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Vegan Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache. Sogt, Moist Fudgy Chocolate Layer Cake! Use sunbutter or coconut cream to make nut-free. Vegan Soy-free Palmoil-free Recipe.   Jump to Recipe   

Vegan Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache. Simple Chocolate Layer Cake. Add raspberry or apricot preserves. Soy-free Palm Oil-free Recipe | VeganRicha.com

Lets get on with some chocolate goodies for Valentine’s day, shall we. And Make this gorgeous vegan chocolate layer cake! I made this for our anniversary weekend and it worked like a charm to bring a huge smile on hubbs face with each bite. The cake is Moist, not too sweet and just the right amount of decadent for us.

This easy Vegan Chocolate Cake is layered with a smooth chocolate nut butter ganache glaze. I use smooth almond butter. Any smooth nut or seed butter should work. The cake ages really well and tastes best the next day as the ganache adds more moisture to it. Add fruit preserves like raspberry, apricot, blackberries between the layers. I use raw unrefined sugar in this cake, that I blend to powder in my blender before use. Use any fine or powdered sugar of choice.

This makes a big 8 inch layer cake. Don’t want the huge cake? make this individual Chocolate Layer Cake for One. No Bake.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Vegan Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache on a black plate kept on a Wood table

More chocolate goodness from the blog

Some No Bake Chocolate Pies here. 

These sharp and beautiful slices are by my new Kramer knife that hubbs got for me. He knows what will be appreciated! 

Vegan Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache. Simple Chocolate Layer Cake. Add raspberry or apricot preserves. #vegan #Soyfree #PalmOilfree #Recipe | VeganRicha.com

And while you are here, please do read this National Geographic article about how the Tiger Temple in Thailand, one of the premier attractions which claims monks live in harmony with the tigers, is connected to Wildlife parts trade, drugging and abusing of these magnificent wild beings. Updates about the temple can be followed on this facebook page.  

Vegan Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache. Simple Chocolate Layer Cake. Add raspberry or apricot preserves. Soy-free Palm Oil-free Recipe | VeganRicha.com

Vegan Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache

4.94 from 46 votes
By: Vegan Richa
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Vegan Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache. Simple Chocolate Layer Cake. Add raspberry or apricot preserves. Soy-free Palm Oil-free Recipe
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Ingredients 
 

Cake : makes two 8 inch pans

Dry:

  • 1 cup wheat flour
  • 1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/4 cup powdered vegan sugar, , 2 Tbsp more for sweeter - blend raw sugar to fine powder to use or use wholesome sweeeteners vegan powdered sugar
  • 1/2 scant tsp salt

Wet:

  • 1 1/2 cups non dairy milk, divided
  • 1/3 cup non dairy chocolate chips or bar, semi sweet chips, or dark chocolate for dark/bittersweet cake
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 1 tsp vinegar, apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup

Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup non dairy milk
  • 1/3-1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2/3 cup or more non dairy semi sweet chocolate like Enjoy Life
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter or almond butter or other seed or nut butter
  • Fruit preserves like raspberry, apricot, cherry (optional)

Instructions 

Cake:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F / 170ºc. In a bowl, whisk all the dry ingredients for the cake really well.
  • In another bowl, heat 1 cup of non dairy milk and chocolate until just about hot (heat in the microwave or stove top). Whisk until chocolate is melted. Add in the rest of the wet ingredients and 1/2 cup non dairy milk and mix in until smooth..
  • Add the dry to the wet and mix to make a smooth batter.
  • Transfer batter to two greased or parchment lined 8 inch cake pans.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F / 170ºc for 30 to 34 minutes. or until toothpick from the center comes out clean. Do not overbake as the cakes can get crusty or dry.
  • Let the cakes cool for 10 minutes then remove from the pan and cool on the rack completely before adding a glaze or ganache. Cover the cakes with a towel while it is cooling to prevent drying out. To shorten the cooling time, cover the cakes with a towel or parchment or a lid and place in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.

