• Question: Dear Herbivore,

    I'm looking to bake a vegan dessert for a new coworker who has recently decided to eat vegan style. Do you have a good cookie recipe or cake recipe that might do the trick? Love from Piedmont. Ben - Anonymous
  • Answer:

    Dear Ben - Anonymous,

    Thanks for your question!

    I am sharing a favorite family cake recipe, which vegans & non-vegans adore. Though I’m sure you’re a pro, this recipe is super easy - it’s the only cake my non-cooking mother has perfected.

    Love to you & all of Piedmont, vegan-style.

    Enjoy!

    -The Herbivore

    Chocolate & Raspberry Cake

    Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl:

    • 1  2/3 c brown sugar (use a vegan version!)*
    • 1  2/3 c white flour
    • 1  1/2 c whole wheat pastry flour
    • 1 c cocoa powder (unsweetened, of course), sifted
    • 2  1/4 t baking soda
    • 3/4 t salt

    Combine wet ingredients in a separate bowl:

    • 2  1/4 c water, @ room temperature
    • 2/3 c pure maple syrup, @ room temperature
    • 2/3 c canola oil
    • 2 T + 3/4 t apple cider vinegar
    • 1 T + 1/3 t vanilla

    Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients by hand & stir until combined. Do not overmix! Pour into a 9 x 13 cake pan (greased with Earth Balance or other vegan margarine). Bake in preheated oven at 350F for 35-40 minutes (until fork/knife comes out clean and/or cake springs back when touched in the center). Remove from oven & let it cool.

    Top with raspberry jam and garnish with fresh berries.

    *Super-vegan-style tip: the uninitiated may not realize that sugar is often processed with bone char, making it non-vegan. I have provided a link to one of my favorite (and easily found) vegan options from a company that promises not to use bone char in their refining process.