Recipe guidelines to help you get started with your own RAW dessert creations!
You might have heard of the raw food diet and its health benefits….increased energy, more youthful appearance, improved digestion, prevention of many diseases including heart diseases, cancer, and many others, excess weight loss, and the list goes on and on!
Raw food is food that is uncooked or is prepared below 116 degrees Fahrenheit, and maintains all of its essential nutrients and enzymes. Uncooked and unprocessed foods (fruits/vegetables, seeds, nuts, beans, grains) still contain their vital life force and when consumed this energy is passed on to us. Food that is alive makes us feel alive!
At Cucina Migrante we have a variety of raw culinary creations, but one of our guilty pleasures are our desserts. Raw desserts are full of goodness, and fairly easy to make with the right kitchen tools and some creativity.
Think of a raw dessert in layers, with the first or base layer being the crust, second layer a creamy mousse filling and third layer a topping. Below are some tips and tricks for each layer of the cake process, including what tools we use!
But before you begin, get creative! Think colors, flavors, nuts, fruits! Which combinations would you like to mix and eat together? Treat the guidelines as ideas on how to get started with your raw dessert creations.
This is how we do it!
Cake Base Layer or Crust
Mix dates and nuts (experiment with your favorite) for the crust of your cake. We love using organic Medjool dates as they have a sweet, moist, meaty and firm texture, and raw organic cashews. Soak the nuts overnight for easier digestion. Use a food processor to achieve the perfect gooey texture that is not too soft or sticky, and can be easily molded in a springform pan. Put in refrigerator until you prepare the rest. Use about 2 cups of nuts, 10 or so dates, maybe a drop of honey (we prefer to use organic raw honey) if you need the mixture more sticky, otherwise it’s sweet enough on its own.
Middle Cake Layer - Chocolate Mousse Filling
To create a raw chocolate mousse filling blend 1-2 avocados, 1 banana, raw cacao powder (3-4 tablespoons, adjust to your liking), cocoa butter (tiny bit just for fun, can be left out), coconut butter (tiny bit just for fun, can be left out), 1-2 tablespoons of coconut cream (adjust to your liking), about 1-2 tablespoons of raw cocoa nibs (can be left out, but adds a lovely crunch and rich chocolate buttery taste), half a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 2-3 spoons of honey or your favorite natural sweetener. We highly recommend using a Vitamix blender to get a very creamy mousse texture.
Fruit Topping - Berry puree
A fruity berry topping is the perfect addition to the rich nutty crust and chocolate filling. We recommend blending raspberries and strawberries with a drop of lemon juice and honey to create a zesty berry topping. Feel free to top with fresh fruit instead of blended! Top with coconut flakes or raw cocoa nibs or get creative with other toppings!
Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy your beautiful RAW creation! Delicious and healthy!
