Cake of the Day: Chocolate Cake from ‘Food52 Vegan’

They taste good, they look good, and they’re made by good people — talented bakers from around the world. Today, Food52 shares a satisfying chocolate cake from their cookbook, Food52 Vegan.

Vegan Chocolate Cake. (Photo James Ransom)

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Filling and Ganache
Serves 10 to 12

Yes, it is true: vegan chocolate cake can deliver all the flavor and satisfaction of its egg- and butter-filled cousins, as this one amply demonstrates. The “buttercream” in this recipe is an ingenious combination of pumpkin puree and almond butter. If you don’t have time to bake a cake, it wouldn’t be a terrible idea to make the filling anyway and eat it with a spoon.

Cake
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2?3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
3?4 teaspoon salt
2 cups unsweetened nondairy milk, homemade or store-bought
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 3?4 cups sugar
2?3 cup melted coconut oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Filling
1 cup pumpkin puree
1?4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1?4 cup maple syrup
3 tablespoons almond butter or cashew butter

Ganache
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1?2 cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat two 8- or 9-inch round springform pans with melted coconut oil.

To make the cake, put the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl and whisk to combine.

In a medium bowl, vigorously whisk together the nondairy milk and vinegar until frothy. Whisk in the sugar, oil, and vanilla. Add about one-third of the mixture to the flour mixture and stir with a spatula or whisk, or use an electric mixer on the lowest setting. Repeat, adding the remaining liquid in two more additions, mixing just until incorporated after the final addition. Pour the batter into the prepared pans.

Bake for about 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven but leave the cakes in their pans and let cool completely.

To make the filling, process all the ingredients in a food processor.

To make the ganache, put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Combine the coconut milk and maple syrup in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just simmering. Pour over the chocolate and stir until melted. Let cool to room temperature.

To assemble the cake, remove the layers from their pans. Place one, top side up, on a serving platter and gently shave off the rounded top with a sharp knife. Spread all of the filling over the top. Place the other cake layer atop the filling. Pour the ganache evenly over the top and let it drizzle down the sides. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Leftovers will keep in a covered container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reprinted with permission from Food52 Vegan: 60 Vegetable-Driven Recipes for Any Kitchen by Gena Hamshaw (Ten Speed Press).

Food52 Vegan. Photo: James Ransom

More vegan cakes to love:

Chocolate-Avocado Cake from ‘Clean Green Eats’

Flower Power Cake

Vegan Blueberry Strawberry Banana Ice Cream Cake