The holiday season can be stressful for many of us. The month of December goes by in a flash. You maybe haven't even started shopping. You maybe haven't even started your lists!
You talk to friends that have their holiday cards printed, addressed, stamped and ready to go. Their lists have long been written. They've already wrapped and put presents under their trees. You don't have a tree put up yet. It's been two years since you've done a family holiday card.
Feelings of inadequacies start to creep up and you feel a little like a holiday failure. There's only one solution to this holiday conundrum.
You bake an awesome chocolate cake and nothing else matters.
I did go by Michael's to get supplies for my daughter's class project. I found these adorable holiday stencils from Martha Stewart on sale for less than $5.
Maybe you need a break from all the Christmas cookie baking marathons. Maybe you are just having a massive chocolate craving like I was. You don't even need a reason. Just make this chocolate cake and take a bite. It's seriously wonderful. 🙂
Vegan Chocolate Cake
slightly adapted from The Post Punk Kitchen
¼ dark chocolate chips
¼ cup hot brewed coffee (I used espresso)
1 cup almond milk (or your favorite non-dairy milk)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
¾ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup cocoa powder, Dutch-processed or regular (or a mix of both)
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line the bottom of an 8 inch cake pan and spray with baking spray.
Put the chocolate chips in a medium bowl with hot coffee. Let it stand, stirring occasionally until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.
Whisk together the almond milk (or whatever milk you chose) and vinegar in a large bowl, and set aside for a few minutes to curdle (yes, you're making a vegan "buttermilk"). Add the sugar, oil, vanilla and mix well.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add in two batches to wet ingredients and beat until no large lumps remain. If you have a some tiny lumps in the batter, not a huge problem. 
Pour in the batter and bake for 32 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted through the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.
When cake is cooled, sift on your confectioner's sugar or whichever glaze you prefer. Dig in!
How are your holiday preparations going? Are you an organized list maker or do you lose your lists like I do once you finally get to making them?;)
This looks delicious! I would love if you shared this in my holiday recipes Blog Hop. Enter it for a chance at a Wilton Pre-Baked Gingerbread Tree Kit! http://bit.ly/vbyp71
Lora-Your cake is gorgeous, and vegan, too. I'll be making this one for Christmas Eve and off to Michael's to get the stencils, with my list;)
I'm not a vegan but I do love vegan recipes and this is definitely one I would try and recommend. The presentation is beautiful! I wouldn't mind a slice of that right now actually! 🙂
Gorgeous and incredibly yummy looking. WOW!
I need a bite right now! Really I need an entire piece and maybe seconds. It looks so rich and sinful! I love your new header! So pretty. xoxo
Baking can make the stressful season seem enjoyable. And your cake? Divine. What a fabulous holiday sweet! Don't you know I should be reading this AFTER dinner. Now all I want is dessert. I love how you decorated with powdered sugar too. Thank you for sharing your recipe with me. I hope you have a wonderful week!
I'm not a vegan but I'll happily have a slice of this. I love how you decorated it with the icing sugar....so very pretty.
This is picture-perfect not only for vegans - but for those with food allergies and so must eat like a vegan. I have some nieces and nephews who feel so deprived around the Holidays - and always try to make a special cake for them. Keeping this and sending the recipe around. Love the stencil work - just makes me smile.
I'm guilty of all of the above! I have so much more to do before Christmas so it's going to be a mad blitz a few days before--just like every year. I have also been craving chocolate like crazy. I made one this weekend and guess what, I've had a few bites with my morning tea. It was just the ticket and I bet yours would be, too. I love, love the deep chocolate flavor espresso lends to choc. cakes. Yours is a winner.
Don't mind me taking a huge bite..oh Lora you did incredible job!!! Yummy!
Vegan buttermilk. Whoda thunk it. It worked out beautifully though. I'm jealous that your found those stencils at that price! That was a big score for you.
I've decorated and baked. There are two crocheted wool scarves sitting on my desk that'll be given to family members. I still need to make some smoked salt for my brother. A few other home made gifts and I'll be done with the exception of buying Dudette's gift. Now that we're all 'older,' the buying thing is done and we just enjoy each other. 🙂
Mmm, looks perfectly moist and rich 🙂 I've had amazing vegan chocolate dishes, so I am sure your cake was perfect! I love the powdered sugar snow flakes, too 🙂
What a gorgeous cake, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that it is vegan 🙂
Happy Monday!
Hi Lora! I definitely have not started one bit of my Christmas preparation. Guilty I know.. I wonder will reading up all of my fav. foodie friends post count? To be honest, I have not tried vegan chocolate cake before. I must really give it a go. Who says chocolate cake is bad for us? Not when it's vegan.. it's suppose to be a healthier option right [forgive me, if I sounded ignorant here] I will definitely bookmark this. Happy Christmas!! Huggss, Jo
love the new header lora !! the designs on the cake are so pretty....the cake looks moist & yummm
I am saving the recipe! it is vegan, but looks so moist and yummy!
Wow...thats just an awesome cake...loved it
I always welcome chocolate....
A vegan chocolate cake would be a great help to relax after a day of shopping...
Yay vegan! Love the addition of the coffee - it always tends to add another dimension to the flavour. Can't wait to try this recipe out!
Wow! I am not vegan but my sis is and I immediately sent the link to this to her! Looks amazing!!!