You may be surprised at how easy it is to bake without flour. This delicious tart is just one example of flourless baking that is appropriate for GAPS and Paleo dieters. Of course this is a treat for a holiday or other special occasion.
This recipe is not overly sweet and has some wonderful pasture raised eggs that provide total nutrition. Using organic, pure, unsweetened cacao powder and cacao butter adds to the nutrition of this treat.
Pure Cacao is Processed at Low Temperatures
Cacao beans are fermented to alleviate bitterness, and processed at low temperatures for maximum nutrient retention. Once extracted from the pods, the beans are rinsed with water. The whole beans are peeled and cold-pressed to form a paste. The fiber is then extracted, in order to separate the solids from the rich oil, or cacao butter.
Cacao Has Nutrition
The main component of cacao is, of course the saturated fat. It contain three fatty acids that are present in approximately equal proportions: stearic, palmitic and oleic acid. These long chain fatty acids have been found to actually lower the LDL levels in the blood. (However, I don’t worry about cholesterol blood levels.
Cacao contains polyphenols with antioxidant properties that have many health benefits. A study published in Chemistry Central Journal, in February 2011, showed that cacao and chocolate have higher oxygen radical absorption capacity values (ORAC), total polyphenol content (TP (mg/g)), and total flavanol content (TF (mg/g) than many other antioxidants, foods and powders that are touted as “superfoods.” I wouldn’t necessarily call it a superfood (we know that real superfoods are things like raw milk, fish roe and organ meats), but at least it is an antioxidant — that is important.
Cacao also contains trace amounts of essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and pantothenic acid.
You can feel good about eating cacao as there are no sugars and the antioxidant value is high. This is soooo much better than eating a commercial chocolate, candy or dessert that contains chemical food additives, colors, sugars and HFCS. Enjoy this recipe guilt-free in moderation and when well tolerated!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of baking chocolate I like this one
- 2 medium eggs
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup cacao butter
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
- 1/2 cup honey (more or less to taste)
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup apricot jam or other "legal" jam (apricot jam)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF and prepare a 10" tart pan with parchment paper that is greased with coconut oil
- In a pot on the stove set on low (#2) gently melt the chocolate bar, cocoa butter and coconut oil
- In a food processor (or in a bowl) mix the eggs, honey and cocoa powder together until smooth
- Add the melted ingredients from the pot to the food processor or bowl and process until smooth
- Pour batter into the greased baking pan
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the batter and smooth with a spatula (or you can mix the chips into the batter before pouring)
- Bake at 325º F for about 24 – 26 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean
- The sides may puff up but they will settle if you pock some tiny holes with the toothpick
- Let cool completely in the pan
- When cool, carefully remove from tart pan by pressing the bottom up to release the sides – if the sides stick, use a butter knife to go around the pan and release
- Remove the bottom of the pan and slide the tart onto a cake platter
- Coat the top with the apricot jam or other topping or your choice
- Clean and dry the berries and arrange in a pleasing pattern
- Serve cold or room temperature
Equipment
- Food Processor (where to buy a food processor)
- Small pot (where to buy)
- Baking pan 9 x 13 (where to buy)
Like this recipe? Get many more and tons of information and instructions on using grain free flours in my fantastic kindle books. You don’t need a kindle to read them, as Amazon offers a FREE reader for all devices, on the sales page for each book.
Grab my kindle books here!
Grain Free Paleo Breads
Grain Free Paleo Snacks
Grain Free Paleo Desserts and Treats
These recipes are suitable for Paleo, SCD, GAPS and all grain free eaters.