Jul 3, 2014

Almond chocolate cake with strawberries


My almond pulp desserts are getting better and ... cheesier.













Almond chocolate cake with strawberries
by Gray Apron
time: 15 min preparation / 40 min baking / 1 hr cooling

ingredients
crust
120 g (4 oz) cookies, dry, crunchy type
60 g (4 Tablespoons) butter, melted and cooled
50 g (2 oz) dark chocolate, broken in pieces
1/4 cup raspberry preserves, optional
filling
300 g (11 oz) almond pulp, room temperature
1 1/4 cup yogurt, room temperature
4 Tablespoons sugar
1 vanilla bean, split in half, seeds removed
1 egg, room temperature
100 g - 150 g (5 - 7 oz) dark chocolate, broken in piecesI used 50% cocoa
strawberries, hulled and halved

instructions
Preheat oven to 170C/340F (fan forced function). Line a 17/27cm (7/11inch) glass baking dish with parchment paper. To line a baking dish: I cut a piece of paper large enough, crush it between my hands, soak it under water, squeeze the water out, shake (gently) the paper to open and line the dish.

Prepare crust. In a food processor with steel blades, blend cookies with chocolate till fine. Pour in melted butter and blend more till all covered in grease. Line the bottom of the form with the cookie mix, without pressing too hard. Put the dish in the oven for 15 minutes. Take it out, let it cool to touch. Spread preserves on top (optional). Meanwhile...

Melt chocolate over hot water (never allow water to boil).

Prepare filling. In the food processor (same one, no need to wash it), blend all the ingredients (minus chocolate and strawberries) till smooth (2-3 minutes, depending on the blender). 

Spread the filling over the baked crust. Using a tablespoon, drop melted chocolate on top. Using a small knife, swirl the chocolate into the almond mix. Place the dish into the hot oven for 40 minutes. Take it out, let it cool, arrange strawberries on top and serve. Keep refrigerated. 

NOTES
  • almond pulp is a leftover product of my home almond milk production;
  • I've been using it with passion in many recipes as cream cheese (or mascarpone, or ricotta) substitution;
  • here, for the first time, I didn't whip it, I blend it; a food processor or a blender will do the job;
  • the result was a more creamy texture...I mean, creamy, cheesy, smooth;
  • together with the cookie crust, melted chocolate and juicy strawberries - a true delight;
  • Happy 4th of July! I have two Americans living with me ... are they planning anything...?

27 comments:

  1. Delicious! That is one great treat.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. oh wow, it's strawberry season starting now and I'm going to give this a go. It sounds yummy.

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  3. Ela, this is so pretty! I love those freshly sliced strawberries on top :)

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  4. Ela, the presentation on this is stunning! Love the almond/chocolate/strawberry combo, delicious!

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  5. Looks yummy and easy to prepare. Two of my favorite reasons for making a dish. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. I'm going to have to make my own nut milk soon!

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  7. Almonds, chocolate and strawberries go so well together. This looks like a delicious dessert.

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  8. Lots of chocolate and nuts...the cake must have tasted divine, Ela.

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  9. Extraordinarily delicious Ela!

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  10. Wow, this cake looks stunning! I love all the fresh strawberries!

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  11. This looks wonderful Ela, what a great way to use up almond pulp.

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  12. What a thing of beauty! I love the unique flavor and texture combinations!

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  13. Amazing sounding, I have never used almond pulp before I am tempted to make my own almond milk to get some. A truly delicious sounding treat.

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  14. Anonymous7/05/2014

    Yummy cake

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  15. I've always wanted to make almond milk, but thought it was such a waste since I didn't know what to do with the pulp- now I can make it! Your cake looks so decadent! :)

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  16. This is so easy to make, we do not consume almond milk but this is really tempting to try. I loved your tip of the parchment paper, I have always found it very hard to line a pan with it :).

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  17. What a beautiful dessert! The topping of strawberries is so darned tempting!

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  18. Raspberry preserves on the crust! That sounds amazing! And with the strawberries and chocolate and vanilla bean...

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  19. I love anything with strawberries! Your recipe sounds wonderful :)

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  20. This looks great! I love the design you made with the strawberries :)

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  21. hmm chocolate and strawberries are a classic combo and those extra layer sound delicious

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  22. This is stunning. And with those beautiful strawberries...I don't know if it could look or taste more perfect.

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  23. This looks so decadent Ela, I love everything - almonds, chocolate AND strawberries!

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  24. Such a gorgeous cake..I absolutely adore the almond, chocolate and strawberry combination... Perfect!

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  25. My daughter has been wanting to make homemade almond milk, so I may need to save the almond pulp for this dessert. It looks amazing!

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  26. Woah... I'd be interested to see what something you feel isnt the best looks like, cause dang, this looks deliciously amazing. :) So pretty! Dont suppose there are any leftovers? :)

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  27. Oh my - I love everything going on in this cake! Anything with almonds and chocolate gets my vote!

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