Raw chocolate cake


Ingredients
  • 300 g pecan nuts
  • 150 g medjool dates
  • 150 g dried figs
  • 3 tablespoons raw honey
  • 5 tablespoons raw cacao powder , (see note)
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
BASE
  • 60 g cacao butter , (see note)
  • 150 g hazelnuts
  • 3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
  • 1½ tablespoons raw honey
ICING
  • 200 g coconut oil
  • 120 g cacao powder
  • 2 teaspoons raw dark agave nectar , (see note)
  • 2 tablespoons bee pollen , optional


Method
  1. Line a 20cm springform cake tin with greaseproof paper.
  2. To make the base, shave the cacao butter very finely into a small bowl, then place in a large bowl of hot water and allow to melt (it melts at about 34ºC, so is still considered raw).
  3. Blitz the hazelnuts in a food processor until very fine, combine with the other base ingredients and press into the tin. Chill while you make the filling.
  4. Blitz the pecan nuts until very fine, then add the remaining ingredients (remember to destone the dates) and blitz until everything comes together. Press into the tin and chill for at least 3 hours.
  5. Combine the icing ingredients and chill for about 20 minutes to set a little, stirring once or twice.
  6. Run a round-bladed knife around the edge of the cake and remove from the tin. Spread the icing on the cake with a palette knife and dust with the bee pollen (if using).