Ganache:

  • Heat the non dairy milk + sugar in a pan over medium heat, until just about hot. Mix well. Add in the chocolate, mix once and take the pan off heat. Keep mixing until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
  • Add in the vanilla and peanut butter or other nut butter. Mix until smooth. Chill in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes to thicken to desired consistency.
  • Pour some of the ganache on one cake. Spread using a spatula to even out if needed. Let the ganache set in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes or freezer for 10.
  • Add a thin even layer of fruit preserves on the other cake (optional) (warm the preserves to make them easier to spread if needed). Place this cake on top of the cake with the ganache glaze. Pour the rest of the glaze over the top cake. Spread using a spatula if needed. Let the ganache set in the refrigerator for half an hour. If you have more ganache left, pour over the set glaze for another layer. Cover the cake and let it chill for a few hours before serving.

Video

Notes

For a nut-free ganache, you can also use more chocolate (add a 1/4 cup more when you add the 2/3 cup) and melt it in. Chill to thicken in the fridge or the freezer and use.
For Glutenfree chocolate layer cake see this. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 315kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 238mg, Potassium: 123mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 26g, Calcium: 85mg, Iron: 2.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Vegan Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache. Simple Chocolate Layer Cake. Add raspberry or apricot preserves. Soy-free Palm Oil-free Recipe | VeganRicha.com

Tips to make a great vegan chocolate cake

  • Chocolate cakes can tend to dry out or get hard edges if baked too long. If your cake tends to do that, reduce the baking time by 5 mins. Ovens heat differently, the pans, cocoa/chocolate brand etc add to the iffy behavior.
  • A ganache or glaze will help add moisture to the cake. Let the cake chill with the ganache for a few hours for best results of overall moisture. 
  • If the cake is overbaked (too dry). crumble it up, add some ganache and make into cake snack balls
  • Use good quality chocolate. It adds amazing flavor and texture.

About Richa

Hi, I'm Richa! I create flavorful plant based recipes that are inspired by my Indian upbringing, including many gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options.

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4.94 from 46 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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271 Comments

  1. Rita says:

    5 stars
    As tempting as it is to bake this RIGHT AWAY, I’ll save this recipe for my better half. His birthday is in a week and I’d been looking for the perfect vegan cake recipe. FOUND IT! 😀

    Happy Valentine’s Richa, and thanks for the awesome recipe! Love, Rita xo

    1. Richa says:

      Awesome!

      1. Freda says:

        5 stars
        Curious … does this cake freeze well? How about the Glaze? I am hoping to prepare in advance for an upcoming birthday.

        1. Richa says:

          I havent tried it, but people have frozen it. If the glaze texture changes, add another layer of glaze before serving.

  2. Sarah says:

    Hi
    Is wheat flour normal plain white flour or is it whole wheat (whole meal) flour?
    Thanks… Cake sounds delicious!

    1. Richa says:

      whole wheat flour. whole wheat pastry flour will work too. I use whole wheat.

      1. Moureen says:

        5 stars
        Can u just use 2cups all purpose flour

        1. Richa says:

          yes.

  3. Ethan W. says:

    5 stars
    Looks like a cake for special occasions! Great job, can’t wait to try and recreate it.

  4. Jan says:

    5 stars
    Thank you Richa for sharing this lovely chocolate layer cake with us
    It looks delicious and soft texture.

    Happy St. Valentine’s day to you!

  5. Prerna says:

    5 stars
    Super tempting Richa!!!

  6. RY says:

    Looks so yummy! Can you make this with carob chips and carob powder?

    1. Richa says:

      I don’t think so. the flavor and texture will be quite different and will need adjustments.

  7. Shweta Lodha says:

    4 stars
    Will definitely try it. One cup is approximately how much in grams.

  8. Liliana says:

    Hi,
    This looks amazing! I’ll be making it for Valentine’s day. In the wet ingredients it calls for 1/3 cup non dairy chocolate. Is that chocolate milk? Or chocolate chips?

    Thanks,
    Liliana

    1. Richa says:

      chocolate chips or bar. semi sweet or dark chocolate for a darker cake.

  9. Kaylee C says:

    Hi! What types of flour would you recommend to make this gluten free?

  10. Kirsty says:

    I don’t “do” Valentine’s Day, but my birthday is 10 days later and this is definitely going to be my celebratory cake!

    1. Richa says:

      Happy Birthday in Advance!

      1. Kirty says:

        Thank you 🙂