Date Night Delight: A Romantic Recipe That Loves Your Gut Back

A Romantic Recipe for a Happy Gut

By: Roxane Shymkiw

Whether you’re celebrating Galentine’s Day, Palentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or anything in between, there’s something special about cooking from the heart. Whether you’re preparing a meal for someone special or simply treating yourself, this recipe is nourishing, indulgent, and beneficial for your digestive system.

Supporting your gut with foods that nourish the trillions of bacteria that make up your microbiome can improve digestion, nutrient absorption, and immunity. The health of your gut can also impact your mood, stress levels, and cognitive function. Maintaining a balanced gut will help to regulate your metabolism and appetite and impact your skin health.

Made with wholesome, gut-friendly ingredients, this chocolate almond olive oil cake is filled with nutrients that aid in maintaining a healthy gut. The four main ingredients, almond flour, cacao powder, olive oil, and avocado, are all beneficial in supporting the health of your microbiota. Almonds are a good source of dietary fibre, and the fibre and healthy fats in almonds act as prebiotics which promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and support a balanced microbiome. Olive oil contains bioactive compounds that can reduce pathogenic bacteria in the gut while stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria. Raw cacao promotes relaxation, which is important since chronic stress can negatively impact digestion and the gut microbiome. Lastly, the healthy monounsaturated fats in avocados support the gut lining and can reduce gut inflammation.

Treat your tastebuds and your gut with this nutrient-rich, prebiotics packed chocolate cake! For more tips on supporting a healthy gut, visit No Shoes Nutrition to schedule a free consultation.

Chocolate Almond Olive Oil Cake with Chocolate Avocado Ganache

Makes one 8” round single layer cake

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ c almond flour

• 13⁄ c cacao powder

• ¾ c sugar

• ¾ tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp sea salt

• ½ tsp espresso powder

• 3 large eggs, at room temperature

• ¼ c + 3 Tbsp olive oil

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp almond extract

Chocolate Avocado Ganache

Makes approximately 1 cup

Ingredients:

• 1 large ripe avocado (approximately 223 g whole, just barely soft to touch)

• ¼ - 13⁄ c maple syrup

• ¼ c cacao powder

• 1 tsp vanilla

• Pinch of sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter the bottom and sides of an 8” round baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Put a small amount of cacao powder in the pan and rotate to coat the sides.

2. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the almond flour, cacao powder, sugar, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder.

3. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the eggs, olive oil, vanilla and almond extracts.

4. Stir the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until fully combined. The batter will be very thick.

5. Scrape into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

6. While the cake is baking, make the ganache. Add all of the ganache ingredients to the small bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth, creamy, and glossy.

7. If the ganache still tastes avocado-y, add a bit more maple syrup. Add it in small increments, as too much maple syrup will make the ganache runny. The flavour of the ganache is best the day it is made but can be kept up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

8. When the cake is finished baking, cool on a wire rack in the pan. When fully cooled and ready to serve, invert the cake, peel off the parchment paper, and place on a serving plate.

9. Spoon dollops of the prepared ganache on top and spread to cover the top. Any leftover cake should be kept covered in the refrigerator.

Note: Cocoa powder can be substituted for cacao, but it won’t have the same nutritional benefits.

Chocolate almond olive oil cake recipe developed by Roxane Shymkiw. Chocolate avocado ganache adapted from Making Thyme for Health

Reach Out for MORE!!!

Finding the perfect way to express your love isn’t always easy, and with busy schedules, shopping for gifts can be a challenge. Cooking a Valentine’s Day meal that’s both healthy and delicious can feel just as daunting—but this cake strikes the perfect balance! We're thrilled to share this special recipe with you as a heartfelt way to celebrate love and wellness.

If you enjoyed this recipe, there’s more to explore! Visit www.noshoesnutrition.com for additional gut-friendly recipes and expert nutrition insights. If you're ready to take the next step on your health journey, we’d love to connect—book a Discovery Call today and let us support you with personalized guidance and resources.

Wishing you a Valentine’s Day filled with love, joy, and vibrant health!

References

1. Ojo, O., Wang X-H., Ojo O.O., et al. “The Effects of Almonds on Gut Microbiota, Glycometabolism, and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.” Nutrients. 2021 Sep 26;13(10):3377 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8539485/

2. Millman J.F., Okamato S., Teruya T., et al. “Extra-virgin olive oil and the gut-brain axis: influence on gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, and cardiometabolic and cognitive health.” Nutri Rev. 2021: 79(12): 1362-74 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33576418/

3. Thompson S.V., Bailey M.A., Taylor A.M., et al. “Avocado Consumption Alters Gastrointestinal Bacteria Abundance and Microbial Metabolite Concentrations among Adults with Overweight or Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” J Nutri. 2021: 151(4): 753–762. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32805028/