Chocolate Cake For Breakfast

Super-Antioxidant Chocolate Beet Cake with Raspberry Cashew Cream Frosting

I never would have believed it, if I hadn't tried it for myself.

A cake that looks this delicious, and is raw, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, AND anti-oxidant rich!  How is this possible?

This cake is the answer to my prayers.  Seriously.  I love desserts, but most desserts don't love me.   I love this one, and this one loves me back!

I really did have a piece of this cake for breakfast this morning.  And why not?  Aside from being free of all the bad stuff, this cake is made from ingredients which contain several health-promoting actions:

BEETS -

Beet roots are a source of a unique mix of antioxidants.  They contain valuable nutrients that may help lower your blood pressure, fight cancer and inflammation, boost your stamina, and support detoxification.  Beets boost your body's production of nitric oxide, the master regulator of your cardiovascular system.  Looking for a healthy source of minerals such as potassium, iron, phosphorus, and calcium? Look no further - eat some beets!

Brazil nuts -

Brazil nuts are one of our richest and most reliable food sources of selenium, a trace mineral essential to immune and thyroid function.  In fact, one ounce of these nuts contains 774% of the Recommended Daily Allowance.  (Don't worry, you won't OD.  RDAs are notoriously low.) 

Coconut Flour -

Coconut flour contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), essential protective fats with noted anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.  MCTs have also been shown to boost the metabolism, making coconut flour suitable for weight loss diets.

A 100 gram serving of coconut flour contains a whopping 39 grams of fiber and 19.3 grams of protein, a combination that helps stabilize blood sugar levels.  You don't find that in a dessert everyday!

Cacao -

Raw cacao is the unprocessed version of cocoa.  In this form, its health benefits include weight loss (because of its high chromium and coumarin content), prevention of cavities (theobromine actually kills streptococci mutans,  one of the strains of bacteria that cause tooth decay) and regulation of blood sugar which is beneficial for diabetes (chromium can naturally regulate blood sugar).

Cacao is the highest whole food source of magnesium, a mineral many people of modern cultures are sadly deficient in. Magnesium relaxes muscles, improves peristalsis in the bowels and relaxes the heart and cardiovascular system.

Its antioxidants have been clinically proven to literally dissolve plaque built up in the arteries which helps in reversing heart disease.  How sweet is that!

Raspberries -

Aside from being wonderfully delicious, raspberries have a high concentration of ellagic acid, a phenolic compound that prevents cancer, thereby stopping the growth of cancer cells and eliminating the progress of some cancers.

Berry Radical Superfood -

Berry Radical Superfood is a delicious combination of 9 of the world's most potent, antioxidant super-foods.  One 3.5 gram teaspoon serving of Berry Radical contains the ORAC equivalent of that found in seven servings of fruits and vegetables!

ORAC, or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, is a standardized measurement of the total antioxidant power of a substance.  Antioxidant power is the ability to neutralize oxygen free radicals -- those nasty little things which are largely responsible for tissue damage.

OKAY.  Enough gibber-jabber.  I know you're dying for the recipe so here it is:

Cake Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups Brazil nuts
• 1/4 cup coconut nectar or honey
  
• 1 1/2 cups coconut flour
• 1 cup soft (or soaked and strained) dates
• 2 beets, grated (approximately 2 cups worth)
• 1 orange - zest only
• 1 cup cacao powder
• 1 1/2 tbsp. Berry Radical Antioxidant Superfood
  

Raspberry Cashew Cream:

• 1 cup soaked and strained cashews (at least 4 hours, but over night is even better)
  
• 1-2 tbsp. coconut nectar or honey
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
  
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 - 2 tbsp. almond milk

Garnish with any or all of the following:

• coconut flakes
• strawberries, raspberries, and/or blueberries
• crushed macadamias, almonds, or pistachios
• Berry Radical Antioxidant Superfood
• Edible flowers

Putting it all together:

1.  In food processor, process Brazil nuts until they form fine crumbs.  (Don't over-process or they will form a nut butter and you will not be happy.)

2.  Add remaining ingredients. Process until smooth and the mixture comes together easily.  If your food processor is small, you may need to do this in batches.  Almond milk or orange juice may be added if you find the mixture too dry.

3.  Press the mixture into a spring form cake pan and refrigerate while you make the frosting.

4.  In a high-speed blender, blend the cashews with the almond milk, vanilla, coconut nectar or honey, and coconut oil until mixture begins to take on a creamy texture. 

5.  Add raspberries to mixture and continue blending until ultra smooth and creamy.

6.  Spread the Raspberry Cashew Cream over the cake.   Refrigerate until frosting has set.  (The original recipe said " for at least 30 minutes", but I would allow a couple of hours to be on the safe side.) 

7. Decorate in a highly sophisticated and tasteful manner.

This cake is "medicine" disguised as a decadent dessert  so, ENJOY!

See,  you can have your cake and eat it, too!  Even for breakfast.