Choco-Cherry Construction Site Cake

This year, we decided to indulge in a chocolate celebration for Alex’s birthday. He’s recently discovered a fondness for chocolate, and let me assure you, dark chocolate recipes are on the horizon! In the meantime, this cake is nothing short of spectacular—delicious, dense, exquisitely rich, and it won over every guest, no matter their age or taste.

I opted for a larger cake to ensure seconds were readily available. This creation boasts two decadent layers, both generously adorned with a luscious Nutella cream.

The preparation is a breeze, and as for decoration, the sky’s the limit! In the spirit of whimsy, I transformed it into an authentic construction site, inspired by Alex’s fascination with heavy machinery. The result speaks for itself!

Ingredients:

For the Cake (quantities provided are for a single layer; feel free to adjust based on your preferences and guest count)

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups almond meal
2 and 1/2 tablespoons coconut meal
1/2 teaspoon aluminum-free sodium bicarbonate
1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt
1 and 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Wet Ingredients:

2 eggs
1/2 cup coconut cream
1/4 cup melted ghee
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup pitted cherries (I used frozen organic ones)

For the Cream:

1 and 1/2 to 2 cups sugar- or dairy-free Nutella cream
2 tablespoons whole hazelnuts (optional, for decoration)
3 different mini construction machine toys

Instructions:

Blend all dry ingredients in a food processor. Add the wet ingredients (excluding cherries) and blend until a smooth dough forms. Gently fold in the cherries with a spoon.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, evenly spread the dough, and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes at medium heat, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Once both layers are baked and cooled, it’s time to build the cake. Spread a layer of Nutella cream on the bottom layer. Place the second layer on top and coat the entire cake with another layer of Nutella cream. Refrigerate for two hours.

Wash and dry the toy construction vehicles.

Place the cake on a serving plate. Make sure the plate is larger than the cake, leaving ample space for decoration.

Use a spoon to gently remove some cake. Let your imagination run wild. I decided to create a corner of ‘destruction’.

Crumble the removed cake with your fingers to fashion the construction site. Place the toy vehicles in different positions, reflecting their roles, and let them ‘get to work’.

Load up the toy truck with the hazelnuts.