The Ultimate Chocolate Cake

Name: The Ultimate Chocolate Cake
Yield: Serves 6–8
Ingredients: 200 ml (7 fl oz/scant 1 cup) water (use the water from soaking the dates); 50 g (2 oz/½ cup) cacao powder; 150 g (5 oz) vegan butter, plus extra for greasing; 1 vanilla pod (bean), split and the seeds scraped out, or 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 3 tablespoons cacao powder; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; grated chocolate; 2 tablespoons peanut butter (or any nut butter will do); 150 g (5 oz/¾ cup) soft brown sugar; 150 g (5 oz) good-quality, dairy-free dark chocolate, with at least 70% cocoa solids, broken into small pieces; 250 ml (8½ fl oz/1 cup) plant milk (I like oat milk); 250 g (9 oz/2 cups) self raising flour; chocolate buttons; 560 g (20 oz) coconut cream; 60 ml (2 fl oz/¼ cup) maple syrup; 3 tablespoons aquafaba (liquid from tinned chickpeas); Oreo cookies; 250 g (9 oz) runny peanut butter; 1 large or 2 small avocados; 200 g (7 oz) Medjool dates, pitted; pinch of salt; selection of fruits and berries

Preparation info

Serves
6–8

Difficulty
Medium

Appears in

Celebrate

By Bettina Campolucci Bordi

Published 2021

About

This cake is heavy, indulgent, slightly sticky and sweet, with a hint of saltiness. It works well for both children and adults, and it’s truly one for all the chocolate lovers out there. In terms of toppings, you can be as sparse or as generous as you like, using cookie, chocolate or fruit toppings.

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake

150 g (5 oz) vegan butter, plus extra for greasing
150 g (

Cake
Vegan

Method

Before making the cake, soften the dates for the salted caramel filling by soaking them in a bowl filled with boiling water for 10–15 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 180°C 350°F/gas 4). Grease a 21