Sunday, March 12, 2006

Chocolate Cake from The Candle Cafe Cookbook

Chocolate Cake from The Candle Cafe Cookbook by Joy Pierson and Bart Potenza with Barbara Scott-Goodman

I've used this recipe for cake layers a few times now, and I adore it. I will note, that I really like it because it's a lighter and sweeter chocolate cake then traditional chocolately ones.

Ingredients:
1 cup unbleached white flour

1 cup pastry flour (I use whole wheat pastry)
2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon sea salt (fine-grained)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup unrefined sugar
1 cup soymilk
1 cup maple syrup (indeed use the good stuff)
1/2 cup safflower oil (I use canola since I have it on hand)

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup water

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, salt, cinnamon, and sugar. In another bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of water, the soy milk, maple syrup, oil, vinegar, and vanilla and almond extracts. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir well to combine.


3. Divide batter into 2 greased 9-inch cake pans. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake. (I'm also a proponent of the batter-touch test). Remove from the oven and let cool on wire racks for about 30 minutes. I don't have wire racks, so it either sits in the pan on the counter or in the fridge if I'm rushing.


Ala this anniversary cake and the middle layer in the bottom cake:


I've never used this exact recipe, but the following is the accompanying recipe for Chocolate Ganache Frosting: Ingredients: 4 cups dairy-free chocolate chips 1 cup vanilla soy milk 1 tablespoon brewed coffee 1/4 cup maple syrup or agave nectar (I prefer the dark agave) 4. To prepare the frosting, put the chocolate chips, soy milk, coffee, and maple syrup or agave nectar in a double boiler over simmering water. Once the chips are melted, remove from the double boiler and set aside to cool. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend for 1 minute. Cool for about an hour in the refrigerator. 5. Place one cake layer on a plate and frost about 1/2 inch thick. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake.

NOTE: If you have any frosting left over, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Use as a topping for 'ice cream' and other desserts.



8 comments:

Emily said...

I was thinking about making that for my dinner party, but I've decided to make mini bundt cakes from a Nigella Lawson book (not vegan), but I may make that for another occasion. I'm glad to know it's so good!

Carrie™ said...

Hey Jess! I'm loving all the cakes! You must have been a baking fiend to get all of those made.
I left you a message under the aspargus post inquiring about "cheese". Take a look at it if you wouldn't mind and give me some of your experience and wisdom. Thanks!

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

pete- awesome! thanks for visiting : D

emily- have a lovely dinner party! I really want to get mini cake pans myself. Mini is too damn cute to resist.

carrie- I commented under the silk entry ; ) I am a baking fiend but I just helped out my friend with them, and there were some volunteers too.

Harmonia said...

That looks intense! ;p

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

Harmona- You are so sweet. Have some cake ; )

Merce said...

Jess, I admire your baking skills like whoa. The reason I rarely bake is because NO ONE BUT ME will eat the baked goods, and that is just not a good thing. My roommate would warily eye anything "vegan," and even if I didn't tell her, she'd have a hunch. Boo.

Sandy said...

You're making me hungry. Could you make me a tiarmasu ( I know thats not spelled right). A really big one to last hubby and me for quite a while!! Purdy please

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

WoW, that anniversary cake looks decadent!