Vegan Chocolate Walnut Cake
This vegan chocolate walnut cake is an easy, moist, and fudgy dessert with crunchy walnuts and rich dark chocolate frosting. Perfect as a snack or dessert, it’s soft, sweet, and made without eggs, butter, or dairy.
Equipment
- 1 8-inch round baking pan lightly greased and floured
- 1 Mixing bowl
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup raw walnuts plus more for topping
- 1 + ½ cups all-purpose flour scooped & leveled
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup hot water
- ⅓ cup neutral vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate Frosting
- 1 + ½ cups vegan chocolate chips
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or any plant milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round pan.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.1 + ½ cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 cup cane sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 pinch salt
- Add boiling water, oil, vanilla, and vinegar. Mix gently until just combined-don't overmix.1 cup hot water, ⅓ cup neutral vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Fold in finely chopped walnuts.1 cup raw walnuts
- Pour batter into the pan and bake 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack.
- For frosting, heat plant-based milk until boiling, add chocolate chips, and whisk until smooth. Pour over warm cake and spread evenly.1 + ½ cups vegan chocolate chips, ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
Notes
- Prep your pan: Grease and flour well for easy release.
- Chop walnuts evenly: Helps them mix throughout the cake.
- Use boiling water: Dissolves cocoa fully for a richer flavor.
- Measure flour properly: Fluff, scoop, and level for a light cake.
- Use fresh leavening agents: Ensures perfect rise.
- Don’t overmix: Fold ingredients just until combined.
- Frost while warm: Makes spreading easy and glossy.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days or in the fridge up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 6gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 0.2mgSodium: 170mgPotassium: 285mgFiber: 4gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 2mg
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