Inspired by: @welovenature
Are you searching for a truly decadent chocolate cake that everyone can enjoy, regardless of dietary needs? Look no further! This Easy Triple Chocolate Vegan Cake is a showstopper, designed to delight even the most discerning dessert lovers. Say goodbye to dry, crumbly alternatives! This recipe solves the common challenge of finding a truly delicious, moist, multi-allergy-friendly cake that caters to dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free preferences. In fact, one happy abillion user even rated it a perfect 10/10, praising its beautiful appearance and rich flavor!
Whether you’re planning a special holiday gathering, celebrating a birthday, or simply craving a cozy evening indulgence, this homemade chocolate cake delivers on taste, texture, and visual appeal. It pairs beautifully with a dollop of fresh coconut cream for an added touch of luxury.
Ingredients for Your Decadent Triple Chocolate Vegan Cake
To create this luscious, layered chocolate marvel, you'll need the following:
For the Cake Layers:
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour (use a gluten-free blend if needed)
- 1 ¾ cups (350g) sugar (granulated or coconut sugar)
- ¾ cup (65g) cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt (Himalayan salt recommended)
- 1 cup (240ml) warm water or strong brewed coffee (for a richer chocolate flavor)
- ½ cup (120ml) plant milk (oat milk or unsweetened almond milk)
- ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil or sunflower oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup (85g) vegan chocolate chips (for melted chocolate layer)
For the Rich Chocolate Buttercream:
- 1 cup (226g) vegan butter, softened (Miyoko's Creamery is a great option!)
- 3-4 cups (360-480g) powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ cup (45g) cocoa powder, unsweetened and sifted
- ¼ cup (60ml) plant milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Garnish (Optional Third Chocolate Element):
- ¼ cup (40g) vegan chocolate chips or shavings
Equipment You'll Need
- Two 8-inch round cake pans or one 9x13 inch rectangular pan
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Whisk
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
- Rubber spatula
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
Instructions: How to Bake Your Magnificent Vegan Cake
Follow these simple steps to bake your magnificent cake:
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour your cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, combine the warm water/coffee, plant milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Stir in the 1/2 cup of vegan chocolate chips until they are melted and fully incorporated into the mixture, creating a rich chocolate base.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Add the apple cider vinegar. Mix with a whisk or spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a dense cake. A few small lumps are fine.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 28-35 minutes for round pans, or 30-40 minutes for a rectangular pan, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Completely: Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10-15 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial before frosting!
- Prepare the Buttercream: While the cakes cool, prepare the buttercream. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened vegan butter until creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with the plant milk, beating until smooth and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. If too thick, add more plant milk, a teaspoon at a time. If too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Assemble and Garnish: Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the first layer with a generous amount of chocolate buttercream. Place the second cake layer on top and spread the remaining buttercream over the top and sides of the cake. For the third chocolate element, sprinkle with extra vegan chocolate chips or chocolate shavings.
- Serve: Slice and serve this incredible Triple Chocolate Vegan Cake. It’s absolutely delightful with a side of coconut cream!
Tips & Hacks for the Perfect Vegan Cake
Elevate your baking with these expert tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For the smoothest, creamiest buttercream and well-incorporated cake batter, ensure your vegan butter and plant milk are at room temperature.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your cake tough, especially with gluten-free flours. Mix until just combined; a few small lumps are perfectly fine.
- Prevent Dryness: This cake is designed to be moist, but to ensure maximum hydration, avoid over-baking. Ovens vary, so start checking for doneness at the lower end of the suggested baking time. For an even moister cake, brush the cooled layers with a light simple syrup (sugar dissolved in water) before frosting.
- Chill for Easy Frosting: If your cake layers feel delicate or soft, briefly chill them in the refrigerator before frosting. This helps them firm up and makes them much easier to handle, preventing tearing.
- Sift Your Powders: Sifting cocoa powder and powdered sugar is key! This step prevents lumps in your buttercream and ensures a silky-smooth finish.
Variations and Adaptations
This versatile vegan chocolate cake can be customized in many ways to suit your preferences:
- Nut-Free & Soy-Free: This recipe is naturally nut-free if you use oat milk or another nut-free plant milk and ensure your chocolate chips are certified nut-free. For a soy-free cake, choose a soy-free vegan butter and chocolate.
- Flavor Boosts: Add a pinch of espresso powder to the cake batter to deepen the chocolate flavor, or a touch of peppermint extract to the buttercream for a festive mint-chocolate twist, perfect for holidays!
- Different Frostings: Experiment with other vegan frostings! Try a rich ganache made from coconut cream and melted chocolate, or a light coconut cream whipped topping for a less rich option.
- Cupcakes or Mini Cakes: Easily adapt this recipe for cupcakes (bake for 20-25 minutes) or mini cakes, perfect for individual servings at parties or gatherings.
- Fruity Pairing: Garnish your cake with fresh berries like strawberries or blackberries for a burst of freshness and a beautiful color contrast.
This cake isn't just a dessert; it's a celebration of conscious choices and delicious possibilities. It's truly a delight that aligns with an ethical and environmentally friendly lifestyle, as highlighted by abillion's mission.
Ready to impress your guests with this incredible Triple Chocolate Vegan Cake? Bake it today and share your creations on abillion! Your feedback helps others discover amazing plant-based delights.
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