Nutty Rich Chocolate Cakes … rich, sweet, indulgent, flourless, gluten-free, refined sugar-free! For those who follow me & read my blog, you know how much I love doing chocolate desserts. Also individual small portions is something that appeals to me the most. The joy of baking, of taking pictures, of serving these petite little yummies is untold!I also love adding nuts to dessert. Other than adding a healthier angle to what you’re bringing to the table at the end of a meal, nuts add fabulous texture and taste. I think most of my experimenting works with chocolate. It’s the most rewarding, yet the behind the scenes often is more mess than meets the eye! And that’s part of the life of us home makers and bakers. I have a friend who runs cooking & baking classes from home. Once the day is done, she has dozens of kitchen towels etc headed for the washing machine, all in time for the next batch.I’m a little like that too as I bake practically everyday. Food stains are part and parcel of life in the kitchen, my biggest culprits being chocolate stains, followed only by berry, pomegranate, coffee and beet stains. Oh, did I forget turmeric/haldi and jamun? There you go! Get me started and my entire life in the kitchen ends up eventually gently whirring around clean up, or literally in the machine! Ok, just kidding, but I’m sure you get the drift. Talk about laundry goals!I get loads of queries via direct messages especially when I work with chocolate, tea or coffee. As you know, I do loads of baking and styling for that matter with chocolate and coffee, and while the final image might be very clean, those who know behind the scenes, know the mess these ingredients can cause.I also work a lot with tea brands and end up with loads of precious linen that is worse for use at the end of a shoot! While my final beauty images might look like life is a delicious breeze, I know that I need dependables that take care of the dirty work! For that, I use the ‘New & Improved Ariel‘ that removes tough stains in just one wash. How surprisingly good does that sound? Believe me, it’s true. Wearing a dirty apron or using stained linen is enough to drive me crazy.In an image, especially while styling for clients, even the smallest stain can be seen. In high key images or lighter frames, even more. For times like this the new Ariel has me covered. I absolutely love discovering products that work for me from brands I admire. I’m also a very very hands on person when it comes to doing my work. In the kitchen, I clear up the dishes and wash once I’m done. Once the kitchen is clean, I turn on the laundry. Nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing fresh, clean laundry air drying on the line. So therapeutic, so real. It also really connects to my audience who connect with me at a very real level. I love it when I hear of people I admire who assist in everyday household chores like grocery, dishes, laundry.I also really love the conversations that follow when I share a new product, a new recipe or a new idea! I am a firm believer of one thing. Share the goodness! And that leads me to this recipe for Nutty Rich Chocolate Cakes. After so much behind the scene mess which is always there, backbreaking at times, here’s what I was baking up.So these Nutty Rich Chocolate Cakes are petite chocolate nut bundts that are flourless, so basically gluten-free. They’re simple to make, and quite rich and deep chocolaty. Eat them as is, or take them up to the next level with a dark chocolate ganache topped with fresh organic rose petals or juicy red pomegranate pearls. You can well imagine the riot of colours they leave while prepping, but then again. With Ariel, best to just imagine how pretty & delicious life can be!
Nutty Rich Chocolate Cakes - petite chocolate nut bundts that are flourless, so basically gluten free. They're simple to make, and quite rich and deep chocolaty. Eat them as is, or take them up to the next level with a dark chocolate ganache topped with fresh organic rose petals or juicy red pomegranate pearls.
Preheat oven to 180C. Lightly grease 6 mini bundt tins, and dust them with cocoa powder.
Stir together dry ingredients in a bowl.
Reserve.
Melt the chocolate and butter in a large bowl over a double boiler, or in the microwave ( a minute at a time). Still until smooth.
Whisk in the eggs one by one, followed by the vanilla and Cointreau if using.
Gently fold in the dry mix.
Divide batter between the 6 mini bundt tins. ( I use silicon baking moulds. I find the release cleaner and easier)
Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, until.the tester comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes, then demold and cool completely.
Top with a dark chocolate ganache rosette each.
Dark Chocolate Ganache
Place cream and chocolate in a heat proof bowl and microwave a minute at a time, until melted. Don't over heat.
Stir well to mix, then allow to cool down, whisking a few times in the interim.
Once thick enough to pipe. give it another good whisk, then transfer to piping bag fitted with star nozzle.
