Layered Chocolate Banana Coconut Cheesecake
I am a huge advocate for the ‘food is medicine’ philosophy! Recipes like this not only taste amazing, they tick quite a few boxes when it comes to supporting your microbiome, the production of neurotransmitters and nervous system. Ummm, yes please!!!
So what does this recipe contain that makes it so amazing??
🍫 Raw cacao
- Cacao naturally assists the body in producing serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins - all the ‘feel good’, ‘love’, ‘pleasure’ and ‘joy’ type hormones.
- Cacao contains tryptophan, which is essential for the production of serotonin.
- Cacao contains tyrosine, which stimulates the release of dopamine.
🍌 Fermented Bananas
- Fermented bananas have the added probiotic benefits of the Coconut Kefir while reducing the carb content of the banana.
- Bananas contain tryptophan, which is used to produce the serotonin - isn’t it funny how a banana looks like a smile!
- Bananas contain nutrients such as vitamins B6 and B9, magnesium and potassium, which are also known to reduce anxiety and depression.
🥥 Coconut Yoghurt with Bifidobacterium
- Certain strains of bifidobacterium produce GABA, which is connected with mood, sleep, anxiety, ADHD and relaxation.
- Microbiomes with a good concentration of bifido are more abundant with neurotransmitters such as serotonin.
- Bifido strains make many B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, folate and biotin), which are wonderful for reducing anxiety and depression.
Before you create this cake you will need to ferment the following:
Add 3 cups chopped bananas to a glass jar and add just enough Kultured Wellness Coconut Water Kefir to cover the bananas and ferment for 24-48 hours.
Add the 3 cups of cashews to a glass jar and add Kultured Wellness Coconut Water Kefir to cover it completely (you may need to add a little more as the cashews can absorb the liquid). Ferment for 24 hours.
Base Ingredients
Banana Layer
- 2 cups fermented bananas
- ½ cup banana coconut water kefir
- 2 cups Kultured Wellness Coconut Yoghurt
- 2 Tbsp MCT Oil
- Stevia to taste
Chocolate Layer
- 3 cups cultured cashews
- ½ cup Kultured Wellness Coconut Yoghurt
- ½ cup cultured bananas
- ½ cup banana coconut water kefir
- ½-¾ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla powder
- Stevia to taste
- 2-3 Tbsp cacao powder
Method
- Add all the base ingredients to a food processor and blitz together until it’s completely combined.
- Line a container or cake tin with baking paper and press the base ingredients into it evenly and set it aside.
- Strain the cultured bananas from the liquid (banana coconut water kefir) and strain the fermented cashews from the liquid. Set the liquids aside as you will need them later on.
- Add all the banana layer ingredients to a high powered blender or thermomix and blitz together until it’s completely smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides and re-blend.
- Pour half of the banana filling mix on top of the base and place it in the freezer to set.
- Pour the rest of the banana filling mix into a bowl and set it aside, you will need it later on.
- Now add all the chocolate layer ingredients (starting with 2 Tbsp of cacao powder) to a high powered blender or thermomix and blitz together until completely smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides and re-blend.
- Taste the mix and adjust the sweetness or cacao if desired.
- Pour the chocolate filling over the set banana layer and place it in the freezer to set.
- Once the chocolate layer has set pour the rest of the banana filling on top of it and place it back in the freezer to set.
- Once it’s ready you can decorate it with shredded coconut, cultured berries or edible flowers.
- Slice it up and enjoy every bite!
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