Posts

Flourless Chocolate Torte

This torte is a true showstopper, making it a perfect treat to serve during holiday festivities. Inspired by one of my favorite bakeries, this torte is deliciously decadent and is easily the best chocolate dessert I’ve ever made. Inspired by the French dessert, la bête noire, it’s an instant favorite for chocolate lovers and those who enjoy rich flavors. I hope you enjoy this festive treat.

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but it cannot be made vegan. I have not attempted to make this recipe dairy-free, but it could be done using vegan butter and coconut cream.

Ingredients:

For the torte:

1 Cup water
¾ Cup sugar
10 T butter (a stick and two tablespoons extra)
18 ounces 60% dark chocolate
6 large eggs

 

For the chocolate ganache:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
8 ounces milk chocolate (or dark if you prefer)

 

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°.

Prepare a 10-inch springform pan or an 8×8 square pan by greasing it on all sides and on the bottom. Wrap the outside of the pan in 2 layers of aluminum foil. Locate a large baking pan with tall sides that you can fill with water during the baking process. Set these items aside.

In a small pot, bring your water to a boil. Add your sugar and simmer it over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Allow it to simmer for 5 minutes. Remove it from heat and set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Add your 18 ounces of dark chocolate and whisk the mixture until it is smooth. Whisk in your sugar syrup and remove it from heat.

Allow the chocolate mixture to cool, until you could touch the chocolate without hurting your finger. It may take 10 to 20 minutes. This step is important, as it will ensure that you don’t scramble your eggs in the next step.

After your chocolate mixture has cooled, whisk in your eggs. I recommend adding 2 eggs at a time. Whisk the batter until it is smooth.

Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Place the torte pan into the large baking pan and fill it with water. Fill it until the water reaches halfway up the sides of the torte pan.

Bake the torte for 45 to 50 minutes. The torte is ready when it does not wiggle when gently shaken.

Allow the torte to cool in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour before adding your ganache topping.

While your torte is cooling, you can make the ganache.

Add your heavy whipping cream to a small saucepan. Heat it over medium-high heat until it is very hot, but not boiling. Add your 8 ounces of chocolate and whisk to combine.

Pour the ganache on top of the torte and tap it gently on the table to make the coating even.

Allow the torte to cool in the refrigerator for another 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!

 

2-Ingredient Chocolate Truffles

This recipe comes from one of our front-end team members, Delaney. She loves creating affordable, plant-based meals for herself and is excited to share her creations for you to enjoy!

If you have a craving for rich chocolate, this is a must-try recipe. You only need 2 ingredients, your microwave and one bowl. No mess, no fuss and lots of yummy chocolate truffles. You can even customize them and coat them with whatever toppings you’d like. I used some sprinkles I had in my cabinet, along with some powdered sugar and cocoa powder to coat these. I’ve put some suggestions for coatings along with the recipe, but feel free to get creative with them!

This recipe calls for coconut cream, but heavy cream also works to make the chocolate ganache base for these truffles. I recommend using chocolate that’s between semi-sweet or 70% dark to achieve the right texture and firmness for these truffles. You can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container if you want to save some for later. They’ll stay fresh for 1 week, or up to 2 months if stored in the freezer.

Ingredients:

¼ cup of coconut cream (find it on the baking aisle)
1 cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
½ Tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Extras for Coating:
Cocoa Powder
Sprinkles
Powdered Sugar
Cinnamon Sugar
Chopped Nuts

Directions:

Scoop the coconut cream into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave the coconut cream on high for 1 to 2 minutes, or until it begins to boil. This will depend on the strength of your microwave, so keep an eye on your cream and adjust the time as needed.
Remove the bowl from the microwave and pour chocolate chips into the cream. Do not stir. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel for 5 minutes. This will allow the chocolate to melt and easily incorporate into the cream.
After 5 minutes, stir until the chocolate is incorporated with the cream and no chocolate lumps are visible.
Allow the ganache to chill in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. Don’t cover the ganache while it’s warm, as covering it will form condensation that can cause it to split.
Once chilled, use a small scoop or a spoon to roll the ganache into balls.
Coat the balls in your desired toppings or enjoy them plain!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Sweet Potato Cookies

Looking to eat healthier in 2019, but don’t want to give up eating all your favorite sweets? I give you a healthier chocolate peanut cookie recipe to help satisfy your sweet tooth! This recipe requires minimal ingredients and is easy to make.

Ingredients:

1 cup almond flour
½ cup sweet potato (bake a sweet potato, let cool, and then mash)
½ cup natural peanut butter
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
A handful of chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1.     Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
  2.     Place mixture into the fridge for 15-20 minutes to chill.
  3.     Preheat the oven to 350.
  4.     Scoop the cookies onto a baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes.
  5.     Let cool and ENJOY!

*Yields approximately 16 cookies

 

Guest Bloggers: James Madison Dietetics
Alexandra Balbontin, Taylor Coleman, Julia Danisewicz, Emily Salvaggio, and Taylor Singleton