Epic Halloween Cake! (and contest winner!)

The moment you all have been waiting for is here! I finally made a giant epic cake thingy using 4 pounds of nuts, a crap load of chocolate, and a whole bunch of epicness! Sure it may not look like very much to the naked eye, especially if you bring into consideration that it looks about the size of a regular cake. Bring in the fact that its completely raw and I ate a most of it single handedly, and we have a whole new story.

This cake may be one of my greatest accomplishments yet! Though the pictures arn't exactly what I had desired, it still looked epic and tasted delicious! So pictures aside, i'm proud of this cake of epicness and no one will take that away from me. NO ONE!

Epic Halloween Cake

Cake Ingredients

2 c. Macadamia Nuts

2 c. Brazil Nuts

1/2 c. Flax Seed

1/2 c. Pumpkin Seed

3/4 c. Hemp Seed

2 c. Shredded Coconut

1/2 c. Coconut Oil

3/4 c. Agave

3/4 c. Dates

4 tbsp. Salt

-Blend together your nuts and seeds until it resembles a crumbly flour.

-Add the remaining ingredients and blend until a dough begins to form.

-Set aside.

Raspberry Cream Ingredients

1 c. Raspberries

1/2 c. Cashew Cream*

1/2 c. Agave

-Add everything into your blender and blend until smooth.

-Set aside.

Chocolate Frosting Ingredients

2 c. Raw Cacao Powder

1 c. Coconut Oil

1/2 c. Cashew Cream*

3/4 c. Agave

2 tsp. Salt

-Blend everything together until smooth.

-In round cake pan, begin assembling your cake. Put down a layer of the cake dough so that is covers the bottom and the edges.

-Put down a layer of the chocolate frosting and then a layer of raspberry cream. Then add another layer of dough and repeat. Keep doing this until you are out of raspberry cream, but make sure there is enough frosting to cover the cake's outside.

-Put the remaining dough down as a top layer. Then, coat the cake entirely with the remaining of your frosting. Add coconut shavings if you so desire.

-Put the cake in the freezer for about 10-20 minutes so the icing can set.

-Enjoy!

Yep, i'm proud of this recipe. It took me a while to come up with the recipe, but it was very much well worth it! So many combinations for something like this, though. A raw chocolate hazelnut spread instead of frosting, coconut instead of cashew cream. I guess I just love food in general!

Everyone i've had tried this told me they loved it. My mom said it was the best thing i've made yet and both of my brothers enjoyed a slice. Even my girlfriend, who usually isn't fond of my cooking, told me it tasted excellent. And for the record, i'm the only person even remotely vegan let alone raw who tried it. That should say something! I preferred the chocolate frosting though, while they enjoyed the cake itself a bit more.

Now that my dessert is out of the way, time to announce the winner of my raw dessert contest. And the winner of the Raw Sample Pack from NutsOnline.com iiiiiiiiiiis.....

pureglow*16

She was the only eligible contestant to actually put her own recipe in. She also both liked both myself and Nuts Online on twitter. Not to mention, my obsession with peanut butter may have helped her just a bit.

Congrats Pureglow*16. Be sure to email me your address and phone number at the626drew@gmail.com so i may send your prize right away!

And everyone, don't forget to check out her awesome recipe for Raw Reeses!

Whats your favorite Halloween candy?

-Andrew D. Morrison-

Dessert Roundup

This weekend has been insane! Tests, food, and epic times hanging out with a few friends. Epic people make for an epic time. Also, that contest i'm working on seems to be a bit of a hit, i'm glad to say. Looking forward to the epicness that is raw dessert!

So many awesome recipes have been submitted for my raw dessert contest. The rules were basically to send me a link, recipe, or picture of your favorite raw dessert. Here are my favorites so far:

Pure glow sent me a link to her version of "Reeces" Peanut Butter Cups. With chocolate and peanut butter being my two favorite things in the world and this being my favorite Halloween candy before my vegan times, of course a trip down memory lane always is a plus for me.

