--- title: "Celebration showstopper — try this chocolate and raspberry layer cake from ‘Natural Cakes’ by Giovanna Torrico" description: "Healthy cake? Count us in! ‘Natural Cakes’ is for novice and experienced bakers alike who are looking to move away from artificial food dyes and overprocessed sugars." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "BOOK RECIPE" author: "The Reading List" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/the-reading-list/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-05-17-celebration-showstopper-try-this-chocolate-and-raspberry-layer-cake-from-natural-cakes-by-giovanna-torrico/" published: "2024-05-17T07:00:14" updated: "2024-05-12T12:00:17" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 504 --- # Celebration showstopper — try this chocolate and raspberry layer cake from ‘Natural Cakes’ by Giovanna Torrico > Healthy cake? Count us in! ‘Natural Cakes’ is for novice and experienced bakers alike who are looking to move away from artificial food dyes and overprocessed sugars. By The Reading List · Published 17 May 2024, 09:00 SAST · Updated 12 May 2024, 14:00 SAST ## Key points - Natural Cakes by Giovanna Torrico is a delightful collection of over 70 recipes that prove you can have your cake and eat it too, with a focus on wholesome ingredients and mouthwatering flavours that will make even the most die-hard sugar enthusiasts rethink their dessert choices. - Natural Cakes by Giovanna Torrico celebrates a healthy diet with over 70 stunning recipes, proving that sweetness can be nutritious. - Author Giovanna Torrico emphasises that healthy eating doesn't mean cutting out sugar entirely, offering natural alternatives like coconut sugar and date syrup. - Recipes in the book feature natural food dyes like turmeric and beets for vibrant colors, and ingredients like buckwheat and brown rice flour for texture. - Try the Chocolate and Raspberry Layer Cake recipe for a showstopper dessert, featuring avocado chocolate mousse and fresh raspberries. ## Content With over 70 stunning recipes, *Natural Cakes* celebrates a healthy diet, even for the sweetest things in life. Cakes are the utmost symbol of celebration and add sweetness to our lives beyond the sugar used to make them. Natural food dyes like turmeric and beets can lend supernatural hues to any batter or frosting. Buckwheat and brown rice flour give nuttiness and texture. And sweeteners like coconut sugar and date syrup add depth of flavour. As author Giovanna Torrico points out, healthy doesn't need to mean cutting out sugar completely, nor does it need to be lacklustre. **\*\*\*** #### **Chocolate and raspberry layer cake** This is the perfect birthday or celebration cake and it is really simple to make. Soft chocolate sponge with avocado chocolate mousse and topped with fresh raspberries: it is a real showstopper cake to impress. *Prep / Cook time* *10 min. / 30 min.* *Serves: 10* #### **Ingredients** vegetable oil, for greasing 1 cup (160 g) rice flour ½ cup (85 g) cornstarch ²⁄³ cup (90 g) arrowroot 1½ teaspoons baking soda ²⁄³ cup (50 g) raw cacao powder ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon xanthan gum 1½ cups (250 g) coconut sugar ½ cup (120 ml) coconut oil 1¼ tablespoons apple cider vinegar Seeds from 1 vanilla bean #### **To decorate** 1½ recipes Chocolate Mousse (see below) 9 oz. (250 g) raspberries #### **Method** Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line two 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans with parchment paper. In a bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients. In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients together with two cups (500 ml) water, add to the flour mixture, and stir until combined. Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 30 minutes or until risen and firm to the touch. Leave to cool in the pans for 5 minutes and then turn onto a wire rack to cool completely. Sandwich the cakes together with half the Chocolate Mousse and raspberries. Spread the other half of the mousse on top and sides and top with the remaining raspberries. Cake will keep for 1–2 days in the refrigerator, stored in an airtight container. Allow to come up to room temperature before serving. #### **Avocado and chocolate mousse** *Makes: 12 oz. (340 g)* #### **Ingredients** 2 ripe avocados (240 g), peeled and pitted Pinch of salt 6 Medjool dates, pitted 5 teaspoons coconut sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¹⁄³ cup (90 ml) almond milk 2 tablespoons coconut oil ²⁄³ cup (60 g) raw cacao powder #### **Method** Place the avocados, salt, and dates in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Add the sugar with the vanilla, milk, oil, and cacao powder and blend again until completely combined, scraping down the sides occasionally. Taste and add more sugar, if necessary. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for three days. **DM** Natural Cakes *by*[*Giovanna Torrico*](https://www.delicious.com.au/people-events/people/giovanna-torrico/cakmebgy)*, is published by Hardie Grant (R475).* *Visit*[*The Reading List*](https://readinglist.click/)*for South African book news – including recipes! – daily.* [Media on Daily Maverick: "Election questions 2024"](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-05-17-celebration-showstopper-try-this-chocolate-and-raspberry-layer-cake-from-natural-cakes-by-giovanna-torrico/)