Yup, it’s a big call – the best classic vegan chocolate cake? It’s a bold position but I’m confident. I have made this cake many times now and each time it knocks my wee socks off. My non-vegan people love it too, what’s more. Inspired by a Hershey’s chocolate cake recipe I came across BIWV (before I went vegan), this chocolate cake is moist, chocolatey and so simple.
I’ve eaten some cake in my time and this chocolate cake is up there in my top 5. The crumb is delicious and tender and it is fantastically chocolatey without being overwhelming. It also keeps for up to 5 days and if you’ve made a three tiered cake just for the heck of it – not for a party – you are going to need a few days to polish it off. Or not. No judgement.
It’s also super basic. No beaters, no mixer, just you, a whisk and a spoon.
THIS IS THE VEGAN CHOCOLATE CAKE
I created this recipe because I wanted to bake a plant-based chocolate cake that is just a classic chocolate cake. I’ve made nut-free, sugar-free and gluten-free desserts and they are great but sometimes you just want a simple, traditional cake. This is it.
Based on Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” Chocolate Cake recipe I made a few vegan tweaks, added a little wholemeal (wholewheat) flour (I think it gives this cake the best crumb), and played with the ratios a little and voila, a classic vegan chocolate cake.
The original recipe and this vegan version work perfectly for two main reasons |
No. 1. BOILING WATER | the trick to this cake’s gorgeous flavour is the boiling water. While some recipes call for adding espresso to highlight chocolate notes, this cake does the same by adding hot water. It blooms the cocoa making its flavour more intense. Clever, yes?
And No. 2. OIL | the cake is made super moist by using oil instead of butter. The bonus is that if there is no butter, there’s no creaming. We simply stir and bake.
Whether you want to swathe your chocolate cake in swirls of my Basic Chocolate Frosting | Vegan or simply dust it with icing sugar, it will work perfectly. Dress it up, dress it down, the choice is yours.
It’s perfect for birthdays and holidays but simple enough you can make it everyday. I am going to call it – this is the only vegan chocolate cake recipe you will need. Enjoy, x.
If you are after a nut-free dessert, try the [Loved Up] Nut-Free Raw Chocolate Cake. If it’s sugar-free you’re after check out my easy Avocado Chocolate Mousse or for gluten-free try my Wicked Vegan Chocolate Beetroot Cakes.
THE BEST CLASSIC VEGAN CHOCOLATE CAKE
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/4 cups soy milk or dairy-free milk
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 3/4 cup wholemeal flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 and 1/4 cups raw sugar
- 1/2 cup sunflower oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 165 degrees C (330 degrees F) fan-forced or 180 degrees C (355 degrees F) conventional and line 3 x 18cm (7-inch) cake pans or 2 x 22 cm (9-inch) pans.
- Combine the milk and apple cider in a mixing bowl and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl mix together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, cocoa powder and sugar.
- Gently whisk the sunflower oil and vanilla extract in to the milk/vinegar mixture.
- Add the milk and oil mixture to the dry ingredients and lightly whisk before adding the boiling water and whisking gently until combined. Be careful whisking the boiling water.
- The batter is thin so I pour it in to a large pouring jug and distribute it evenly between the cake pans - up to around 3/4 of the pan height.
- Pop the pans in the oven and bake for 23 - 25 minutes for the 3 x 18 " pans or 28 - 30 mins for the 2 x 22 " pans or until a skewer comes away from the centre cleanly.
- Remove from the oven and sit the cakes for 10 minutes before turning them out to cool completely.
- Place one cake, flat side up, and top with your favourite frosting. Place another cake on top, add more frosting followed by the last cake and - you guessed it - more frosting. Decorate with fresh fruit to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
IF YOU LOVE THIS CAKE CHECK OUT THESE OTHER GREAT RECIPES →
I have made a few vegan chocolate cakes and none come to this one. It is the perfect balance of moistness, sweetness and decadence. By FAR the best recipe I have tried. Brilliant!
I am smiling from ear to ear, Debra. Thanks so much for the feedback. x
Is it Dutch Process cocoa?
Thanks
Hi Curt, I am in Australia and use a vegan cocoa from my local supermarket. Nothing fancy at all. The boiling water will bring out the chocolate flavour for you. 🙂
Wow! A chocolate cake for any celebration or day of the week. Made this for my partner and he is still raving about it. So glad I’ve found your blog!
I’m in Boston USA. What is ‘wholemeal’ flour. Really want to make this cake. Thx. Hello to you and Australia!
G’day Suzanne! Wholemeal flour is wholewheat in the US. Thanks for pointing that out. I’ll add a note to the recipe. I hope you love it.
My husband and I visited Boston a few years – great city!