Chocolate Cake with Garbonzo Beans (Dairy, Gluten/Grain and Refined Sugar Free with sugar free option)

This chocolate is grain free, full of protein and very rich in chocolatey flavour.  It was a big hit at our Christmas dinner and looked great served with my Almond butter frosting.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups soaked and cooked garbonza beans (see below for soaking and cooking tips)
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
• 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup blended smooth prunes * (use another 1/2 water + 1/2 cup prunes and replace the honey)
• 1/2 teaspoon gluten free baking soda
• 1 teaspoon pure gluten free vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9 inch round cake pan.  I used a spring form pan which I felt worked very well.
2. With a hand blender or stand up blender, mix beans, eggs maple syrup and eggs until very smooth.
3. Add prunes, baking powder and vanilla and blend until completely mixed.
4. Pour into pan and bake for 45 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

*soak prunes in 1/2 cup water overnight or boil for 5 minutes then blend

Soaking and Cooking Beans 

*I generally cook extra beans and freeze the remaining.   The method below will create approximately 4-5 cups of beans.

Option 1-soaking then boiling (more environmental, slower)

1. In a large bowl add 2 cups dry beans, rinse with water and remove any poor looking beans.  Add 6 cups fresh cold water to cleaned beans.
2. Let soak for 6-8 hours on counter.
3. Rinse beans and place in a large pot.  Add 6 cups fresh water to the pot and bring to a boil.  Tilting the lid a little let the beans simmer for 1 -2 hours depending on the bean.

Option 2- boiling then boiling again (uses more electricity, quicker)

1. In a large pot add 2 cups dry beans, rinse with water and remove any poor looking beans. 
2. Add 7 cups fresh water to cleaned pot and bring to a boil, turn off and let sit for 1 hour  
3. Rinse beans  again and add 6 cups fresh water to the pot and bring to a boil.  Tilting the lid a little let the beans simmer for 1 -2 hours depending on the bean.