Raw Chocolate Cake

A dear friend is about to celebrate his birthday and for health reasons has been following a strict vegan diet this year. He seldom gets sweet treats so my present to him is to take this delicious and easy-to-make raw vegan Chocolate cake as his present. This cake has no wheat, gluten, grains, refined sugars or dairy in it, so it definitely fits the bill while still feeling like a treat when you taste the rich creaminess of its texture.  

Ingredients: 

Crust: 
1&1/2 cup walnuts
2 cups dates (medjool if you can but if that are on the dry side soak in warm water for about 30 minutes)

Cake: 
250 grms of craw cashew nuts
2 heaped tablespoons of cacao powder
1 cup water
Juice of 1& 1/2 lemons
1 cup of dates
1/4 cup of melted coconut oil
2 tablespoons of Agave nectar
1 &1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Method: 

To make the crust : pulse the walnuts to a fine consistency in the food processor then add the dates and keep processing until it all sticks together . Line a spring-form pan ( 9 cm diameter) with clingfilm ( so you can get it off the base later) . Press crust mix into the pan and even out with your fingers or the bottom of a jam jar.
Place in the fridge to set while you make the cake filling.

To make the cake: Blend all ingredients until smooth, thick and creamy. ( like yoghurt) If the mix is too sloppy add more dates or nuts. If too dry, add more lemon juice or water.
Pour mixture over  your crust.
Cover pan with clingfilm and put in fridge to set over night or for at least 12 hours to set and thicken.

To serve:you can decorate with seeds, or dry toasted almonds flakes as I have done and serve with berries on the side.

Yum.