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    Home » Cake Recipes

    The Chocolate Torte from Vegan Chocolate Cookbook

    Published: Feb 6, 2014 · Modified: Jul 10, 2015 by Richa 92 Comments

    The Chocolate Torte from Vegan Chocolate

     

    Everything you know about chocolate is about to change. Or atleast everything I knew about it (which wasn’t much really), I packed it up in a tiny box and threw it away. Fran Costigan’s book Vegan Chocolate: Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts, will open up a new world of deliciousness and inspire you to make these intricate desserts and win over anyone and everyone and friends of everyone too.

    Ever made a ganache that is so smooth and silky that you want to finish the entire bowl. A cake that is so luscious, rich and decadent that you cannot stop moaning, yes moaning with every bite. And all of this without any dairy, eggs, butter, margarine and white sugar. There is no long whipping of the fats and sugar to make a simple cake. Just the wet ingredients emulsified and added to well whisked dry ingredients and done. The oils, fats and sugar are there to make a decadent result but they are all minimally processed and also not used in the large quantities you would see in a usual butter laden dessert. 


    The book begins with details about the ingredients, Sweeteners, equipment, types of chocolates. The chapters include Truffles, Cakes(Chocolate Almond Orange Olive oil cake, Brownie pudding Cakelettes, black bottom cupcakes!), Showstoppers(Brooklyn Blackout Cake, Opera Cake, Sachertorte) Cookies, bars, Pies (Brownies, Biscottis, Moon Pies) and Tarts, Creams and puddings (Raspberry chocolate silk Tarts), Frozen desserts (Brownie crumble Ice cream, chocolate Margarita Ice cream), beverages (hot cocoas, smoothies) and master recipes for frostings, glazes, ganaches. The book is laid out beautifully, with a very intuitive recipe flow. On top of that the photographs by Kate Lewis make the book a work of art.
    It is a book you want out on your kitchen counter or your coffee table, so it always catches someone’s eye and you can say that That is a freaking Vegan Desserts book! That insanely fudgy looking cake is the most delicious chocolate cake, vegan or not 🙂

    I have to make all of the Ice creams this summer and the gorgeous Chocolate cherry Miroir Cake and the Eclairs!, Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie and just about everything else from this book.



    Chef Fran Costigan is an internationally recognized culinary instructor, author, and consultant whose innovative recipes marry healthy eating with sumptuous tastes. Fran uses organic and minimally processed ingredients to make rich moist cakes, flaky piecrusts, delightful cookies and bars, creamy puddings and much more. 

    Fran walks you through the technique, processes and tips in each recipe. Hence, the recipes do seem long. That is the only thing to consider about buying this book. A good number of the recipes need a bit of effort and sometimes patience and practice. Believe you me, that it is all worth it To get the very delicious results. 

    I made the Chocolate Torte to Live for. It is something to definitely try once in your life. Soft moist and perfectly chocolatey. I also made the Mocha Creme Brûlée. I did not have a blow torch, so I put it in the oven to broil for a few to melt the sugar on top. Hence, a more granulated look to the Brulee (pictured above). My custard/brulee disliking husband ate a good whole lot! 

    I mean seriously this Cake(pictured below) stayed in the refrigerator for the week and every time I took a piece I was reminded of how perfect it was and how easily it would impress anyone with any dietary status. And it came out this way even with my cutting the recipe down and not following all of Fran’s rules! I never have my stuff Mise en place 🙂

    Thank you Fran and Running Press for the Review copy.

    Chocolate Torte

    Recipes reprinted with permission from Vegan Chocolate: Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts
    >, Running Press

    The Vegan Chocolate Torte To Live For

    This is the cake that started it all for me over 20 years ago. I worked for many months perfecting the best-ever chocolate cake that just happened to be vegan, and made without any white sugar or palm oil shortening. Gluten-free and no-oil added versions of this cake are found in Vegan Chocolate. Glazing a single layer with Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache Glaze results in a torte that is so pretty, it needs no embellishment.

    Note: For a layer cake, simply double all the ingredients.

