Gluten Free Vinarterta- My Grandma’s Recipe

​Gluten Free Vinarterta is an Icelandic layered cake. My Grandma would make it for Christmas and other celebrations and I looked forward to it every year!

What is Vinarterta?

Vinarterta is an Icelandic Celebration cake. It is made of flaky sugar cookie-like layers with a sweet prune filling. It is covered in icing glaze and sprinkles. This is how my family always made it, however, I have found that there are many different variations of this cake! Some use alcohol in the filling!

Is it a fruit cake? My family’s version of this cake has a delicious sweet prune filling, so I guess it could be called a fruit cake. Although I am not a fan of traditional fruit cakes, I love this one! Don’t let the word prunes dissuade you from trying this Icelandic Delicacy!
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My Grandma’s Recipe from our family cookbook: My Grandma did not make a gluten free version of Vinarterta so I adapted her recipe to suit my cravings!

This is my Grandma Eyjolena Aline Bjarnason Ivan and Me

I am so thankful that my Auntie Hazel sent me these recipes! She also told me of a little cheat if you are in a time crunch and really need some Gluten Free Vinarterta! You can substitute sugar cookie dough for the layers. I have made it using a gluten free sugar cookie mix and adding in a little almond extract and they turned out fantastically!

What ingredients do I need to make this gluten free Vinarterta?

If you are going to make the cheat version of the sugar cookie, you will need a package of gluten free sugar cookie mix. Follow the directions on the package and then skip to the filling section :)

To make them from scratch here are the ingredients:
1 1/2 Cups White Sugar
1 Cup Butter
3 Eggs
1/2 Cup Milk
1 Tsp Almond extract
1 Tsp Vanilla
5 Cups Gluten Free Flour Mix- such as Cup for Cup or similar.
4 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Pinch Salt

Here’s how to make the cookie layers:

1. Cream butter and sugar together with a mixer.
2. Add eggs. Mix.
3. Add Milk, Vanilla and Almond Extract. Mix.
4. Beat until smooth.
5. Add sifted dry ingredients mixing until well blended together.
6. Chill dough in a covered bowl in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight.
7. Divide dough into three portions and rollout on a gluten free floured surface.
8. Cut out circles the same size. (My Grandma made 5-7 layers)
9. Place circles on a silpat lined baking sheet.
10. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned. It should take about 15-20 minutes.
11. Cool.
12. Carefully remove from the baking sheet and begin to layer with the prune filling.
13. After the layers are complete, pour icing over the top and let it run down the sides.
14. Add sprinkles to the top.
15. Enjoy!

Here’s how to make the prune filling:
If you are making the gluten free Vinarterta using sugar cookies, use 1/2 of this recipe.

You will need:
2 lbs Prunes- pitted
2 1/2 Cups Sugar
Water- 2 Cups
1 TSP Cardamon
1 TSP Vanilla

1. Soak the prunes until they are soft.
2. Warm them in a pot with water until they are soft.
3. Place them in a food processor with Sugar, Vanilla and Cardamon as well as the liquid they were cooked in.
4. Puree until it is a smooth paste.
5. Spread filling between the cookie layers.

Here’s how to make the icing:

Make a simple icing out of confectioners sugar and water with almond extract in it.
2 Cups Confectioners Sugar
2 TBSP water
1 TSP Almond Extract

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl to form a smooth icing. It should not be too liquidy and not to thick.

If it is still thick, add 1/2 tsp of water at a time until it makes a nice glaze.

Now it’s time to put the gluten free vinarterta together!  I think this cake is actually better eaten the day after you make it! I love how the cookie layers soften into the sweet prune filling! It is perfect with coffee or tea IMO!

If you like this recipe you might also like these:

Gluten Free Boozy Cake Balls

Gluten Free Black Forrest Cake

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Pin me now make this gluten free vinarterta later!

Here’s the recipes for the gluten free vinarterta!Gluten Free VinartertaThe gluten free version of this Icelandic Celebration layered cake is so yummy!

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INGREDIENTS  

• 11/2 Cups White Sugar
• 1 Cup Butter
• 3 Eggs
• 1/2 Cup Milk
• 1 Tsp Almond Extract
• 1 Tsp Vanilla
• 5 Cups Gluten Free Cup for Cup Flour (or similar)
• 4 Tsp Baking Powder
• 1 Pinch Salt

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Here's how to make the cookie layers: 
  
• Cream butter and sugar together with a mixer. 
  
• Add eggs.
  
• Mix. 
  
• Add Milk, Vanilla and Almond Extract.
  
• Mix. 
  
• Beat until smooth. 
  
• Add sifted dry ingredients mixing until well blended together. 
  
• Chill dough in a covered bowl in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight. 
  
• Divide dough into three portions and rollout on a gluten free floured surface. 
  
• Cut out circles the same size. (My Grandma made 5-7 layers)
  
• Place circles on a silpat lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned. 
  
• It should take about 15-20 minutes. 
  
• Cool. 
  
• Carefully remove from the baking sheet and begin to layer with the prune filling. 
  
• After the layers are complete, pour icing over the top and let it run down the sides. 
  
• Add sprinkles to the top. 
  
• Enjoy!

Prune Filling for Vinarterta 


INGREDIENTS  

• 2 LBS Pitted Prunes
• 21/2 Cups Sugar
• 2 Cups Water
• 1 Tsp Cardamon
• 1 Tsp Vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS 

• If you are making the gluten free Vinarterta using sugar cookies, use 1/2 of this recipe to make 7 layers. 
  
• Soak the prunes until they are soft. 
  
• Warm them in a pot with water until they are soft. 
  
• Place them in a food processor with Sugar, Vanilla and Cardamon as well as the liquid they were cooked in. 
  
• Puree until it is a smooth paste. 
  
• Spread filling between the cookie layers.

Almond Flavored Confectioners Sugar Glaze 


INGREDIENTS  

• 2 Cups Confectioners Sugar
• 2 TBSP Water
• 1 TSP Almond Extract

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Make a simple icing out of confectioners sugar and water with almond extract in it.
  
• 2 Cups Confectioners Sugar2 TBSP water1 TSP Almond Extract. If it is still thick, add 1/2 tsp of water at a time until it makes a nice glaze.
  
• Mix all ingredients together in a bowl to form a smooth icing. It should not be too liquidy and not to thick.

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! It really brings back happy memories for me! I loved cooking with my Grandma as well as enjoying special treats from Iceland!


As Always,

Best Wishes for Gluten Free Dishes!

XO,

Michelle