Craving a delectable dessert without the added sugar? Look no further! This simple and impressive chocolate cake recipe, courtesy of author and writer Dr. Joan Ransley, is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while leaving you feeling good.
This recipe is a unique twist on the classic chocolate cake, featuring ground almonds instead of flour and a delightful combination of prunes and dates for a rich and flavorful base. The absence of added sugar allows you to enjoy this treat guilt-free, while still indulging in the decadent taste of chocolate.
Perfect for serving four to six people, this cake is best enjoyed with a mid-morning cuppa or a delightful afternoon tea. The recipe is remarkably simple, taking only 15 minutes to prepare and a quick 25 minutes to bake, making it perfect for busy evenings or spontaneous dessert cravings.
Here’s what you’ll need:
* 175g soft dates, pitted
* 175g soft prunes, pitted
* One small orange, juice and zest
* 125g ground almonds
* Three eggs, beaten
* One tsp vanilla extract
* Three tbsp cocoa powder
* 50g unsalted butter
* 70g dark cooking chocolate (70 percent cocoa solids), roughly chopped
* To serve: 100g fresh raspberries
Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 175°C Fan/Gas mark 5.
2. Roughly chop the dates and prunes. Place them in a bowl together with the orange juice and zest, mixing well.
3. Transfer the dates and prunes to a food processor bowl. Add the ground almonds, eggs, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and butter. Process for one minute, then stop and scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
4. Add the roughly chopped dark chocolate. Process the mixture for another 30 seconds until well combined.
5. Scrape the mixture into a lined 17cm (7in) loose-bottom cake tin and bake for 25 minutes or until firm to the touch.
6. Allow the cake to cool slightly before removing it from the cake tin.
7. Serve your chocolate cake with a heap of fresh raspberries, créme fraiche, or Greek yoghurt. For a different flavor profile, try serving slices of this cake with a compote of dark cherries or a portion of defrosted frozen cherries.
Don’t be afraid to experiment:
This recipe also works beautifully with 250g of soft dates or any combination of dates and prunes.To keep your cake fresh, place it in an airtight tin or container and store in a cool place.
Now you have all the ingredients and instructions you need to create a truly delightful chocolate date and nut cake that will impress your loved ones and satisfy your sweet cravings. Enjoy!