Vegan Sweettooth's Raw Brownies were also suggested. I've seen, read, and made a lot of brownie recipes in my life time and they may be my favorite raw recipe for when I don't have much time to make anything. Throw a few simple ingredients into a food processor and blend until its a doughey yumminess. Then freeze for a few minutes to let it set and you're done!

What caught my eye about her brownies, was her pictures. I swear, they look just like the baked kind! That, i've found, is very hard to pull off so kudos to you VST!

Raw On 10 was also chosen as a raw dessert favorite, and I must admit that her caramel apple pie was most impressive. I don't have a dehydrator so I probably won't get a chance to make it, but her recipe looks absolutely amazing! Creativity and good taste clashed in this epic recipe and i intend on trying to make this, even if its not dehydrated. Just look at that! Tell me you don't want some of that gooey apple goodness.

On the lighter side, an awesome pie from Happy Cow was also sent to me. Happy Cow has some pretty awesome raw recipes, and their raw strawberry pie looks delicious and really easy! Sounds like epicness in every slice to me.

Anyways, don't forget to join the Raw Dessert Contest! The winner gets a Raw Sampler Pack from NutsOnline.com! When i announce the winner, i'll also post an epic recipe I came up with for a giant Halloween dessert. It involves lots of chocolate and lots of epicness!

Don't forget to enter my raw dessert contest here!

-Andrew D. Morrison-

Raw Dessert Contest!

CONTEST TIME! HECK YEAH!

As I stated in my last post, Nuts Online is one of my absolute favorite companies due to the fact that they have amazing prices and awesome stuff. I could rant on and on about how amazing their food is, but why just tell you when you can get a little tasting of their amazingness for yourself?

So i figured, a little sampling of their awesomeness! The winner of this contest will receive a free Raw Sampler Pack (priced at $20) from Nuts Online. The sampler pack comes with not one....not 5.....but of the best raw and organic foods they have to offer for absolutely no cost! Here is what you'll get! Keep in mind, you are getting a sampling of ALL of these.

RAW CEREALS & BARS

Acai Blueberry Superfood Cereal

Wake up your taste buds with Acai Blueberry Superfood Cereal! Grain-free, nutrient-dense, raw, and packed with flavor, this superfruit cereal is an awesome way to get more color in your diet.

Organic Raw Cacao Goji Energy Squares

A delicious raw treat that's a healthier version of a brownie, packed with antioxidant rich cacao and goji! Great for an energy boost!

RAW FOODS HIGH IN PROTEIN

Organic Quinoa

The 'mother grain' is extremely high in protein (12-18%) and supplies complete protein, meaning that it includes all 9 essential amino acids. It can be sprouted and eaten as a snack, on top of salads, or mixed in trail mixes!

Organic Hemp Protein Powder

This protein packed organic hemp protein powder is a must have for any athlete or raw foodie. Packed with 50% protein and all of the nutrients from hemp seeds, this powder is chock full of energy.

Spirulina

Spirulina is one of the most nutritionally dense foods in the world. It is a complete protein, packed with iron, and may have antiviral and anticancer effects! It helps detoxify our bodies and lowers cholesterol / blood pressure.

Organic Maca Powder

Organic Maca Powder (raw) is an adaptogenic root that enhances your ability to deal with stress while boosting energy, endurance and performance. In traditional Peruvian culture, Maca is believed to be an aphrodisiac. It is rich in sugar, proteins (18 amino acids and 7 of the 9 essential amino acids) and important minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous.

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica) are extremely high in Omega 3 and are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Chia seeds can be eaten raw as a dietary fiber and omega 3 supplement.

RAW SNACKS

Organic Cacao Nibs (Raw)

Organic Cacao Nibs are a real chocolate treat. Made from crushed Ecuadorian Arriba Nacional beans, these raw nibs are the original unsweetened chocolate chip. Crunchy, flavorful, and packed with powerful nutrients and natural mood lifters. Try them on their own, or sweeten with bananas and dates for a truly healthy chocolate. Perfect for mixing into smoothies or trail mixes.

Turkish Figs

Figs are one of the sweetest fruits available that are also high in key nutrients like iron and calcium!

