Vegan Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache. Sogt, Moist Fudgy Chocolate Layer Cake! Use sunbutter or coconut cream to make nut-free. Vegan Soy-free Palmoil-free Recipe. Jump to Recipe
Lets get on with some chocolate goodies for Valentine’s day, shall we. And Make this gorgeous vegan chocolate layer cake! I made this for our anniversary weekend and it worked like a charm to bring a huge smile on hubbs face with each bite. The cake is Moist, not too sweet and just the right amount of decadent for us.
This easy Vegan Chocolate Cake is layered with a smooth chocolate nut butter ganache glaze. I use smooth almond butter. Any smooth nut or seed butter should work. The cake ages really well and tastes best the next day as the ganache adds more moisture to it. Add fruit preserves like raspberry, apricot, blackberries between the layers. I use raw unrefined sugar in this cake, that I blend to powder in my blender before use. Use any fine or powdered sugar of choice.
This makes a big 8 inch layer cake. Don’t want the huge cake? make this individual Chocolate Layer Cake for One. No Bake.
What are your plans for the weekend?
More chocolate goodness from the blog
- Peanut or almond Butter, Chocolate Marble Cake.
- Brownies, loads of Brownies
- Vegan Almond Butter Blondies with Chocolate Chips
- Vegan Chocolate Pumpkin Cake and Cake Mix In a Jar
- Vegan Chocolate Layer Cake for One. No Bake. Made on stove top.
Some No Bake Chocolate Pies here.
These sharp and beautiful slices are by my new Kramer knife that hubbs got for me. He knows what will be appreciated!
And while you are here, please do read this National Geographic article about how the Tiger Temple in Thailand, one of the premier attractions which claims monks live in harmony with the tigers, is connected to Wildlife parts trade, drugging and abusing of these magnificent wild beings. Updates about the temple can be followed on this facebook page.
Recipe Card
Vegan Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache
Ingredients
Cake : makes two 8 inch pans
Dry:
- 1 cup (125 g) wheat flour
- 1 cup (125 g) unbleached all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (43 g) cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp (1.5 tsp) baking soda
- 1 1/4 cup (150 g) powdered vegan sugar , 2 Tbsp more for sweeter - blend raw sugar to fine powder to use or use wholesome sweeeteners vegan powdered sugar
- 1/2 (0.5) scant tsp salt
Wet:
- 1 1/2 cups (366 ml) non dairy milk divided
- 1/3 cup (60 g) non dairy chocolate chips or bar semi sweet chips, or dark chocolate for dark/bittersweet cake
- 1/3 cup (1.98 oz) oil
- 1 tsp vinegar apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp (1.5 tsp) vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
Glaze:
- 1/2 cup (122 ml) non dairy milk
- 1/3-1/2 cup (40 g) powdered sugar
- 2/3 cup (116.67 ml) or more non dairy semi sweet chocolate like Enjoy Life
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (62.5 g) smooth peanut butter or almond butter or other seed or nut butter
- Fruit preserves like raspberry apricot, cherry (optional)
Instructions
Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F / 170ºc. In a bowl, whisk all the dry ingredients for the cake really well.
- In another bowl, heat 1 cup of non dairy milk and chocolate until just about hot (heat in the microwave or stove top). Whisk until chocolate is melted. Add in the rest of the wet ingredients and 1/2 cup non dairy milk and mix in until smooth..
- Add the dry to the wet and mix to make a smooth batter.
- Transfer batter to two greased or parchment lined 8 inch cake pans.
- Bake at 350 degrees F / 170ºc for 30 to 34 minutes. or until toothpick from the center comes out clean. Do not overbake as the cakes can get crusty or dry.
- Let the cakes cool for 10 minutes then remove from the pan and cool on the rack completely before adding a glaze or ganache. Cover the cakes with a towel while it is cooling to prevent drying out. To shorten the cooling time, cover the cakes with a towel or parchment or a lid and place in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
Ganache:
- Heat the non dairy milk + sugar in a pan over medium heat, until just about hot. Mix well. Add in the chocolate, mix once and take the pan off heat. Keep mixing until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Add in the vanilla and peanut butter or other nut butter. Mix until smooth. Chill in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes to thicken to desired consistency.
