Whole Food Plant Based (Vegan) Winter Cake

As you know, we've been playing around with some recipes that fall in a line with a whole food plant based lifestyle. Have you seen the documentary "Forks over knives"? Yeah, it's that type of eating. And we are really enjoying it. It's balanced, filling, and non restrictive. Definitely a lifestyle (which is good, because I'm not about that diet culture life).

So, since the holidays are here, I figured I'd test out a recipe inspired by my super talented friend Amber of Eat Your F@#*ing Vegetables. Amber shares such creative recipes and this recipe is no different.

The icing recipe was inspired by this recipe from Nora Cooks.

This cake turned out moist, light, flavorful, with that perfect coco Christmas spice from the Dak's Chocolate Crave. I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you give it a try!

Ingredients

3 1⁄2 c

unbleached white flour (make sure to sift it before measuring)

1 1⁄2 c

white sugar (more if you like it very sweet)

2 t

Vanilla Extract

1 cn

Coconut La Croix (or any flavor, the taste turns out very subtle in the cake)

4 T

unsweetened apple sauce

1 ds

Dak's chocolate crave

1 c

raw cashews (soaked if not using a high speed blender)

1 t

orange juice

1⁄4 c

unsweetened coconut milk

1 t

Vanilla Extract

3 T

Pure Maple Syrup

optional garnishes (cinnamon sticks, cranberries, rosemary, etc)

Instructions

Add all your flour, sugar, and 2 tsp vanilla extract to a bowl or stand mixer.

Mix the dry ingredients until well combined.

Next add your can of La Croix (or soda water of choice), and apple sauce, then mix until well combined.

Pour the cake batter into two cake pans lined with parchment paper and lightly dusted with potato starch.

Sprinkle Dak's chocolate crave on top of both cake batters.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes, or as soon as a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow the cakes to cool at least an hour (until they are cool to the touch).

While the cakes cool make your icing!

Add the remainder of your ingredients (besides your garnishes) to a high powered blender or food processor.

Blend until a creamy texture is acheived.

Once your cakes have cooled, flip them over onto your serving dish, ice in between the layer and on top, decorate and ENJOY the flavors of the holidays!