A raw chai cake with creamy lacuma, citrus and coconut.
Oh yes. This cake is quite delicious. The theme for this recipe was inspired by yoga. I have only just discovered myyogaonline.com thanks to a lovely friend, whose name is Nuran which means Light (I love that). I know, I know – what?! How could I not know about this, right? Well there I was, missing out on all this yogic-amazing-ness, because it is SO expensive in Sydney – when I could have been practicing at home all along for the tiniest fraction of the price! This has changed my world!
This also meant that I could get bendy in the lounge in my daggy trackies and not care because no one was there to see! So great. Anyway, I now have sore muscles and a bulging belly to completely negate all that good work after eating my share and then some of this cake.
Ayurvedic Chai spices are some of my absolute favourite things in the world so don’t be put off by the length of ingredients here because it is actually very simple to make.
The base can really be eaten on its own, just turn it into a slice or roll it into some balls – it is that tasty. I had some left over licorice root powder from the smoothie I made the other day, so that went in there. The fresh ginger gives it a nice zing.
I think adding some freshly ground star anise would take it to the next level – there is no better smell in the world than fresh star anise! I didn’t see them in my pantry till post-cake making unfortunately.
Yogi Cake Stars
Lacuma
Lacuma is a funny character. It tastes creamy and citrusy so I thought I’d try it out with the chai spices and it really works. A great alternative sweetener to use in desserts as it is low GI and easy on the blood sugar levels.
Ginger
Is a natural remedy for digestive ailments such as gas, indigestion and nausea. It is warming and stimulates circulation. It is also anti-inflammatory.
Cinnamon
Helps to regulate blood sugar levels. It is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, a carminative and eases gastrointestinal spasms, indigestion and flatulence.
Cardamom
Is one of the oldest spices in the world, and was even used to make perfumes in Egypt. Cardamom pods are beautiful to look at – and they too act as a carminative, calming upset tummies. This warming spice can also heat things up in the bedroom – it has a bit of a reputation as an aphrodisiac.
Now back to the yoga – I just wanted to say that I am really loving how it is complimenting my recently renewed but long abandoned spiritual practice – and it is extremely nourishing – just as much as good nutrition is – I feel like writing a post on this soon, so stay tuned if it interests you
Lx
📖Recipe
Yogi Cake
Ingredients
BASE:
- 1 cup pecans activated
- 1 cup coconut flakes
- 8 Medjool dates pitted
- ¼ cup lucuma powder
- ¼ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 1 tablespoon ginger freshly grated
- 2 teaspoons licorice root powder*
- A few good grinds of black pepper
- Zest of one orange
- *Please avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.
FILLING:
- 1½ cups cashews soaked 8 hours
- ½ cup freshly brewed chai tea liquid
- ½ cup nut milk
- 1/3 cup 100% pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup lucuma powder
- 1/3 cup coconut butter
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1 vanilla bean chopped
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon powder
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg powder
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- Zest of one orange
- ½ cup or more coconut flakes to decorate
Instructions
BASE:
- Whiz the pecans in a food processor till crumbly.
- Add the lucuma, ginger, licorice root powder, salt and pepper and blitz again till combined.
- Now add the dates, one at a time, you’ll start to get a nice dough.
- Add the coconut flakes and orange zest last for a quick final whiz.
- Press the mixture firmly into the base of an 8 inch cake tin lined with baking paper, use the back of a spoon to flatten the surface. Set aside.
- You could actually just roll this mixture into balls and call it a day if you didn’t want to go to the effort of making the whole cake – this base is delicious.
FILLING:
- If your coconut butter and oil is cold and hard, warm it gently over a bowl of hot water till it becomes soft/liquid.
- Blend everything except the orange zest well, till nice and creamy.
- Fold through the zest.
- Pour the mixture over the cake base and sprinkle liberally with coconut flakes – don’t skip this part – the crunchy texture on top adds to the wow factor.
- Set in the freezer for three hours, then transfer to the fridge to soften before serving.
Renard J Steele
=-O Ok I'm feeling brave like I could attempt to make one, but it won't look fancy. Just hoping I'm not the only one noshing it down..
The Whole Daily - with Alice N
Lauren that looks amazing. I can almost smell the spices. It's on the "to-make" list for sure.
Jo Darcy Leo
Yum! Where did you get the lacuma powder?
Paula Maher
This was really good will be making it again for sure , loved the ginger hit .
Grace Smail
Well that is just incredible! I know what I'm making this weekend! showstopper!
April Butt
http://naturalhealthdirect.com.au/health/herbal-remedies-72/bulk-herbs-135/herbal-powders-137/licorice-herbal-powder-1kg-227.html
April Butt
http://www.herbcottage.com.au/dried-licorice-root.html
Paula Maher
Where would I get licorice root powder from in Australia?
Chloé Sucrée
Mariah Moon oh oks, thank you! But I buy coconut butter...but dont find coconut oil....how do you do it? you do it or buy it? because if it is big quantities I can do it by my own...
Gluten-Free Cat
Oh, it's gorgeous! I've been hearing about Lacuma for a while now and just picked up a package of it yesterday. I can't wait to experiment with it. Looks like I'm ready to try out this cake! Thanks for a great recipe!
Clémence Moulaert
Wow, that looks amazing!
Heather Vee
this looks flippin' awesome!
Mariah Moon
Coconut Oil is the Fat from the Coconut, coconut butter is the the flesh ground up, the 'oil' separates to the top when you make coconut butter, they taste different and have different consistencies
Chloé Sepulchre
Wooow think it might be my favourite cake ever! just a doubt: difference between coconut butter and coconut oil? Is the same right...one is hard and the other soft? Because in the recipe you put 1/3 of coconut butter and 1/3 of coconut oil? thank uuuu!
Amy Lyons
Love this cake! I just got some Lucuma powder and was wondering what it would be good with. Wish I had a piece of this right now :)!