    Makes One 9-inch round layer.
    1/2 cup organic whole wheat pastry flour
    1/2 cup organic all-purpose flour
    1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon Dutch-process cocoa powder
    1/4 cup organic sugar, ground fine in a blender
    1/2 tsp salt
    1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
    1 teaspoon baking soda
    1/4 cup mild tasting extra virgin olive oil, or any neutral vegetable oil, more for the pan
    1/2 cup pure maple syrup, grade B or dark amber
    3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons any nondairy milk
    11/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    1/2 teaspoon chocolate extract (optional)
    1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

    Position a rack in middle of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Oil sides and bottom of a 9×3 inch round cake pan with oil, and line the bottom with parchment paper cut to fit. Do not oil the paper.
    Place a wire mesh strainer over medium bowl. Add the whole wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to strainer, and whisk to sift ingredients into bowl. Whisk to aerate and distribute ingredients.
    In a separate medium bowl, whisk oil, maple syrup, nondairy milk, extracts, and vinegar until thoroughly blended.
    Pour into dry mixture and whisk until batter is smooth. (The batter is fairly thin.) Pour batter into pan.
    Tap pan lightly on the counter to pop some of the air bubbles. Bake on center rack for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is set, sides have started to pull away from the pan, and a cake tester inserted in center of cake comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
    Cool pan on wire rack for 5 minutes. Run a thin knife between the cake and inside of pan, and invert
    onto rack. Remove pan and carefully peel off parchment paper. Invert again, topside up on rack, to cool
    completely.
    To protect the layer from cracking, slide a cardboard circle (or another flat surface) underneath. Enclose in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 30 minutes until chilled before glazing.

    Recipes reprinted with permission from VEGAN CHOCOLATE: Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts by Fran Costigan, Running Press

    Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache Glaze

    It will take longer to read this recipe than to make it, but its success is all about the quality and taste of the chocolate and following the details in the recipe. As long as you stay within the percentages listed, any premium quality chocolate you enjoy eating is the one to use. The important part is to chop the chocolate very fine and to strain the hot milk. Allowing the chocolate to melt into the milk for the full 4 minutes is not optional. And stir only until the chocolate and milk are emulsified—that is, glossy and smooth. Over-mixing may turn your silken ganache gritty. If the chocolate has not completely melted after the ganache is mixed, bring the water in the saucepan on the stove to a simmer and turn off the heat. Place the bowl of ganache on the saucepan for a few minutes, then stir very gently until chocolate has melted and the ganache is smooth.

    Makes about 2 cups

    8 ounces vegan bittersweet chocolate (70 to 72%), finely chopped
    11/2 cups almond milk or soymilk
    2 Tablespoons organic granulated sugar. 18 gms
    Pinch fine sea salt
    1 1⁄4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
    2 teaspoons mild tasting extra-virgin olive oil (optional but recommended for sheen)

    Add the chocolate to a heatproof bowl and set aside while you heat the milk. Pour the milk into a small saucepan. Add the sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat, whisking a few times to a low boil.
    Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Pour the hot milk over the chopped chocolate all at once. Rotate the bowl so the chocolate is completely submerged. Cover the bowl with a plate and let stand undisturbed for 4 minutes. Add the vanilla and olive oil (if using) and whisk from the center out only until smooth and glossy. Keep the bowl of ganache at room temperature while you test the final consistency. Dip a teaspoon into the ganache, set the coated spoon on a small plate, and refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes. After chilling, the ganache on the spoon should be smooth and should still taste creamy. It is unlikely, but if the glaze is too firm, add a tablespoon of room temperature milk, and repeat the test. Add a second tablespoon if needed. Pass the ganache through a strainer into a bowl. Whisking slowly will speed the process. Allow the ganache to thicken at room temperature for 15 to 25 minutes, or until it will coat a spoon thickly with minimal dripping, but remain pourable. Stir a few times from the outside into the center before glazing.

    Keeping: The glaze can be refrigerated in a tightly closed container for up to five days and frozen for up to one month. The glaze hardens when it is cold and will need to be reheated. To reheat, spoon the glaze into a heatproof bowl that fits over a saucepan of barely simmering water. When about two-thirds of the glaze is melted, stir gently until it is smooth. Adjust the consistency as needed by stirring warm nondairy milk into the glaze a little at a time



    Here is Fran’s book Trailer! Love the Torte, love the kitchen and that slide out pantry. I need that two way pantry in my life.



    The publishers are also giving away one copy of the book to one of the blog readers! This is the perfect gift for Valentines Day or any day I tell you. The Giveaway is open to US residents only. You can also buy the book here. 

    Giveaway is now over.

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    1. Dee

      May 05, 2021 at 12:54 pm

      Hi! Wondering if coconut oil is a suitable substitute for the olive oil in the ganache? Thanks for all the lovely (and delicious) recipes 😋 ~ Dee

      Reply
    2. Rachita

      September 30, 2018 at 5:24 pm

      The ganache did not thicken for me at all, dunno what went wrong. Sitting in the fridge for a full day, still not usable.

