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Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

Updated: Jul 1


A decadent, light chocolate cake with a rich, dark chocolate ganache and toasted hazelnuts. If you are looking for a celebration cake, look no further.



Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cake


BIRTHDAY CAKE

I am not the biggest fan of the traditional birthday cake with sprinkles. Cakes with fruit or chocolate are definitely my thing. If you are like me, this is one for you!


Used my favourite chocolate cake recipe, I made a few changes and added chopped hazelnuts.

Here is my favourite cake recipe: dark chocolate cake



THIS CAKE IS
  • light

  • rich

  • chocolatey

  • decadent

  • not too sweet

  • really easy to make

  • and it's vegan



Vegan Chocolate Cake


TO MAKE THIS YOU WILL NEED

  • a plain flour

  • unsweetened cacao powder, preferably organic

  • baking powder

  • bicarbonate of soda

  • canned coconut milk

  • coconut sugar

  • apple cider vinegar

  • coconut of sunflower oil

  • vanilla extract or vanilla paste

  • hazelnuts

  • and a pinch of salt to balance the flavours



THE CAKE TIN

It is important to be aware that this recipe is written for a 15cm cake tin.

You can use a bigger cake tin, but the cake will have less height.



MAKE IT A LAYER CAKE

If the cake has enough height after baking, you can cut the cake in half and make a layer cake by adding a layer of the dark chocolate ganache between the two cakes. Make sure the cake is cooled before cutting it though.



FIRST THINGS, FIRST.

Preheat the oven.

Next, prepare the cake tins. Do so by rubbing coconut/vegetable oil around the cake tin. To make it even easier to remove, line the cake tin with baking paper.

Weigh off the ingredients and you are ready to start baking...



Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with chocolate ganache


OTHER CHOCOLATE OR HAZELNUT RECIPES TO TRY



A slice of vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with chocolate ganache


CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT CAKE


A decadent, light chocolate cake with a rich, dark chocolate ganache and toasted hazelnuts.


Prep time: 10 min

Cooking time: 35 - 45 min

Serves: 8 - 10 slices



INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CAKE

  • 135g plain flour, sifted

  • 50g cacao powder

  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

  • 1/2 tsp baking powder

  • a generous pinch of salt

  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

  • 150g coconut or brown sugar

  • 125ml sunflower or coconut oil

  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

  • 260ml canned coconut milk

  • 35g hazelnuts, finely chopped


FOR THE DARK CHOCOLATE GARNACHE

  • 125g dark chocolate, roughly chopped

  • 135ml canned coconut milk cream – the ‘cream’ scooped from canned coconut milk. Place the can in the fridge overnight, remove from the fridge and scoop out the thick coconut milk.


TO FINISH

30g toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped.




INSTRUCTIONS

FOR THE CAKE

  1. Preheat the oven to 180C or 160C fan and grease a 15 cm cake tin.

  2. In a bowl sift the flour, cacao powder, bicarb, baking powder and salt and set aside.

  3. In another bowl combine the coconut milk, vinegar, brown sugar, oil and vanilla extract and whisk until combined. Add the flour mixture and whisk until smooth using a hand whisk (NOT electrical). Add the chopped hazelnuts and give one final mix.

  4. Transfer the mixture into the prepared cake tin and bake for 35 – 45 min or until a cake tester inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. The middle of the cake should be a bit springy when lightly pressed with your fingers.

  5. Remove the cake from the oven and let the cake cool in the tin, on a wire rack. Let it cool completely before removing from the tin for slicing or decorating.


FOR THE GANACHE

  1. Transfer the chocolate and coconut milk into a heatproof bowl and place over a small pot of simmering water or in the microwave at 10 second intervals. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture completely smooth.

  2. Let the ganache sit at room temperature to thicken for at least 30 minutes before drizzling or pouring over the cake.

  3. Sprinkle a few chopped hazelnuts on top (optional) or decorate to your liking.



Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with chocolate ganache


HAVE YOU MADE THIS?


If you made this, I would love to see your creations on Instagram.

Make sure to leave a review below and give it a rating.

Follow me on Instagram for more vegan recipe inspiration!



Comments


HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?

 

I would love if you could leave me a comment below to let you me know what you think.

​If you post your recreation on Instagram, don't forget to tag me @simply_plant_nourished

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