The Ultimate Chocolate Cake

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