Mini Christmas Chocolate Almond Fruit Cakes

Author: Niki Webster

Small but perfectly formed, these super chocolatey vegan Christmas fruit cakes are a delicious festive indulgence.

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Mini Christmas Chocolate Almond Fruit Cakes

Small but perfectly formed, these super chocolatey vegan Christmas fruit cakes are a delicious festive indulgence.

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Total Time: 55 minutes

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 8

Rating:  

Total Time: 55 minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

Method

Ingredients

(Servings: 8)

  • 18.75 18.75 g coconut oil (melted)
  • 18.75 18.75 g cooked chestnuts
  • 25 25 g ground almonds
  • 0.125 0.125 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2.25 2.25 Medjool dates (pitted)
  • 25 25 g good quality dairy-free chocolate (melted)
  • 0.5 0.5 Tbsp raw cacao
  • 0.125 0.125 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 0.25 tsp almond essence
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 18.75 18.75 g coconut sugar (or sugar of choice)
  • 0.375 0.375 Tbsp mixed fruit
  • For the cranberry chia jam:
  • 12.5 12.5 g cranberries (fresh or frozen defrosted)
  • 0.125 0.125 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 0.125 0.125 Tbsp chia seeds
  • For the chocolate topping:
  • 25 25 g vegan chocolate
  • 7.5 7.5 ml almond milk
  • 0.125 0.125 Tbsp maple syrup
  • For the marzipan topping:
  • pre-made vegan marzipan

Method

To make the cakes:

  1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC/Gas Mark 4.
  2. Pop the coconut oil and chestnuts in your food processor and blitz for 1-2 minutes. Add the dates and blitz again, then the melted chocolate, ground almonds, cacao, baking powder, almond and vanilla essence, salt and coconut sugar and pulse again until everything is well combined. (Please note, the batter is super thick).
  3. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the mixed fruit.
  4. Divide the batter into two, 21cm (8 in) loose-bottomed cake tins. Wet your hands and press the mix into the sides.
  5. Bake for 25 minutes until the edges are getting a little brown. Allow to cool.

To make the cranberry jam:

  1. Add the cranberries, maple syrup and chia to a small saucepan.
  2. Heat gently until the cranberries have reduced down and the mix is sticky. Allow to cool.

To make the chocolate topping:

  1. Finely chop the chocolate and place into a small bowl.
  2. Gently heat the almond milk until boiling point, pour over finely chopped chocolate and stir until completely smooth. Stir in maple syrup.

To make the cakes:

  1. Cut discs out of the cake with small, round 5cm (2in) cake cutters.
  2. Spoon chia jam onto the top of one disc then pop another on top.
  3. Pour the melted chocolate over the top of each of the cakes, then gently smooth out the chocolate to drip over the edge.
  4. Alternatively, roll and cut some marzipan into shape and pop on top of the cakes.

This Christmas, break from tradition and serve your guests this incredible vegan sticky toffee Biscoff pudding!

Written by

Niki Webster

Niki Webster's online platform, Rebel Recipes, has expanded into a loyal community of food-based fans across the globe; its recipes have spilt over into two best-selling books: Rebel Recipes and Be More Vegan, and a Podcast entitled 'What the Focaccia'.

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