Last Updated on October 2, 2022
This Vegan Chocolate Cake is so easy to make and uses simple ingredients.
A chocolate cake that is similar to what some may know as Crazy Cake, Depression Cake or even Wacky Cake.
It is a cake recipe that has been passed down though generations in my family as I’m sure it has in most families.
And because everyone at one time or another has had this super rich chocolate cake, I thought it was time to update this classic cake.
What’s the difference between this vegan chocolate cake and a crazy cake?
In this cake I added much less sugar, added cinnamon, espresso powder, and mixed the batter in a bowl!
Yes, I said mixed the batter in a bowl.
Because you see, traditionally the crazy cake was mixed right in the cake pan.
I personally would rather mix the batter in a bowl to make sure I blend everything together well before baking.
But whichever way you mix it, this vegan cake is so moist and bursting with a rich chocolatey goodness.
It is my family’s new favorite and I am sure it will be yours!
Ingredients needed for the Vegan Chocolate Cake
- Flour – A white all purpose flour is perfect for this cake.
- Sugar – Pure cane sugar was used for this cake.
- Salt – The salt enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
- Baking Soda – The baking soda is needed to help the cake rise.
- Powdered Cocoa – Adds the rich deep chocolate flavor to the cake.
- Oil – In this cake I used avocado oil. The oil will keep the cake tender, moist and fluffy in texture.
- Vinegar – I used an apple cider vinegar in this cake. The vinegar reacts with the baking soda to give the batter a rise as it bakes.
- Pure Vanilla Extract – The vanilla helps to enhance the other flavors in the cake.
- Warm Water – The water adds moisture to the batter which will give you a fluffier and lighter cake.
- Cinnamon – This warming spice can be optional. The sweet and woody flavor of cinnamon blends well with dark chocolate.
Ingredients for the frosting
- Margarine – A vegan margarine of your choice.
- Salt – Just a pinch of salt to help enhance the other flavors.
- Powdered Sugar – Powdered sugar dissolves without heat, which makes it perfect for a creamy thick sweet frosting.
- Espresso Powder – The espresso powder enhances and intensifies the chocolate in the cake. This is optional.
- Milk – I used a unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
- Pure Vanilla Extract – Vanilla adds a hint of vanilla to the frosting.
How to make this Vegan Chocolate Cake
Preheat the oven to 350° F.
In a large mixing bowl, add all the cake ingredients and stir until everything is well combined.
Pour into a 13 x 9 glass baking dish.
Place into the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Check by lightly pushing on the top, it should bounce back.
Once the cake is done, remove from the oven and let the cake completely cool before frosting.
How to make the frosting
In a medium mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and blend with a hand or free standing mixer until creamy.
Spread the frosting on the cake, cut and enjoy!
Vegan Chocolate Cake
Equipment
- 1 Free-standing mixer or hand mixer
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 3 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1/3 Cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Baking Soda
- 3/4 Cup Oil I used avocado oil.
- 2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/2 Cup Warm Water
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
Frosting
- 1/2 Cup Vegan Margarine
- 1 Pinch Salt
- 1 lb. Powdered Sugar
- 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 Cup Plant Based Milk I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
- 1 tsp Espresso Powder
Instructions
How to make the cake.
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all the cake ingredients and stir until everything is well combined.
- Pour into a 13 x 9 glass baking dish.
- Place into the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Check by lightly pushing on the top, it should bounce back.
- Once the cake is done, remove from the oven and let the cake completely cool before frosting.
How to make the frosting.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and blend with a hand or free standing mixer until creamy.
- Spread the frosting on the cake, cut and enjoy!
