Name: Beetroot chocolate mud cakes
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 300 gm (2 cups) mixed macadamia nuts and Brazil nuts; 40 gm (¼ cup) dried currants or dried cranberries; 6 medjool dates, pitted; 80 ml (1/3 cup) maple syrup; 300 gm beetroot (2 large), coarsely grated, plus extra to serve; 200 gm desiccated coconut, plus extra to serve; 40 gm (1/3 cup) 100% raw cacao powder (see note); 45 gm (1/3 cup) carob powder (see note); 2 tbsp golden flaxseeds, coarsely crushed (see note); Scraped seeds of 1 vanilla bean; To serve: shaved dark chocolate; Chocolate icing; 2 avocados, coarsely chopped; 170 gm unfiltered honey; 60 gm (½ cup) 100% raw cacao powder; 2 tbsp coconut oil, softened; Scraped seeds of ½ vanilla bean

Ingredients

300 gm (2 cups) mixed macadamia nuts and Brazil nuts

40 gm (¼ cup) dried currants or dried cranberries

6 medjool dates, pitted

80 ml (1/3 cup) maple syrup

300 gm beetroot (2 large), coarsely grated, plus extra to serve

200 gm desiccated coconut, plus extra to serve

40 gm (1/3 cup) 100% raw cacao powder (see note)

45 gm (1/3 cup) carob powder (see note)

2 tbsp golden flaxseeds, coarsely crushed (see note)

Scraped seeds of 1 vanilla bean

To serve: shaved dark chocolate

Chocolate icing

2 avocados, coarsely chopped

170 gm unfiltered honey

60 gm (½ cup) 100% raw cacao powder

2 tbsp coconut oil, softened

Scraped seeds of ½ vanilla bean

Method

1.For mud cakes, line an oven tray with baking paper, top with eight 5cm-diameter cake rings and set aside. Process nuts in a food processor to fine crumbs. Add dried fruit and maple syrup and process until smooth. Add beetroot, coconut, cacao and carob powder, flaxseeds and vanilla seeds and blend until even in texture (add about 2 tbsp water if mixture is too dry). Press mixture into rings and place in the freezer until firm (40-50 minutes).

2.For chocolate icing, pulse ingredients and ½ tsp sea salt in a food processor until smooth.

3.Unmould cakes by sliding a knife around the inside. Spread icing over cakes with a small spatula and refrigerate until set (30-40 minutes).

4.To serve, garnish mud cakes with grated beetroot, a sprinkling of coconut and chocolate shavings.

Pete Evans

Styling by Deborah Kaloper