmer for 4–5 minutes until agar-agar flakes are completely dissolved, stirring constantly. Remove from flame and add lemon zest.
- Place peaches on couscous cake, aligning them in rows. Pour liquid gently and evenly over peaches and couscous.
- Let cool to set. Chill in refrigerator if desired. Slice into 8 pieces and serve.
I’m not big on traditional baking so I can’t wait to try this!
Hope you enjoy it!
Question: How do you think this would be with pear slices instead of peaches?
We’ll check in with the authors and get their thoughts!
Dana, coauthor Sachi Kato has this feedback for you: “Yes, it’s nice to use pear as well as other seasonal fruits such as berries and apples for this recipe.”
Could you sub Quinoa to make this gluten free?
Have made this many many times and have shared the recipe. This cake is such a delight. Everyone I know has enjoyed it. I have switched up the type of fruit I put on the top depending on what’s in season. Love this simple and delicious recipe.