Chocolate Lava Cake
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~ raw, vegan, gluten-free ~
True decadence at its best… deep, dark, and chocolatey… Oh, don’t let the simplicity of this recipe trick you into thinking that it is just a hum-drum cake. I have yet to find a person who doesn’t just love it. This cake will leave chocoholics with a smile on their face and empty plates for you to wash.
Tasting deeply of chocolate, with dark, almost bitter notes that penetrate the whole bite is beautifully balanced with the refreshing taste of orange. Initially, I relied on the fresh oranges to bring in that brightness, but I have since started to add orange oil to the cake batter which brought it to a whole new level.
I don’t only want you to feel good when you eat this cake; I want you to feel good while you make this cake! That is where the orange oil comes into play. The sweet fragrance encourages positive emotions of peace and well-being.
So be sure to take some deep inhales when you remove the lid from the bottle. Don’t confuse this with orange extract; the oil is cold-pressed from the orange rind. I hope you enjoy this cake!
Ingredients:
Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups raw walnuts, soaked & dehydrated
- 8 Medjool dates, pitted
- 1/3 cup raw cacao powder
- 1/3 cup chocolate ganache (see recipe below)
- 1 Tbsp dried coconut, unsweetened
- 1 tsp orange extract or 10 drops orange oil
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch Himalayan pink salt
Chocolate ganache: yields 1 cup
- 3/4 cup maple syrup
- 3/4 cup raw cacao powder
- 1/3 cup virgin coconut oil, melted
- 1/8 tsp Himalayan pink salt
Preparation:
Cake:
- Place the walnuts and salt in the food processor fitted with the “S” blade and process until finely ground.
- Add the dates and process until the mixture begins to stick together.
- Add the cacao powder, vanilla, dried coconut, and chocolate ganache and process until it all well incorporated.
- Be creative – use different cake molds. Just press firmly into the mold and pop in the freezer. Once firm, remove from mold and decorate to your liking!
Chocolate ganache:
- Place all of the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
- If need be, stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the blender jar with a rubber spatula.
- The ganache will take on a glossy look when done blending.
- Pour the frosting over the cake allowing it to drip down the sides.
- Once you place the cake in the fridge, it will harden up, but at room temperature, it will get soft again.
- Decorate with seasonal fruit or eat as is.
- Store in a glass container in the fridge. It is great to not only use on cakes but also on cookies, as a dipping sauce for apples … oh come on, do I even have to offer ideas as to what to do with chocolate!
Using a heart shaped cake mold is optional but does add a beautiful touch.
Drizzle rich dark chocolate ganaches on top and add your favorite seasonal fruit in the center.
© AmieSue.com
Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, No Dehydration Required, Soy Free, Vegan
Ahhhh, so sweet a cake in a heart shape that’s a lovely heartfelt cake idea, thank you for sharing Amie-Sue ♥
Good morning Vicky,
I love using different shaped pans. :) Whenever I go into a kitchen store, I always gravitate to the pan section just to see whats new on the market. :) I am a sucker for kitchenware!! Have a blessed day, amie sue
Aloha Amy,
Do you think I can substitute walnuts with almonds?My husband is allergic to nuts,except peanuts and almonds:)
I’m truly enjoying your site and your creativeness with raw awesomeness!!!
Thank you so much!
Hello Natalia,
I am sorry to hear that your husband is allergic to so many other nuts. I haven’t tried it with almonds but I am sure it will be fine. The flavor will be a bit different but that doesn’t mean it won’t taste good. :) Taste test as you go! Keep me posted ok? Have a great evening. amie sue
Aloha Amie,
I would like to know if I can substitute walnuts with almonds.My husband is allergic to nuts except almonds and peanuts;)
I’m enjoying your site very much and trying some recipes,they all look so delicious!
Thank you
This is something that finally solved my cravings for chocolate:). I love it!!!
Oh that is great Daniela! Satisfies the cravings and good for you… who knew! hehe Have a wonderful day, amie sue
I’m not a huge fan of orange so I changed that out with some fresh raspberries
This thing is absolutely off the charts
thanks again Amy
Sounds perfect Constance. It is one of those recipes where you can always change up the flavor profile. :) Thank you for sharing. amie sue
I was hoping this would have a melted center. Like the chocolate cakes they warm up with a side of icecream and at the center there’s all this gooey chocolate that flows out. It’s normally warm though so I don’t know if it would be possible to recreate this raw.
Good evening Brigitte,
Yes, I do believe that it is totally possible to make a raw lava cake with a oozing center. :) Looks like another fun creation to do. Good night and many blessings, amie sue