Organic Almonds (Raw, No Shell)

Organic raw almonds are high in detoxifying minerals (magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, and manganese) and vitamin E! Even better, they protect against obesity, diabetes, heart disease and lower cholesterol / blood pressure.

EPICNESS!!! So now that i've revealed the prize, here is the contest!

Raw Dessert Contest

Create or post a link of your favorite raw dessert and why you love raw food!

Recipes can be posted:

• In the comment section below
• On my twitter @vegmuffinman
• Or at Facebook.com/rawtothefullest

Extra entry for:

-Adding at least one picture

-Creativity

-Originality

-Holiday theme (preferably Halloween)

-Liking either I or Nuts Online on Facebook or Twitter

Submissions must be posted by Midnight EST of Sunday, October 23rd

And that's it! Its that simple. I hope to see some awesome posts soon. At the end of the contest, I intend to make something raw and huge so be on the look out for that! That will be the post in which I will announce the winner.

Post your entries in the comment section below or on Facebook or Twitter!

-Andrew D. Morrison-

Starting off my cleanse....with ice cream

Yes, I cleanse my body with dessert. Whats wrong with that? Ok, so its more of a sorbet but its still sweet and delicious! Fruit just made it that much better and easier to get away with.

So, when I woke up I had some lemon juice in water and a bit of Pure Synergy. Pure Synergy is my favorite green superfood powder and is the most complete one i've been able to find. All of the enzymes and food in it are so incredibly good for you and nutritious to the highest extent! So of course I needed to add some good stuff into my cleanse to help replace all of the bad stuff.

By the power of the green gods of cleansing and healthiness, I now grant you as a super vegan! MWAHAHAHAHA

Alright, so then later after some pure synergy for breakfast and a bland salad for lunch, now off to the good part. I made a sorbet out of some of the most cleansing fruits I had with me! Papaya, grapefruit, and lots of berries. Time to get this part started!

Cleanser Sorbet

ingredients:

1 papaya

1 grapefruit

1 avocado

2 c. mixed berries

1 tbsp. honey

1 tbsp. coconut oil

1/2 c. shredded coconut (optional)

-De-seed, de-pit, and de-skin the papaya, grapefruit, and avocado and through them into the blender.

-Add in the rest of your ingredients (except the shredded coconut if using) and blend everything until its nice and smooth but not watery. Add another avocado or a banana if that helps.

- Pour everything into a bowl and mix in your coconut. Then freeze everything for 2-4 hours or until it resembles icey ice cream or a sorbet.

-Enjoy!

Not the prettiest sorbet in the world, but it was still delicious! Papaya contains a unique enzyme called papain which is renowned for its ability to cleanse your skin and prevent cancer. I threw in the grapefruit due to the acidity in it which burns away at mucus build up and helps cleanse your digestive system.

Coconut, i could go on all day about. Though sweet, it contains acids that are not absorbed by the stomach and help to move things along. Coconut oil is so clean that it is the only oil that doesn't need to be filtered through your pancreas. Its also one of the only oils that don't clog your pores when you sweat it out. My favorite part of it, though, is its strong effect on the thyroid which strengthens it increases your metabolism to clean everything out.

The avocado contains essential fats, but i don't know if its necessary cleansing. I added it to make everything more ice-creamy. But honey, on the other hand, wasn't only added for taste. It contains more enzymes and antioxidants than any other food tested! So of course, it was worth adding.

On a different note, wow. Second day of October, and the temperature drops! Its almost magical!

What do you think is the most magical thing about fall?

-Andrew D. Morrison-

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Torte (aka. Reeses!)

What better way to start off Vegan Mofo than with a dessert recipe? Something sweet and delicious to start off October and to give you something to snack on as you make your way through the month.

I dislike how all of the dessert recipes show up at the end of the month when you have little time to prepare yourself. All of the attention for Halloween and candy comes when its a bit too late and when things are almost over and done with. So with the taste of a Reeses peanut butter cup, but the creamy and chocolaty melt-in-your mouth feel of a chocolate torte, this halloween candy will satisfy Ladies and gentleman, boys and ghouls...... raw peanut butter torte!

