Raw Chocolate Pomegranate Tart
I was going to a friend’s house for dinner the other night and I wanted to bring a dessert. If you know me, you know that while I can cook just about anything, I am not a great baker. And that’s saying it very kindly… I’ve been known to burn slice and bake cookies. So, when I tell you that this raw chocolate pomegranate tart is the best dessert I ever made, that’s another way for saying this recipe is idiot-proof.
One of the reasons — and I can’t stress how important this reason is — that I was able to achieve such perfection with this dessert is because the original recipe is just genius. All of that genius-credit goes to Joscelyn at Wife Mama Foodie. I just love when I can take an existing recipe and have it come out perfect the first time, so a big thanks to you Jos!
Some people are fruity-dessert people. And some people are nutty-dessert people. I am a chocolate-dessert person. And if it’s a flourless, dense, rich, creamy, velvety chocolate dessert like this one… I’m all in.
The only downside to this tart is that because it’s healthy, I’m easily able to rationalize why I can and should eat WAY too much. I think it took me a maximum of 15 seconds to scarf down a good size slice… ugh.
Back to my friend’s dinner party — I brought this dessert. And it looked beautiful. Everyone expects whatever I bring to be delicious, so I was a little nervous because this was not something I could taste before I brought it there. Can I just say that this raw chocolate pomegranate tart is unbelievable! The chocolate filling is so creamy and fudgy and the pomegranate seeds are mixed into the filling AND they are shining pretty on top… it’s the perfect taste and texture, and it’s just so pretty!
I will be making this dessert for Thanksgiving too! Which is actually kind of laughable since my brother-in-law owns a bakery and always brings a ton of desserts… but, I rationalize that I can bring this because a) it’s a healthy option and b) he’s not a chocolate-dessert guy, so someone’s gotta bring it…
Anyway, if I haven’t convinced you to make this dessert yet, just trust me… please…
I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now (okay… always…), so let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. I’ve got a dessert recipe with your name on it… So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.
And, if you are more of a fruity-dessert person, you should try my recipe for Paleo Blueberry Cobbler.
Here are some of the ingredients that make this raw chocolate pomegranate tart a healthy dessert:
Raw cacao is a superfood. It is packed with magnesium, iron, zinc and other minerals. Not only is it packed with health benefits, but it actually has properties that help the body absorb nutrients better and it’s filled with antioxidants. Cacao can actually be translated as “food of the gods”… Raw cacao can help lower blood pressure, promote healthy heart function, improve digestion, and may even help increase the libido.
In Asian medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus. The filling of this tart is made with coconut oil.
Dates are rich in potassium, dietary fiber and tannins. Fiber is good for your gut and tannins help the body fight inflammation and infection. Dates are also rich in vitamin A and iron. The most amazing thing about dates is that they can be used to replace sugar in almost anything. I stopped using sweetened protein powders in my smoothies and now I use unsweetened ones but I add a few dates.
Walnuts are actually a Chinese herb (He Tao Ren). They are used for some knee and back pain, some chronic coughs and for chronic constipation. These nuts are also good for infertility and sexual dysfunctions, and they have been used to help people with kidney stones.
Pomegranate seeds nourish the blood. In Chinese medicine, we know that many illnesses and conditions are caused by the body making poor quality blood. Pomegranate seeds are great at helping the body make good quality blood. They are also good to combat diarrhea, anemia and incontinence.
Pure maple syrup contains antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in the body (think inflammatory bowel syndrome or heart disease). It also contains zinc, calcium, and magnesium. It’s much lower on the glycemic scale than traditional sugar. Whenever possible, use a darker (grade B) syrup because the nutritional composition is better than that of lighter syrups.
If you make this Raw Chocolate Pomegranate Tart recipe, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.
Raw Chocolate Pomegranate Tart | | Print |
- For crust:
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1 cup walnuts
- pinch of sea salt
- For filling:
- 1-1/2 cups raw cacao powder
- 1 cup plus 2-Tbs pure maple syrup
- ¾ cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of sea salt
- ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds
- For topping: an additional ¼ to ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds
- Make crust:
- Place dates, walnuts and salt in a food processor and process until the mixture is smooth and sticky.
- Press the mixture into a tart pan with a removable bottom. (I used a 9-in. round pan.)
- Place the crust in the freezer while you prepare the filling.
- Make filling:
- Combine all filling ingredients in a large bowl until smooth.
- Pour the filling into the crust and smooth it out.
- Sprinkle the top with pomegranate seeds.
- Place the tart in the refrigerator to set, and keep it there until you are ready to serve it.
- Slice and enjoy!