I don’t know how often I’ll be posting while I’m out of town, but I prepared this post in advance. If everything is going well, E. and I are currently frolicking in the Pacific Northwest September sunshine (or more realistically and just as awesome, I am sleeping in while my mom plays with E.)
Last week my friend Emily came over for lunch along with her cute baby boy. Her son J. is only one week older than E. and so it was fun to see them ‘play together’ (i.e. try to claw each other’s eyes out and steal each others binkies).
Emily knew about how E. and I can’t have dairy or eggs, and so she brought this cake over for dessert. It was super good. I think I’m going to make it for E.’s birthday in November. Emily said that her mom got the recipe from a cocoa recipe booklet and from what I can tell, there are a couple of different versions of it online. This version also has a recipe for non-dairy frosting to go with it. (I’m super grateful for all of the vegan resources that exist for avoiding eggs and milk products, but I have to admit that I feel like a bit of an impostor when I buy my vegan margarine, soy milk, and no-dairy, no-egg cookies. What would the hippie clerks at the health food store say if they knew how much I love a good medium-rare sirloin? Worst…vegan…ever!)
Anyway, this cake is great for people with food allergies or those living overseas who might not have convenient access to baking ingredients (Hi, N.’s mom and dad in Pusan!)
Wacky Cocoa Cake
(This is a doubled recipe: it makes enough for two round pans)
Mix together in a large bowl the following:
- 3 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
Then add the following liquid ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 Tablespoons vinegar
- 2 tsp vanilla
Stir until no lumps remain. Pour into two 8″ or 9″ rounds. bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. That’s it!
I know I’ve been remiss about posting new photos of E. but with things having been so crazy the last couple of weeks, I haven’t taken any. I will make up for it while we’re on this trip and will post photos when we get back. Have a good weekend!