This recipe is adapted from minimalist baker's vegan chocolate cake.
Ingredients
CAKE
2 c. unsweetened almond milk
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1¼ c. applesauce
⅔ c. coconut oil, melted
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2¼ c. unbleached all-purpose flour
1 c. honey
1 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
FROSTING
2 sticks vegan butter, softened
2½ c. powdered sugar
1 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. vanilla extract
~1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
¾ c. semi sweet chocolate chips
½ c. coconut milk
TO DECORATE
Chocolate shards*
Pretzels
Coarse salt
Sprinkles
Instructions
CAKE
Preheat oven to 350°F (176 C) and line the bottom of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Lightly grease the sides of the pans and dust with cocoa powder.
Whisk the almond milk and vinegar in a large mixing bowl, and let set for a few minutes to activate. Add the oil, vanilla extract, honey, and applesauce and beat until foamy.
In another bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add dry mixture to the wet mixture and whisk until no large lumps remain. It should be creamy and pourable.
Divide batter evenly between your 2 cake pans, and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
FROSTING
While cooling, prepare frosting by beating together all ingredients until light and fluffy, adding the powdered sugar a bit at a time (to prevent from you transforming into Jack Frost). If it becomes too thick, add more almond milk. If it's too thin, add more cocoa powder or powdered sugar.
GANACHE
Heat the coconut milk on the stovetop until it just begins to boil. Pour the milk over the chocolate and let sit for 1-2 minutes. Whisk the chocolate and milk together until smooth.
TO DECORATE
Make sure your cake is thoroughly chilled before applying your frosting and ganache. Use a spoon to first add a few purposeful drips over the top edge of the cake. Next, pour more ganache on the top of the cake, pushing it just to the edge with a small offset spatula. Don't overthink it; just have fun with it!
Stick in your chocolate shards to add some height, and decorate however you want your cake to look!
Notes
*to make chocolate shards, pour melted chocolate onto parchment paper. Transfer to fridge to solidify.
Recipe by Radiant Rachels at https://radiantrachels.com/salted-double-chocolate-cake/