This is a vegan cake I made a while ago that can be enjoyed by - vegans, non-vegans, men and women and non-men and non-women and doubtless quite a few other creatures. I think the only people excluded from enjoying this cake will be cake haters, but some exclusions seem insurmountable, non?
When I last served this cake it was eaten by vegans, vegetarians, omnivores, men, women, lesbians, bisexuals, and heterosexuals. Some of these people came into more than one category. All went well.
Vegan Ganache:
• 350 g (12.5oz) vegan dark chocolate (40-70% cocoa solids. Or use half dark and half milk chocolate) chopped
• 350 ml (1 1/2 cups) full fat coconut milk
Vegan Chocolate Fudge Cake:
• 360 ml (1 1/2 cups) almond or soy milk
• 1 1/2 tsp cider vinegar
• 260 g (1 1/4 cups) caster (superfine) sugar
• 150 ml (scant 2/3 cup) sunflower oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 230 g (scant 2 cups) plain (all-purpose) flour plus xantham
• 80 g (2/3 cup) cocoa powder (Dutch processed)
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• 1/4 tsp salt
You simply whisk together the wet ingredients, sift together the dry, then mix the two together and bake.
- Start by making the ganache; place the chopped chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. Heat the coconut milk until it is just boiling then pour it over the chocolate.
- Set aside for 2 minutes then stir until smooth and the chocolate is completely melted. Cover and place in the fridge for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, while you make the cake.
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4. Grease three 15cm/6inch round tins and line the bases with baking parchment (or use two 20cm/8inch tins instead).
- Whisk together the almond/soy milk and vinegar in a large jug; the milk should curdle slightly. Whisk in the sugar, oil and vanilla extract.
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking p, bicarb soda and salt.
- Gradually whisk the wet ingredients into the dry until smooth; be careful not to over-mix. Divide the batter evenly between the tins and bake for about 30 minutes.
- Leave the cakes to cool in their tins for 30 minutes then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely (they are delicate so be gentle). If you are making them a day in advance, wrap in clingfilm once cool.
- To assemble the cake, place one of the layers on a serving plate/cake stand. The ganache should be thick but spreadable, if it is too runny still then return it to the fridge until it is firm, or pop it in the freezer for a bit to speed up the process. If it is too thick then gently warm it over a pan of hot water until it has softened.
- Spread a third of the ganache over the first cake layer and place another cake on top, spread over another third of the ganache and repeat. Decorate as you see fit - with fresh berries, vegan chocolates, candied nuts etc.
Because there is no sweetener added to the ganache, make sure that the chocolate that you use isn't too dark and bitter, otherwise the ganache will be inedible. Go for around 40% cocoa solids if you prefer a sweeter, less intense flavour; and 70% if you want a richer, less sweet ganache. You can also use half dark and half (dairy free) milk chocolate for a less rich flavour; which I particularly recommend if you are going to be serving this cake to children.
@LillianBland @Bercows