Raw Chocolate - Peanut Butter Torte

Torte Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. Cacao Powder

3/4 c. Pecan Flour

6 tbsp. Coconut oil

6 tbsp. Honey

-Mix all of your dry ingredients together all of your dry ingredients in your food processor. If you don't have pecan flour, just process them in a coffee grinder a few times until they form a flour-like texture.

-Add in the liquid ingredients and mix until it dorms a very wet dough, almost the texture of peanut butter.

-Mold the dough into muffin tins, poking a hole into the top where the cream will go.

-Freeze the muffin pans while you make the cream.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cream Ingredients:

1/4 c. Cacao Powder

6 tbsp. Almond or Peanut Butter

1/4 c. Coconut Oil (melted)

1/4 c. honey

-Mix all of the ingredients in your food processor or a blender until it forms a liquidy cream. Add a few tablespoons of water or extra coconut oil if needed.

-Take your tortes out of the freezer and spoon the cream into the holes you made.

-Freeze for at least 30 minutes or until everything firms up.

-Eat and enjoy!

I had both of my little brothers try them, and they claim it to be excellently similar to Reeses peanut butter cups only chocolatier! My parents liked them as well, my dad saying they were good but not quite the same. Maybe a bit more peanut butter will do the trick but the texture was spot on!

They melt quickly though so be warned! They taste best straight from the freezer. I'll work on getting them a bit longer-lasting just so I can bring them to school and brag around Halloween time about my vegan epicness!

Whats your favorite Halloween candy or treat?

-Andrew D. Morrison-

Coconut - Macadamia Nut Cake

With a military dad, I grew up with the rare experience of living in Hawaii for a large chunk of my childhood. Many people dream of the chance to move to a tropical island where it is sunny all year long, but i actually tend to be more of a cold weather person. However, one thing I do miss is the wonderful variety of tropical foods that the islands had to offer.

Macadamia nuts and coconut were stocked at even the local gas satations, and came in so many forms that the possibilities are endless. My favorite though, was in cake form that was so rich and creamy, yet crunchy at the same time. Almost like a cheescake you could say. Being a raw foodist, I still love the taste of macadamia and coconut to a full extent and decided to recreate this amazing treat I enjoyed when I enjoyed when I was younger. My results were a lot more stunning than I expected...

(Note: Especially make sure the nuts are raw. I have bought roasted ones so many times on accident, so making sure you have a good source helps. (i buy all mine organic and raw from nutsonline.com )

Raw Macadamia-Coconut Cake

(w/ a pecan crust)

Serves 2

Crust Ingredients:

4 Medjool Dates

1 c. Pecans (raw)

2 tbsp. Coconut oil (raw, cold-pressed)

1 tsp. Himilayan Pink Sea Salt

Method:

-Set your dates in a jar or glass of water for about 5 minutes, or until soft.

-Blend your pecans in a food processor until it forms a fine flour.

-Add the remaining cake ingredients and continue to process until you get a dough-like consistancy.

-Mold your dough into the bottom of a round pan and set it in the freezer while you make the cake.

Cake ingredients:

1 c. Macadamia Nuts

1/2 c. Cashews

1 c.Coconut Flakes

1/4 c. Raw Honey

3tbsp. Coconut Oil

1/4 c. Water

Method:

-Put your nuts into your food processor and pulse them until they are ground up finely into a chunky flour-like consistency.

-Add in the coconut oil, honey, and water and blend until it becomes a smooth, creamy consistency. More water may be added if you need it.

-Add in the coconut and pulse a few times until its mixed in well.

-Pour your cake mix onto the crust and set it in the freezer for about 30 min, or until nice and chilled.

-Enjoy!!

This cake turned out excellently, and tasted best to me straight out of the freezer. It kind of reminded me of a coconut ice cream cake that way, and the crust makes it almost cheesecake like. This was one of the few things i've made that my mom really really liked, so i'm kind of proud of this one.

Thawed a bit, its almost tasted like my old favorite from when i was younger. If i ever do go back to Hawaii, sampling some of the wonderful organic food as the raw foodist I am to this day would be at the top of my list!

What kind of cake would you have, and eat it too?

