This cake will not last the week! In fact, I think it would be rather a stretch for me to assume it'll make it past the three day mark. Trust me, I never lie when it comes to chocolate. The beauty of this recipe is that you'll be too absorbed in it's rich, velvety sponge, to even notice how healthy it is!
Since the soft weaves of baskets, speckled eggs and cotton tails came out of their hiding places on Sunday, I knew that come Monday I had to bake a chocolate cake that was worthy of kicking off the Easter spirit in our home. Drop a comment below if you give this recipe a go!
Shhh It's Healthy! Chocolate Cake
This Wholefood cake is both Dairy Free and Vegan. If you are making it in consideration of a gluten intolerance or allergy, then replace the oat flour for buckwheat flour, and substitute the all purpose flour with Gluten Free Self-Raising Flour.
3/4 Cup Wholemeal All Purpose Flour
1 1/4 Cups Oat Flour (You can purchase this pre-milled, or pre-blend the oats in a mixer)
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
Pinch of Salt
1/4 Cup Dutch Pressed Cocoa
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
3/4 Cup Oat or Soy Milk
1 Tablespoon Flaxseed Meal
1 Cup Pitted, Chopped Dates
1/3 Cup Agave Syrup (Maple Syrup is fine too)
With your oven preheated to 180°C and your cake tin coated and lined, you first want to soak your dates in a bowl, with the flaxseed meal, agave syrup, vanilla extract and milk, for fifteen minutes. During this time sift together your oat and all purpose flours in a larger bowl, with the cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and pinch of salt.
In your blender, mix together your wet ingredients until they form a smooth batter. Carefully fold this batter in with your dry ingredients, until the consistency is completely smooth. Spread this evenly into your cake tin, and do not worry if it has started to thicken up, as this is just a sign that your oat flour is activated.
Bake for 35-45 minutes, until golden. Ice with a chocolate frosting if you'd like it to be that extra bit more indulgent!
Most importantly, have fun with your Easter decorating my friends!