Flourless Cake, Yummy and Good for You Too!
As everyone knows, I’ve been working very hard at losing weight while still enjoying gourmet foods. So I wanted to launch a series of articles of great foods that are also good for you. This recipe also works very well for those that are allergic to gluten or prefer not to eat gluten. There are people who believe that gluten is not a good part of a healthy diet and for some people it disturbs digestion and contributes to a variety of skin and other rare diseases and ailments. Gluten free items are becoming more popular and hopefully this recipe will help if you are shifting away from using Gluten. These recipes from Tabitha Hutton (her site is below, please check it out) just prove that you can eat great while not packing on the pounds and making healthy decisions. These recipes feature beans as a substitute for flour and other ingredients that normally make-up a cake. Beans is a very versatile fruit that can do a variety of things and I would like to hear interesting ways that you use beans yourself. Please leave comments below and Enjoy and remember the value of good food, good friends, and good conversation.
Healthy Flourless Cake
Makes a single 9″ layer cake, which can be halved and stacked for the taller cake you see here!
Ingredients:
1-15 ounce can of unseasoned black beans
OR 1 1/2 cup cooked beans, any color
5 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
6 tablespoons unsalted organic butter OR extra virgin coconut oil
3/4 cup erythritol plus 1/2 teaspoon pure stevia extract
OR 1/2 cup honey plus 1 teaspoon pure stevia extract
OR 1 1/4 cup Splenda (using Splenda alone here is not recommended)
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon water (omit if using honey)
Mint Chocolate variation:
2 teaspoons mint extract (in place of 2 teaspoons vanilla)
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9″ cake pan with extra virgin olive oil cooking spray, or just grease it with a thin layer of butter. Dust cocoa all over the inside of the pan, tapping to evenly distribute. Cut a round of parchment paper and line the bottom of the pan, then spray the parchment lightly.
Drain and rinse beans in a strainer or colander. Shake off excess water. Place beans, 3 of the eggs, vanilla, stevia (if using) and salt into blender. Blend on high until beans are completely liquefied. No lumps! Whisk together cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Beat butter with sweetener (erythritol or honey) until light and fluffy. Add remaining two eggs, beating for a minute after each addition. Pour bean batter into egg mixture and mix. Finally, stir in cocoa powder and water (if using), and beat the batter on high for one minute, until smooth. Scrape batter into pan and smooth the top. Grip pan firmly by the edges and rap it on the counter a few times to pop any air bubbles.
Bake for 40-45 minutes. Cake is done with the top is rounded and firm to the touch. After 10 minutes, turn out cake from pan, and flip over again on to a cooling rack. Let cool until cake reaches room temperature, then cover in plastic wrap or with cake dome (I use an overturned plastic chip bowl). For BEST flavor, let cake sit over night. I promise this cake will not have a hint of beaniness after letting it sit for eight hours! If you are stacking this cake, level the top with a long serrated knife, shaving off layers until it is flat and even. Frost immediately before serving