-Andrew D. Morrison-

Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

Ice Cream is one of my all time favorite foods and as i've said in previous posts. Its so easy to make, and just tastes so frickin delicious! A bit of the right ingredients and a little bit of freezing time and you get what may be the best tasting raw ice cream you've ever had without the cost of the store brands (if you can even be lucky enough to find a good store brand).

One of my favorite flavors when I used to eat crap used to be a chocolate,peanut butter, banana combination known as "Chunky Monkey". It was delicious and absolutley one of the best flavors out there (right next to ones with oreos or cookie dough). So I figured with some of my organic bananas going bad on the shelf and some raw cacao in the cabinet calling my name, why not remake an old favorite of mine?

"Chunky Monkey" Ice Cream

(banana,chocolate, walnut)

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1/2c Cashews

2 medium sized Bananas

2 Medjool Dates (pitted)

1 c Water

1 1/2 c. Cacao Nibs

1 c. Walnuts

2 tbsp. Raw Honey

1 tbsp Himalayan Sea Salt

Method:

-Soak your cashews and dates in the water for about about an hour, or until softened.

-Grind up 1/2 c. of the cacao nibs until it is almost powder.

-Blend all except for the remaining cacao nibs and your walnuts of the ingredients into your blender or food processor (including the water). Make sure to blend until smooth and creamy.

-Pour into your ice cream maker and follow the instructions for your make and model. Now if you do not own an ice cream maker, then place the mixture into the freezer for about 2 hours. Then stir everything and place it into your refrigerator for about 1 hour.

-About 5 minutes before the ice cream is done in your maker (about an hour before done if useing the freezer), add in your remaining ingredients.

This is one of the few recipes my non-raw family really liked, and I absolutley loved it! It Was smooth with a crunch, and tasted pretty close to the real thing! The only criticism I got was from my mom, who thought the extra cacao nibs were a bit much, but it was one of my favorite parts. If you don't like it, try them just as a garnish. They make it look pretty too!

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

-Andrew Morrison-

Raw Berry Ice Cream w/ rasperry-lavender compote

Ice cream is one of my absolute favorite things to both make and eat. I got an ice cream maker for christmas and since then, my exploration into the world of frozen deliciousness has sent me into the abyss. A little creativity, and you could set up some of the most astounding flavors your tastebuds have ever been introduced to.

With heat among us, I figured a simple berry ice cream would make an excellent dessert. So simple, so common, yet so delicious!

Raw Berry Ice Cream

w/raspberry-lavender compote

Ingredients:

1 c Cashews

1/4 c Raw Almond Butter

(My favorite is made by Mara-Nantha)

1 c Water

1 c Mixed frozen berries

1 tbsp Himalayan Sea Salt

Method:

-Blend all of the ingredients into your blender or food processor. Make sure to blend until smooth and creamy.

-Pour into your ice cream maker and follow the instructions for your make and model. Now if you do not own an ice cream maker, then place the mixture into the freezer for about 2 hours. Then stir everything and place it into your refrigerator for about 1 hour.

Compote Ingredients:

1 c raspberries(frozen or fresh)

8 tbsp. fresh lavender

1 tsp. raw honey

Method:

-Blend ingredients in your blender or food processor until it forms a chunky puree.

-Chill for at least 10 minutes (if you can wait that long!)

This fancy-ish dessert is as simple as that! Blend it up, let it freeze, and you suddenly have something that is not only rich, creamy and sounds like it belongs on a 5 star menu, but one of the healthiest desserts you may ever encounter (especially if you are relatively new to living foods and raw eating).

My family had mixed opinions on it. My mom said the ice cream itself didn't have enough of a sweet aspect to it, but that the raspberry compote countered that and fit in nicely. Personally, I think that the ice cream was incredibly creamy, but I might have added more berries next time.

Also, quick tip. MaraNantha is the ONLY raw almond butter I use and I would strongly suggest this product for so many reasons. It is a bit expensive, but it is a great consistency which i havnt been able to find in other raw nut butters. It's also organic, and i have seen jars of it at almost every grocery store i shop at so finding it isn't any trouble. Check them out!

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

-Andrew Morrison-