Vegan Chocolate CakeThis vegan dessert is an oldie but goodie, which always turns out perfect. You'll find my favorite frosting recipe below*. - 1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup Sucanat, or other granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup organic vegetable oil (ie. organic Safflower or organic Canola)
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons vinegar (Apple Cider Vinegar or Brown Rice Vinegar)
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Sift dry ingredients into a bowl. Add liquids (except vinegar) and whisk until batter is smooth. Pour into an 8" square or 9" round baking pan. Add vinegar and stir quickly, until it is evenly distributed.
2. Bake 20 minutes and test with toothpick in center of cake. If it doesn't come out clean, then continue to bake, but check for doneness every 3 minutes.
3. Cool and frost.
Yield: One 8" or 9" cake.
Variations: - Add non-dairy chocolate chips to the batter
- Add sun-dried cherries
- After frosting, press sliced and toasted almonds along the sides of the cake, and sprinkle a few on the top for a pretty presentation
Vegan Fluffy Buttercream FrostingFrom the absolutely fantastic cookbook Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World. If you want to learn how to make the absolute best, most delectable cupcakes and frostings, buy this book! - 1/4 cup non-dairy and non-hydrogenated shortening
- 1/4 cup non-dairy and non-hydrogenated margarine
- 1 3/4 cups organic powdered sugar, sift, if clumpy
- 3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Sucanat, or other granulated sugar
- 3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/8 cup plain non-dairy milk or non-dairy creamer
Beat the shortening and margarine together until well combined and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat for about 3 more minutes. Add the vanilla and non-dairy creamer, beat for another 5 to 7 minutes until fluffy.
Yield: 2 cups. (I've halved the original recipe. Freeze leftovers, or double the recipe for a double layer cake.)