      Reply
      • Richa

        September 30, 2018 at 9:55 pm

        it might b the type of chocolate. You can melt some pure chocolate and mix it in into the ganache

        Reply
    3. VR

      November 01, 2017 at 10:26 pm

      Oh. My. Goodness. I need some of this chocolate cake!!! <3

      Reply
    4. Paayel

      April 01, 2017 at 11:55 pm

      What is the substitute for pastry flour?

      Reply
      • Richa

        April 02, 2017 at 10:33 am

        regular whole wheat flour or atta flour

        Reply
    5. Ozum

      January 01, 2016 at 12:58 am

      Wow! Just made this for my mom’s birthday and it was the absolute best chocolate cake I have ever made and ate =) I made one layer cake and halved the ganache ingredients. It was the perfect ratio. Very decadent cake. This cake will change the minds of non-vegans about vegan food. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 01, 2016 at 10:49 am

        Awesome!!

        Reply
    6. Danica

      September 09, 2015 at 4:53 pm

      Is there a way to make this gluten free?

      Reply
      • Richa

        September 09, 2015 at 7:48 pm

        I haven’t tried it. You can try it with a gluten-free all purpose blend that has xanthan gum mixed in such as bob’s red mill

        Reply
    7. Anonymous

      July 30, 2014 at 6:01 pm

      can i use something else instead of male syrup?

      Reply
    8. Anonymous

      March 04, 2014 at 6:55 am

      Can you please suggest the brands for vegan chocolate bar and chocolate chips?
      How can I substitute maple syrup with vegan sugar?

      Reply
    9. Maria

      February 20, 2014 at 2:32 am

      Richa loved the clicks and the recipe kudos to you 🙂

      Reply
    10. Unknown

      February 14, 2014 at 4:16 pm

      Richa – any suggestions on how to convert it to GF, Thanks.

      Reply
    11. Suzi

      February 14, 2014 at 4:20 am

      Chocolate Pie!

      Reply
    12. Beth T

      February 14, 2014 at 1:22 am

      I miss rich chocolate cake.

      Reply
    13. Michelle

      February 13, 2014 at 7:53 pm

      cannolis

      Reply
    14. Beth Roessner

      February 13, 2014 at 12:20 am

      I can haz all the things?

      Reply
    15. Lauryn Linley

      February 12, 2014 at 7:41 pm

      I’ve been reading so many amazing things about this cookbook! I’d love to win a copy of it (but if I don’t, I’m sure I’ll end up buying it anyway haha)! I love me some chocolate mmmmmhm 🙂

      Reply
    16. Karen Delaney

      February 11, 2014 at 10:02 pm

      Chocolate mousse

      Reply
    17. sophiesfoodiefiles

      February 11, 2014 at 9:40 pm

      This book sounds really interesting & this chocolate cake with that lovely frosting looks amazing!

      Reply
    18. Joey

      February 11, 2014 at 11:10 am

      Wow! I was on the hunt for a Valentine’s recipe and think I may have just found it. The creme brulee looks amazing too!

      Reply
    19. Unknown

      February 10, 2014 at 7:57 pm

      This looks so delicious, I would love to make this for my son on valentines day. If any of you have tried the gluten free version please share. Thank you

      Reply
    20. Corrine Greenfield

      February 10, 2014 at 5:09 am

      Creamy chocolate desserts that I can buy in the store.

      Reply
    21. Anonymous

      February 10, 2014 at 2:12 am

      Canolis

      Reply
    22. Rebecca

      February 10, 2014 at 1:26 am

      I really miss tiramisu

      Reply
    23. Angel

      February 10, 2014 at 1:14 am

      Off the top of my head, I’m really not sure of a chocolate dessert that I miss more than any others. I just miss the convenience of having all sorts of chocolatey treats available in the stores or at restaurants and parties. However, I still have chocolate almost daily so, it’s a good ole fried donut that I miss the most! I used to only eat donuts about once a year but, I’m wayyy past due for my donut fix!

      Reply
    24. Leigh

      February 09, 2014 at 10:15 pm

      I can’t wait to make this, thank you for sharing/posting!

      Reply
    25. kate johnson

      February 09, 2014 at 8:21 pm

      Baby cake

      Reply
    26. thrivelovelive

      February 09, 2014 at 7:32 pm

      I really, really miss chocolate glazed donuts and red velvet cake!

      Reply
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