Chocolate Vegan Cake

This is a very straightforward chocolate vegan cake recipe. Basically, the only tricky part is in the removal of eggs, which traditionally contribute to the structure of standard cakes. There are a few substitutions that can be made to tackle this issue. In the case of this recipe, the vegetable oil should do the trick and should take care of the moistness and richness. The vinegar does something too, but I'm no scientist.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar*
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup cold water
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp vinegar

Preparation
1. Use a small brownie pan. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix all non-liquid ingredients in the baking pan itself.
3. Mix all liquid ingredients, with the exception of the vinegar in a separate bowl.
4. Pour the pre-mixed liquid into the pan with the dry ingredients, mix thoroughly.
5. Add the vinegar in last, stir in, and then immediately place in oven.
6. Cook for 25-30 minutes and test with toothpick/fork (should come out dry).
7. Let cool before serving or adding frosting.

Optional: Vegan Frosting for your Vegan Cake

1/2 cup vegan margarine (check ingredients!)
2 cups powdered sugar*
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons vegan soymilk
1/3 cup cocoa powder
a dash of salt

Preparation
1. Slightly heat margarine to soften (microwave should work)
2. Mix in other ingredients, starting with the sugar. An electric mixer is preferable here if you have access to one.
3. Adjust consistency by adding either more soymilk or more powdered sugar. Use your judgment here, it should look like a spreadable frosting.

* The vegan-ness of white (bleached) sugar is often debated, and I will admit that I am not an expert in this matter. The argument is that some sort of animal bones are used to refine sugar into the form that it is sold in. If this is of concern to you then try this recipe with raw sugar or brown sugar. (I realize that brown sugar is just white sugar with molasses added, but supposedly the producers of many kinds of brown sugar take the above concerns into consideration).



Did you enjoy this vegan cake? Try some other vegan recipes.