Raw Food, Part 3: Raspberry Ganache Fudge Cake
You are all going to LO-V-E this one. If this is the first time you dip your toe into the raw food waters, then let this recipe be the one you try. You will not believe how good this is. It’s from Ani Phyo’s new book, Ani’s Raw Food Desserts: 85 Easy, Delectable Sweets and Treats.
Think of the most fudgy, chocolaty, rich cake, covered in a delicious, dark ganache.
Are you thinking of it? It’s a nice thought, right? Now, think of all of the cream and chocolate, butter and sugar. Do you really want to eat those things? I’ve got to be honest, if you’re like me, you do! But you don’t want to feel the guilt after you do. You also most likely don’t want all of the empty calories and bad fats. Here is an excerpt from an interview with Ani Phyo, by way of Crazy Sexy Life:
“Let’s take my Raspberry Ganache Fudge Cake as an example. The cake is made with walnuts, considered a super food by the FDA for it’s high levels of omega-3. Walnuts provide amino acids, vitamins E, A, calcium, iron, and have been found to keep our blood cholesterol levels in check. Walnuts are mixed with raw cacao powder, which is defined as a superfood by the FDA for it’s high levels or antioxidants, which fight free radical damage, premature aging and illness. I use dates, a whole food fruit, to sweeten and to bind together the nuts and cacao powder into a flourless cake texture. Dates are full of fiber, potassium, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. All of the ingredients in my cake are good for you super foods.
On the other hand, the baked version uses bleached white flour that’s been stripped of any nutrient value. It’s sweetened with refined white sugar and empty calories, and uses eggs and butter, which contribute to high cholesterol levels. The baked version doesn’t offer much nutritional value.”
Plus, avocados are good for you. So you don’t have to feel one bit of guilt eating this icing!
I only had to make one substitution, and that was in the icing. I had just enough cacao to make the cake, and had to use regular cocoa for the icing. But the rest of this cake is completely raw. In the recipe, they don’t specify raw walnuts, but that’s what I used. If you don’t use raw, it’ll still be delicious, but technically not raw.
Do you remember that dark, rich chocolate cake covered in ganache that I asked you to think about? Guess what?! You can have that cake! And you can eat it without an ounce of guilt, because Ani’s version is packed with things that are good for you. But when you’re eating it, you may feel that “knee-jerk guilt” reaction like I did. Because it’s that good. I’m serious!
This recipe got eight thumbs up from the kids, and four more from my husband and I. I hope you’ll try it! You won’t be disappointed.
Oh! For easy serving, and no messy cake slicing, I made this recipe into eight cupcakes. Just divide the “batter” into about eight equal portions, and press into a cupcake pan. A little chill in the fridge (about 5 minutes), and a nudge with a knife, and they easily come out. And while we’re on the subject, when mixing this up in the food processor, let it go until you can’t see bits of the nuts anymore. You may see some of the walnut oil coming out, but just go with it, and press them into the pan, or into 2 cake layers. **For these photos, I stacked two cupcakes like a layer cake, with icing between. Find the recipe by clicking here! And in case you’re wondering, you can’t taste the dates, or the avocado.
This is the most decadent chocolate cake you’ll ever “uncook!”
Elle | Print Article | Share Article | Email Article | 9 Comments tagged Cake, NH, chocolate, cooking, cupcakes, dessert, fruit, new england, nuts, raw, recipe, snack
Reader Comments (9)
What an amazing recipe. I am glad the whole family loved it. Sounds like a winner. Your photos are gorgeous too! Yea for healthy desserts!
That looks PHENOMENAL! I'll have to give it a try with carob powder because of my allergy, but I'm sure it will still be amazing! Those raspberries look gorgeous too.
OH YES!
Geezus, my heart...my stomach! That looks amazing! I will definitely try once I'm done "eating down my fridge". :)
Great photos! I want to try this cake!
OH MY!!! ...and you say it is "healthy" too!
That looks sooooo yummy I will be trying it as soon as I get the ingredients. I like healthy desert that taste decadent!
WOW. Thank you so much for linking to the recipe, I'm going to make this later on this week. I can't wait. I love raw uncooking and raw desserts are always spectacular, so moist and delicious!
I just love to watch Ani's videos on youtube! She makes some tremendously delicious-looking raw recipes! I really wish I could just throw out the kitchen stove and put in a pantry loaded with ingredients for all of her dishes!