Chocolate Coconut Almond Cake (Vegan-Friendly)

Moist and rich Chocolate Coconut Almond Cake

When my little sister  (also named Rachel — my daughter is her namesake) was about eight years old, she went along with my mother to visit a little girl from church who was in the hospital.  (The child had been very ill, but was on the mend and would have a full recovery.)  Apparently the child looked painfully thin to my sister, because Rachel took one look at her then announced to my mother and all standing around the sick bed, “They just need to give that girl some CAKE!”

From that day forward, whenever anyone announced they were feeling poorly, someone in my family would inevitably advise, “All you need is some CAKE!”

I can see why my little sister thought cake would cure anything that ailed a body.  My mother was a champion cake-baker back in the 70’s before she had to get serious about cutting out sugar for her health.  Most Saturdays would find her frosting a homemade coconut or Italian Creme or carrot cake.  We kids would salivate around the kitchen counter in anticipation.  We would eat the cake in small slivers, because our theory was that three thin slices had less calories than one thick slice.

One of the cakes Mother made frequently was called Wacky Cake (some call it Depression Cake) because the ingredients were always on hand (it does not have any milk, butter or eggs) and you simply stir it up in a bowl (no mixer). You don’t even have to grease the pan.  My brother always requested this cake for his birthday with a simple vanilla icing.

My husband had out-patient surgery this morning,  and after I made him a healthy vegetable stew,  I remembered my sister’s advice and decided give him some cake!  In searching for vegan-friendly desserts for Mother’s Day this weekend, I remembered Mom’s old stand-by, Wacky Cake.  My favorite cake is German Chocolate so I created a vegan-friendly  coconut-“butter”-almond  frosting for this cake, but used chopped almonds instead, to give it a bit more crunch.  Success!!  Though I cannot claim that this cake is healthy,  it is delicious, and it is vegan.  I couldn’t resist eating a piece of it while still warm, moist and falling apart.  Heavenly.   If you have vegans in your family, or anyone who cannot eat dairy or eggs, this is a wonderful recipe for a special occasion,  and both the cake and the frosting are super easy.

Warm Chocolate Coconut Almond Cake (Vegan)

Vegan Chocolate Coconut Almond Cake

1 1/3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup water
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 c. chopped almonds (I used food processor)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix flour, sugar, and cocoa powder and baking soda with a wire whisk. All the rest of the ingredients and whisk again. Pour in an ungreased 9 by 11 inch pan.  Spread evenly. Sprinkle with chopped almonds. (The almonds on top will naturally “toast” and give the cake a delightful extra layer of crunch under the frosting.)

Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until wooden pick comes out clean.  While cake is baking, make frosting below.  While cake is warm prick all over with a fork and pour frosting over all.

Coconut Almond Icing

1/2 cup organic coconut milk  (If the coconut milk has separated in the can, use mostly the cream that rises to the top of the can.)

1/3 c. Earth Balance butter

1/2 cup organic sugar

3/4 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)

1/2 c. chopped almonds

Mix all of the above, except coconut and almonds,  together in a saucepan. Bring to boil and while stirring,  boil for a full minute. Take off heat.  Add coconut and almonds. Pour over cake and spread evenly.  Serve warm, room temp or cold!  It is delicious anyway you slice and serve it.

This was printed from: We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook
The site URL: http://welaughwecrywecook.com
The Title:  Chocolate Coconut Almond Cake (Vegan Friendly)
The URL: http://wp.me/p1UwM9-hJ

.