This small batch chocolate is so RICH and CHOCOLATEY, with a fluffy gluten-free texture and fruit-dyed pink vegan buttercream. Excellent for a candy Valentine’s Day deal with, or another event!
What began as a mission to create a cute mini cake for Valentine’s Day changed into a weekend of nonstop cake testing (I believe there have been 8 trial runs…perhaps 9) and perfecting my new favourite vegan gluten-free chocolate cake recipe. As a result of though I’ve different of chocolate cake recipes I like – like this paleo-friendly layer cake or this oil-free recipe – I simply can’t resist the problem of creating a brand new one, a good fluffier one, a perfect-for-heart-shaped-baking-and-pink-frosting one. That is THAT ONE.
How To Make A Small Batch Chocolate Cake
By “small batch” I imply 6-inch, however there’s nonetheless sufficient batter for two thick layers and nonetheless sufficient slices for simply serving 8 individuals or so. We’ll get into the decor particulars in a bit bit, for now let’s deal with the vegan gluten-free batter…
Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Elements
My primary focus in creating this recipe was the crumb texture. I needed it to be mild, fluffy, outlined, moist – all these scrumptious cake adjectives. Therefore why it took so many check batches, and therefore why this isn’t the shortest ingredient checklist you’ll ever see. However I promise it’s price it, and I promise you’ll get the very best texture outcomes when you measure by weight as a substitute of quantity to make sure your ratios are similar to mine.
The moist substances:
Almond milk + apple cider vinegar. A.okay.a. vegan “buttermilk”.
Flax eggs. Or common rooster eggs when you aren’t vegan.
Coconut oil. Or one other impartial flavored oil like avocado. Or melted vegan butter.
Vanilla extract.
The dry substances:
Flours. We’re utilizing a mix of three: gluten-free all function, almond, and coconut. The gluten-free binds and holds all the pieces collectively, the almond provides moisture and an outlined texture, the coconut provides fluff and prevents any mushy-ness.
Coconut sugar. I did check with granulated sugar, and it was a bit dry. Coconut is ideal, brown sugar could be superb too.
Cocoa powder. Duh.
Espresso powder. Not important, however nice for enhancing the wealthy chocolatey taste.
Baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
I do know that’s a good few substances, however scroll down and simply have a look at that texture…😍
Dairy-Free Naturally Dyed Pink Buttercream
Okay however again to the Valentine’s vibe! Now that we’ve nailed the cake half (and let it cool utterly earlier than frosting, in fact), it’s time to have enjoyable with the pink decor. I opted for all pure, fruit-based adornments for this cake: pitaya pink buttercream, a pitaya dusting, and strawberry cutout hearts. You could possibly additionally use sprinkles or recent berries or shredded coconut “sprinkles” or sweet hearts or the rest festive and candy.
Pitaya powder is one among my favourite pure meals colorings as a result of it’s unbelievably vibrant and simply has a really gentle barely candy taste. You simply want a teaspoon or two for the whole batch of buttercream, however modify to your personal liking. You could possibly additionally attempt beetroot powder, however in my expertise it’s extra of a boring pink than a purple-pink like pitaya. You could possibly additionally skip the cooling completely, and simply go together with white buttercream and colourful decorations on high.
Observe! This can be a full-sized batch of buttercream though it’s only a 6-inch cake. Should you plan to cowl the perimeters utterly, you’ll need a full batch. If you wish to simply frost in-between the layers and on high (bare cake fashion), you may half the batch.
Ideas For Baking The Sweetest Valentine’s Day Cake
Don’t underbake the truffles. Should you bounce-back or toothpick check and you may’t fairly inform if it’s finished, add 5 extra minutes. Egg-free truffles can simply sink within the center when you don’t be sure that it’s absolutely baked by way of within the center, and we don’t need that.
Don’t have a 6 inch cake pan? You possibly can bake in a 9×9″ sq. pan as effectively and simply have a single layer cake as a substitute, however you’ll need to extend the bake time by 10-Quarter-hour.
Let the truffles cool COMPLETELY. That is important earlier than layering or frosting. Ideally in case you have time, I like to relax the truffles in a single day to make frosting best.
Bake and serve with the cutest festive Valentine’s Day towels in your kitchen! Geometry Home (affiliate hyperlink) is the one model of kitchen towels I take advantage of in my kitchen as a result of they’re essentially the most absorbent and are available an abundance of BEAUTIFUL designs (actually over 30 pages of sample choices!). They simply launch their restricted version Valentine’s assortment and I snagged some candy ones just like the black and white coronary heart and strawberry ones you see all through this submit. You should utilize code NATALIE15 for 15% off any of their attractive towels HERE.
This small batch chocolate is so RICH and CHOCOLATEY, with a fluffy gluten-free texture and fruit-dyed pink vegan buttercream. Excellent for a candy Valentine’s Day deal with, or another event!
Stir the apple cider vinegar into the almond milk, and put aside for 10 minutes.
In a big mixing bowl, mix flours, cocoa powder, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, espresso powder, and salt. Whisk to sift/mix.
In a separate bowl, mix the coconut oil, flax eggs, almond milk combination, and vanilla. Whisk collectively.
Add moist to dry, and stir to kind a thick batter.
Divide evenly between the 2 ready pans (I like to make use of a scale for this), and clean the tops.
Bake for 28-Half-hour, or till the middle of the cake bounces again when evenly pressed.
Cool for Half-hour within the pan, then flip/take away from the pans and switch to a wire rack to chill utterly. (Ideally wrap and refrigerate in a single day earlier than frosting, it would make frosting simpler, however not important)
For the frosting:
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with a hand mixer, beat the softened butter on excessive till fluffy.
Add powdered sugar slowly on low velocity
As soon as it’s principally included, add the vanilla, milk, and pitaya (dragonfruit) powder.
Flip the mixer as much as excessive velocity and whip for an addition 30 seconds.
Frost and layer the cooled truffles, high with berries or decor of alternative. Slice and serve.
Notes
*Or actual eggs if not vegan, examined with each.
**Or do this pink raspberry frosting that’s made with uncooked cashews if you’re in search of one thing with out refined sugar/vegan butter.
***That is my favourite pure pink meals coloring, however you should utilize beet powder (not as vibrant) or meals coloring as effectively.
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