No. 1 : Quick Recipe
Chocolate Cake for YOUR Valentine
- 1 (15 OZ) Can Black Beans, Drained, Rinsed, Dried
- 3 Large Eggs + 4 Large Egg Whites
- 1 TB + 1 Tsp Vanilla
- ½ Tsp Sea Salt
- ¼ Cup + 2 TB Coconut Oil (Heat the oil until liquid, then measure)
- ½ Cup Honey
- ¼ Cup + 2 TB Cocoa Powder
- 2 Tsp Expresso Powder
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
- ½ Tsp Baking Soda
Step One Preheat oven to 325F. Line an 8” cake pan, (or springform pan), with parchment and spray the sides.
Step Two Puree the beans in a food processor. Add the 3 eggs, vanilla and salt. When smooth, add in the coconut oil and honey. Add in the egg whites and process again.
Step Three In a separate bowl, sift cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking soda and baking powder together. Add to the food processor and pulse for about 30 seconds until smooth. Scrape the bowl and then pulse again, making sure to incorporate all the ingredients.
Step Four Pour the batter into the cake pan and bake for about 35 minutes. The batter will be THIN! It will rise in the oven – cool completely before frosting.
Chocolate Frosting
- ¼ Cup Coconut Oil
- ½ Cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 – 3 TB Coconut Milk
- 1 TB Vanilla
- 1 – 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
Put all ingredients in the food processor, starting with 1 TB of milk and 1 cup powdered sugar, adding more as desired.
No. 2 : Kitchen Scoop
This recipe uses beans to replace some of the fat, and add better-for-you fiber and protein. CROSS MY HEART – No one will EVER guess:)
No. 3 : Clever Idea
I use the espresso powder in this cake to “amp up” the chocolate flavor. You can find expresso powder in any grocery store – or use instant powdered coffee.
No. 4 : Cheers!
Villa Jolanda Brachetto
Piedmont, Italy
About $15
When pairing wine with desserts, pick a wine as-sweet-as or sweeter than you dessert for a perfect pairing. Like many wines in Italy, Brachetto d’Acqui has a colorful story connected to it. Traditionally it was very popular with the most famous character in the Italian comedy of masks, “Giovanni of the Jug”. The character’s high spirits and bubbly personality were compared to the fragrant red Brachetto d’Acqui wine in the jug he carried around with him.