- Pour some of the ganache on one cake. Spread using a spatula to even out if needed. Let the ganache set in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes or freezer for 10.
- Add a thin even layer of fruit preserves on the other cake (optional) (warm the preserves to make them easier to spread if needed). Place this cake on top of the cake with the ganache glaze. Pour the rest of the glaze over the top cake. Spread using a spatula if needed. Let the ganache set in the refrigerator for half an hour. If you have more ganache left, pour over the set glaze for another layer. Cover the cake and let it chill for a few hours before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Tips to make a great vegan chocolate cake
- Chocolate cakes can tend to dry out or get hard edges if baked too long. If your cake tends to do that, reduce the baking time by 5 mins. Ovens heat differently, the pans, cocoa/chocolate brand etc add to the iffy behavior.
- A ganache or glaze will help add moisture to the cake. Let the cake chill with the ganache for a few hours for best results of overall moisture.
- If the cake is overbaked (too dry). crumble it up, add some ganache and make into cake snack balls
- Use good quality chocolate. It adds amazing flavor and texture.
Sharan
This turned out so well! I used whole wheat pastry flour, put raspberry preserves under ganache, put apple sauce instead of oil and amaretto in ganache instead of vanilla. Oh my gosh. Delicious! Will make a lot!!
Vegan Richa Support
yay! 🙂 thank you!
Bev
This cake was way to dry…won’t make again!
Richa
Probably was overbaked. Chocolate cakes dry out quickly when overbaked
Mary
i made this cake with all whole wheat flour and replaced the oil by apple sauce. fourth time i’ve made this cake. best chocolate cake ever! i have both your first 2 books and use them regularly.
Vegan Richa Support
Thank you so much Mary, glad you keep coming back to it.
Sheila Thrasher
Can I omit the whole wheat flour and use just all purpose flour? What changes would I have to make?
Thanks!
Sheila
Richa
Yes. You might need to add 1-2 tbsp extra flour
Lakshmi
OMG wow! I’ve been able to resurrect all of my family recipes in vegan form thanks to you. I don’t have luck with other’s recipes as I do ever unfailingly with yours. My dad made Sacher Torte for my mum every year because they ate that for their first anniversary in Austria and nobody enjoyed that day more than I. Some days I just need to take a day off and eat Sacher torte for lunch, and today I felt like I was 5 again!
I did skip the nut better part and go all dark chocolate. I used raspberry jam for the layering, and rum instead of the syrup drizzle that Sacher torte calls for.
Richa
Yay!! ❤️❤️❤️
Jerline
Can I skip maple syrup
Vegan Richa Support
you could – just increase the pumpkin & coconut milk a little each to sub for liquid loss – until you get a thick batter
Mel
This cake was an epiphany. I have very little baking experience and had almost no trouble at all. My only problem came when the ganache cooled too long and became unspreadable. After a brief moment of panic I warmed it up in a small pot and was able to pour it again.
My roommate couldn’t taste the peanut butter, but I sure could. The first bite has a huge peanut buttery kick and then it’s pure chocolate heaven. I used cherry preserves and decorated the top with maraschino cherries.
Absolutely will make this again. Phenomenal!
Vegan Richa Support
Phenomenal !! Love it. PB Ganache for the win
Heyy
Hey, I want to make this cake for my friends bday and was wondering how long can i keep “dry” layers of cake (without ganache or anything) outside the fridge? Can I make it two days in advance as i won’t have any oven at her house?
Vegan Richa Support
Hey!! vegan cakes have the advantage here: five days
Vegan cakes are particularly good at being stored at room temperature for up to five days. carefully wrapping the cake in cling film.
marina
i rarely make cakes and given that i only use whole wheat flour, most turn out too hard. this one i made in the toaster oven, only replacing the white flour by whole wheat. ordered both books last week and have already made 7 recipes. all a success. i am not a recipe following person but these recipes are so clear that they are a joy to follow. thank you.
