Last updated on December 24th, 2022 at 04:43 pm
This raw cake is a revelation. Gluten-free, processed sugar-free, dairy-free, nut-free and vegan, this gorgeous dessert is gooey, rich and the perfect treat to make for the ones you love.
Why We Love This Raw Chocolate Cake
This cake is rich, wholesome and completely decadent. Besides being totally yummy, this cake is:
- bake-free - turn off that oven, you won't need it today
- naturally gluten-free
- flourless
- nut-free
- vegan
- so easy! and
- so delicious
I am not kidding when I said this cake is a complete revelation to me. I have seen many beautiful raw cake recipes around but more often than not they include many, many nuts. I love nuts, nuts are great but they can be expensive and in some schools, a no-no. I wanted to create a cake the Elf could take to school to share or one I could make on a semi-regular basis without taking out a mortgage.
Sunflower Seeds
Enter the sunflower seed. Sunflower seeds soaked and blended combined with dried fruits, raw cocoa and a few choice ingredients and this Loved Up Raw Chocolate Cake is ready to share the love. Utterly decadent, rich and gooey I defy anyone to suspect the healthiness lying within. To make it extra gooey-good, I recommend making this recipe the night before and leaving it and the ganache to marry perfectly overnight.
A Word on the Ganache
I made one from coconut milk, raw cocoa and maple syrup that worked it's magic over a stove, so not strictly raw but ridiculously good. However, an avocado chocolate frosting or raw chocolate ganache like this one from Nouveau Raw will do the trick nicely too. Or you could simply leave the cake, which is raw, in all its naked glory.
Recipe Note
Another quick recipe note, I used mesquite, a "superfood" in this recipe for its gorgeous caramel flavour but you could add more raw cocoa or perhaps maca root powder. Having said that, mesquite is not expensive, is gluten-free and is a good source of fibre, calcium and iron as well as protein. Did I mention the caramel flavour?
If you are a lover of all things chocolate or simply a lover of love, try this Loved Up Raw Chocolate Cake. Full of wholesome goodness and chocolate decadence it is the ultimate kitchen sonnet. Enjoy, xx.
More Things Chocolate:
Decadent Chocolate Brownie Tiramisu Two Ways
The Best Classic Vegan Chocolate Cake
Peppermint Chocolate Vegan Mousse
Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Beetroot Cakes
Nut-Free Raw Cake
Ingredients
For the cake
- 2 cups / 300g raw sunflower seeds
- ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 150 grams dried figs around 10 figs, roughly chopped
- 150 grams medjool dates around 9 dates, pip removed and flesh roughly chopped
- ½ cup water
- ⅔ cup raw cocoa or cacao
- ½ teaspoon teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup mesquite powder (or maca powder)
- ¼ cup maple syrup
For the ganache
- ½ cup / 125ml dairy free cream I use Oatly
- 115 g dairy-free chocolate chips
- pinch saltt
Instructions
TO MAKE THE CAKE
- Put the sunflower seeds in a bowl and cover with warm water. Add the apple cider vinegar and leave for 2 hours.
- When soft, drain and rinse the seeds and put them in the food processor.
- Add ½ cup cold water and process until well combined and smooth.
- While continuing to process, add the figs and dates through the feed tube.
- Add raw cocoa or cacao and the mesquite and continue processing until it begins to come together. You may have to stop to break up the dried fruit.
- Finally, add the salt and the maple syrup and blend until the batter will stick when pinched between two fingers.
- Line a small springform round cake pan with baking paper.
- Spoon and press the cake "batter" in to the pan until compact and flat. Place in the fridge for around an hour.
TO MAKE THE GANACHE
- Place the chocolate into a heat-proof bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it begins to gently simmer. (you are looking for small bubbles around the outside of the pot, don't let it it boil) Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 2-3 minutes to gently soften the chocolate. Slowly stir until completely combined and chocolate has melted. Add a small pinch of salt and stir it through.
- Remove the cake from the fridge and remove it from the pan. Using a spoon or a small angled baking spatula cover the top of the cake in the ganache. Put back in the fridge overnight.
- Serve with either dusted cocoa, blueberries or caramel buckinis.
Linda says
Many thanks for sharing this delicious recipe. I've made other raw chocolate cakes but this one got my family asking for more. X
Amanda says
Thank you, Linda! That makes me so happy you guys enjoyed the cake. I love this one too, so rich and delicious. xx
May says
This recipe is amazing. I have family that are lactose intolerant, who can't eat gluten or nuts. It was just prefect everyone loved it. I am definitely making it again.
Amanda says
May, that’s fantastic news! Thanks so much for letting me know. Cooking for your family must be tricky! I’ve just done a gluten-free banana coconut pikelet recipe and you could try the black bean brownies too. I made them with sunflower seed meal. Thanks again. Have an awesome day. 🙂
Maja says
Hi, the recipe seems fabulous but is there any alternative to mesquite powder (or maca powder) among more common ingredients? Thank you!
Amanda says
Hi Maja,
I am so sorry for the delay - I replied to your question and then didn't post it. Whoops and apologies. You could replace the mesquite powder with a 1/4 cup more of the sunflower seeds plus another 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder. I hope it all works out! A.
Maja says
Hi Logan, thank you very much!