Chocolate Truffle Cake

<article> <section> <p align="justify">There’s nothing quite like a decadent chocolate cake to top off a great meal. But sweet treats are off-limits when you’re looking to eat healthy, right? </p> <p align="justify">Wrong! By making a few, smart ingredient swaps, you can turn a diet disaster into a low-carb, keto-friendly delight. Delicious, high-protein almonds and almond butter replace the flour. Then we’ll even sneak in a serving of veggies—sure, it’s still a bit of a splurge, but what’s life without a little cake? </p> <h2>Going Nuts</h2> <p align="justify">Beyond being incredibly delicious, almonds are nutrient-dense, loaded with vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats. Just a handful of almonds provides 20% of your recommended allowance of magnesium. Magnesium boosts your energy, helps you cope with stress, and aids in exercise recovery and sleep. Eating almonds with other foods, like veggies or dairy, can reduce oxidative stress—improving your body’s ability to resist disease and counteracting signs of aging! Almonds can even jumpstart your metabolism and help with weight loss. Who could ask more from their dessert? </p> <h2>Dark Side of the Bean</h2> <p align="justify">The darker the better when it comes to chocolate. Did you know that white chocolate has no actual cocoa content? Or that milk chocolate comes loaded with added sugars and bad fats—often alongside other additives and fillers like food-safe waxes? Meanwhile, dark chocolate packs a healthy punch with antioxidants, flavanols, vitamins, and minerals. Versions that are 85-95% cocoa contain more than 50% of your RDA for iron, copper, and manganese. Iron is a key component of hemoglobin, allowing your blood to transport oxygen more efficiently and helping you feel energized and active. Copper maintains your nervous system and boosts your immunity while playing a role in energy and metabolism. Last but not least, manganese helps reduce inflammation and supports bone health. </p> </section> <hr class="divider-15 divider-thick mx-auto"> <section class="recipe"> <h2 itemprop="name" align="center">Chocolate Truffle Cake</h2> <div class="prep"> <span> <meta itemprop="prepTime" content="PT1H">Prep Time: 1 hour</span> <span> <meta itemprop="cookTime" content="PT1H">Cooking Time: 1 hour</span> <span> <meta itemprop="recipeYield">Serves: 15 </span> </div> <h3>Ingredients:</h3> <b>Cake:</b> <ul class="ingredients no-bullet"> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">2 1/2 cups almond flour </li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">1 ¼ cup Swerve granulated sweetener</li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">1 cup raw cacao powder </li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">2 teaspoons baking powder</li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">1/2 teaspoon salt</li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">6 large eggs</li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">1/2 cup melted butter or ghee </li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">1 medium zucchini, pureed </li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">2/3 cup almond butter</li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">2 teaspoons vanilla extract</li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">1 teaspoon almond extract</li> </ul> <b>Frosting:</b> <ul class="ingredients no-bullet"> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">2 sticks unsalted butter, softened </li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">1 ½ cup Swerve Granulated Sweetener </li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">1 cup raw cacao powder </li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">2 teaspoons vanilla extract</li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">1 teaspoon almond extract</li> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">3/4 cup heavy whipping cream </li> </ul> <b>Toppings:</b> <ul class="ingredients no-bullet"> <li itemprop="recipeIngredient">2 tablespoons dark chocolate shavings (85-90% cocoa)</li> </ul> <hr class="divider-50 divider-medium"> <h3>Instructions:</h3> <ol itemprop="recipeInstructions"> <li><p align="justify">Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans with butter or cooking spray. </p></li> <li><p align="justify">Mix together the dry ingredients: almond flour, Swerve, cacao powder, baking powder, and salt.</p></li> <li><p align="justify">In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, butter or ghee, pureed zucchini, almond butter, vanilla, and almond extract until well-combined.</p></li> <li><p align="justify">Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix very well. </p></li> <li><p align="justify">Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. You may need to switch the pans top to bottom or front to back halfway through baking to cook evenly, depending on your oven.</p></li> <li><p align="justify">Allow the cakes to cool completely before removing from the pans.</p></li> <li><p align="justify">Meanwhile, prepare the ganache frosting. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and beat until fluffy. If the frosting seems too thick, add a dash more heavy cream until it reaches a spreadable consistency.</p></li> <li><p align="justify">To assemble the cake, put one layer on a stand and top with about 1 cup frosting. Spread evenly to cover the whole top of the cake.</p></li> <li><p align="justify">Place the second cake on top of the frosting layer.</p></li> <li><p align="justify">Top with the remaining frosting and smooth over the top and sides using an offset spatula or a butter knife.</p></li> <li><p align="justify">Optional: Fill a piping bag with ganache frosting and pipe stars or flowers to decorate the cake.</p></li> <li><p align="justify">Sprinkle with the chocolate shavings and serve.</p></li> </ol> </section> </article>