Vegan Richa Support
wow – thank you so much – i’m glad you’re so into it!
VJ
Is there any suggestion you have to make this gluten-free?
Vegan Richa Support
try this one instead: https://www.veganricha.com/gluten-free-cashew-or-peanut-butter-chocolate-marble-cake-vegan-gluten-free-cake/
Lenora
Hello! This cake is delicious, and family likes it. However, I was just wondering what I could add to the mix to make the cake a bit moister (apple sauce, etc)? I have made it twice and cake is slightly dry. Any tips are greatly appreciated.
Vegan Richa Support
great – apple sauce 1/4 cup would be perfect
Sita
Let me begin by stating I am a seasoned baker/cook. However I am new to Vegan baking/cooking. I am not sure what I did wrong because my cakes sunk in the middle while cooling. I covered with a towel as suggested. Four family members are Vegan chocolate lovers and will be visiting in a few months. I was looking for a homemade chocolate cake recipe. Help!
Richa
Reasons cakes fall 1. Too much moisture to flour ratio. Happens with measuring errors or changes in ingredients 2. Needed longer bake time , if oven was running low heat.
Did you change anything? How was the batter consistency?
Pam
Think you meant to say baking powder instead of baking soda- my cake came out dry and hard, but the frosting was delicious!
Richa
If you used some leavening(baking soda or powder), then a dry cake means it was over baked. Ovens can run hotter and darker or thinner pans will also shave off a few mins of baking time. So a couple of the things together would mean 10 mins less baking time.
Pam
When I made this, it was extremely heavy and dry. Found the recipe puzzling without any flax eggs or baking powder.
Richa
It has 1.5 tsp baking powder. Right there in the top with the flours. Without it the batter will bake into a brick.
Pam
Actually the online recipe says baking soda- that is why I was confused.
Richa
Yea baking soda. That works better with chocolate. The cake will rise well with either. But it needs leavening. Without either of those there is no leavening
Saman Sandhu
My cakes did not rise. I made them. In 9in round pans and took.them.out in 23 minutes. They look more like chocolate pancakes.
Richa
Did the rise a bit and fall or did not rise at all? If they did not rise at all then it’s baking powder, it’s probably old
Saman Sandhu
It did rise a little. I added baking soda as per recipe, shiukd i add baking powder aswell?
Richa
No I meant baking soda. It’s probably old
Jini
Superb
Dhara Mehta
I just have one 8 inch pan. Would it work if I put the complete mix together to bake and cut the cake in half ? If yes, how would the timing vary?
Should I adjust anything else?
Richa
Yes it will work but will make a really tall cake so you want to use a pan that is high enough. Bake 10 minutes longer and check from the middle of the pan
Nidhi
WOW! I made this for my husband’s birthday. Baked it in two 9 inch pans, done in 25 min. Cannot believe how simple but delicious this turned out to be! Tasted even better after setting overnight in the fridge.
Richa
Yay! Yes some Chill time helps the overall moisture and texture
Nidhi
I have two 9 inch (2 inch high) pans. Can I use the same quantities for the cake? Want to make this for my husband’s birthday next week and am willing buy 8 inch pans (that are 2.5 inch high) if you think this recipe works best with 8 inch pans! Thanks!
Richa
They will work fine. The cakes will be thinner that all. Check a few minutes earlier if they are done baking
Tara
I followed the recipe, however adjusted for 10 servings and then used a 16 cm cake pan twice.
Sadly, my cake did not turn out as moist as I’d like and it didn’t rise much either. The ganache turned too watery so I had to add 100g chocolate to thicken it up. Not sure what I could have done differently.
But my friends seemed to enjoy the cake nonetheless.
Richa
I am not sure how you adjusted the recipe measure. Although all the recipe widget on the blog has option changing servings and adjust the amounts accordingly it just multiplies The values. But baking is not straightforward to scale up or down. You would have to go by the feel of the batter. If the batter didn’t rise much it is either that there was too much moisture to flour Ratio in the batter. Or the baking powder was really old. For the frosting it depends on the brand of the chocolate so if it isn’t thickening you can reheat it and add more chocolate chips to the frosting to help thicken. Hope this helps
Tara
Thank you for your reply, Richa! I might try to make the full recipe once and see how that goes. You’re definitely right about baking not being straightforward 🙂
Meghan
Thank you for this recipe! It was delicious and I made my own cashew butter. I’m surprised that you can’t taste the nut butter. I also made mine gluten free w/ a premixed gluten free flour & another flour–like almond- i think. It seemed to not rise as much as a normal cake would. Do you have any suggestions on what I could do to get more fluff?
Vegan Richa Support
I would suggest trying this instead: https://www.veganricha.com/gluten-free-cashew-or-peanut-butter-chocolate-marble-cake-vegan-gluten-free-cake/“>Gluten-free Cashew or Peanut Butter Chocolate Marble Cake Vegan Gluten free Cake. yes, unknown flours will definitely affect the rise / fluffiness.
Kayleigh
Hi! This recipe looks amazing! I am trying it for a birthday, would it be possible to use a chocolate flavoured almond milk?
Very excited will keep updated on how it turns out.
Vegan Richa Support
sure Kayleigh it will have an extra chocolatey taste!! – if it is pretty sweet you may reduce the sugar only if you like but not necessary
Sarah
Hi Richa, could i bake this in a standard size rectangular pan instead of two rounds?
thanks!
Vegan Richa Support
yes, check at 28 min it will take a little less time
Skc
Made this for my steak and potatoes husband for Fathers Day. He loved it and said he’d never guess it was vegan. Our deal was I would make a chocolate cake for him but it had to be vegan so I could eat some lol.
I used whole wheat pastry flour and raspberry preserves and it was great! I think next time I prefer the ganache all chocolate.
It’s a hit and thank you again for a really good recipe I will do again and again!
Wendy
Hi,
Is it possible to use coconut flour instead of all purpose?
Vegan Richa Support
it needs gluten so you can use a gluten-free baking blend like bob’s red mill gluten-free 1 on 1 or domata, or you can use the blend from my gluten-free banana muffins. Vegan Gluten free Banana Muffins
Once the cake is done baking, cover it with a towel to cool.
Dale
hello, do i need to use whole wheat flour or can I replace it with all purpose flour
Richa
You can use all all purpose
Yet
Can I use whole wheat pastry flour instead of whole wheat flour?
Vegan Richa Support
not in this recipe as it contains way less gluten.
NC
This is brilliant! I made this for my vegan friends birthday and it was a real treat! Thank you and I was successful with my first vegan cake!
Vegan Richa Support
I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by!
Gabriella
What`s wheat flour?
Vegan Richa Support
Whole wheat flour
Gabriella
Hi, can I cover this cake with fondant icing for a birthday cake?
Thaks,
Gabry
Dani
Can this be made in 9 inch rounds? Thanks!
Vegan Richa Support
Yes just reduce the cooking time a bit and check on them.
H. Guler
This cake recipe is pure genius. That is not hyperbole. I was afraid it would be too peanut-buttery, but I can’t even taste the peanut butter. Moreover, the raspberry jam gives it a lightness that prevents the cake from being overpowering.
I’m not a highly experienced baker, but none of the chocolate cake recipes I’ve tried in the past have even come close to this one. One recipe I tried had a tofu-based icing; not only could I taste the tofu, but the icing dried up and cracked after one day. Another version used avocado, but the avocado taste was too obvious. The icing on this cake just tastes like chocolate icing, and it doesn’t seem to dry up.
I had only one cake pan, which is deep and is made of porcelain. Since porcelain doesn’t conduct heat very well, I had to bake the cake for an hour and 15 minutes, using the toothpick method. I cut the cake in half horizontally to make it a layered cake, and I didn’t do anything about the dome on top. So, in the end, it ended up being a funny-looking cake, but the taste is amazing.
Thank you for making it possible for me and my husband to have a proper chocolate cake again after seven years of being vegan!
Richa
awesome