Vegan Chocolate Cake

I tried this for a friend's birthday and it was a super duper hit.
Thanks, team PUL for putting this great recipe.

hi can i not add powdered sugar in the frosting

PUL Team - Nov. 3, 2024, 2:27 p.m.

Hey Jada, thanks for your interest in the vegan chocolate cake recipe 🤗 We wouldn't recommend making the frosting without powdered sugar, as the frosting won’t thicken as much since powdered sugar adds structure. It also won't be as sweet. If you experiment with any modifications though, we'd love to hear how it goes!

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I'm currently making this for the second time for my daughter's birthday. Every guest still remembers the cake. I think this will be her birthday cake that she'll remembers forever. I'm happy to make it for her! 🎁

PUL Team - Oct. 22, 2024, 8:54 p.m.

Aww how special to hear this, Fabi & Tristan! Wishing your daughter and very happy birthday and hope you all enjoy the vegan chocolate cake recipe 🥰

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Can I reduce sugar quantity?
Or substitute granulated sugar with 50:50 with monk fruit sweeteners?

PUL Team - Oct. 14, 2024, 8:40 p.m.

Hi Amitabh! This recipe is more stringent so adding less sugar with monk fruit sweetener will likely impact the cake chemistry. We have heard positive reviews about adding less sugar though, such as using 200g of sugar for the default servings of the recipe in the review from Irene. If you experiment with any changes, do let us know how it goes. We hope you enjoy the vegan cake recipe if you're able to give it a try 🤗

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I made this cake with two 9 inch, round pans and it turned out great, just obviously not as thick. It was very rich and delicious, my whole family loved it! And it was amazing with fresh strawberry slices on top as well :)

Hi Sadia and the PUL team,

I went for it and made this cake for my husband's birthday for 30 people! I was so grateful that the measurements were adjustable. The only thing is that for the frosting it ended up being too much! So I have a lot left of it. Suggestions of how I can use the rest of the frosting.

As for the outcome of the cake it was a hit! I was getting orders from friends...lol they wanted me to make them for them and some were asking for the receipt, I said, "you've got to buy the PUL app"! 😊

I was trying to add a picture of the results but I don't think there's an option here.

Anyhow, all this to say many thanks! 🙏

PUL Team - Sept. 23, 2024, 9:13 p.m.

Hiya Dani, we're so glad the cake was a hit! You can use the leftover frosting as a dip for fruit, spread it on pancakes or waffles, enjoy it on other baked goods, or perhaps you could even freeze it to use later. Love that your friends were asking for the recipe, what a kind shoutout for the PUL app 🥰

We'd love to see your creations on Instagram with the tag @pickuplimes. You can also join our PUL App discord to share pictures with other community members. If you'd like to join and haven't already, click the "join discord server" button at the bottom of the Me tab 🤗✨

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I found this recipe
just in time! I made it for my mum's birthday. She had been craving cake ever since she turned vegan and she was so pleased. 😄 However, I don't want to add so much oil to the cake. Is there an alternative? Thank you so much for this recipe by the way. Vegan cakes in India are really hard to get.

PUL Team - Sept. 12, 2024, 6:28 p.m.

Hey Sayuri, aw love it when the stars align! Happy early birthday to your mum 🥳

While we haven’t tested it ourselves, you could try replacing the coconut oil with vegan butter if you're fine with a hint of buttery flavour. Alternatively, for a non-oil option, consider using less oil and adding extra applesauce. Just keep in mind that baking is a bit of a science, so these changes will make the cake more crumbly 🤗

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Hi Sadia,

I am baking this cake for my son's birthday (how could I not, look at all the fab reviews 🥰) but I have a quick question. In the UK, it's hard to come by applesauce in your usual supermarkets and I wondered if it could be substituted with mashed banana? I know I can make applesauce but if banana does the trick, it's much easier 😅 I don't mind a banana taste so I wondered if it would make any other difference to the bake? Tha ks so much for all your recipes and videos! ❤️❤️❤️

PUL Team - Sept. 1, 2024, 3:08 p.m.

Hi there, Char, happy birthday to your son 🥳 We haven't tested the vegan chocolate recipe without applesauce, but you could likely use mashed banana. It may add a slight banana taste if they're more on the ripe side, so It could work better to use a touch less banana with a bit of water added so the consistency is comparable to applesauce. As an alternative, we've also heard positive reviews about swapping the applesauce for yogurt, such as 6-7 tablespoons from Jaagrit. We hope you enjoy the recipe if you give it a try 🙌

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Hi Sadia and PUL team,
Thank you for all the amazing recipes!
Should I put less sugar in the cake mix if I use sweetened apple sauce? I can't find unsweetened unfortunately and don't have time to make my own.
Thanks in advance!

PUL Team - Aug. 26, 2024, 4:29 a.m.

Hey Ioanna, you can reduce the sugar in the cake mix since you're using sweetened applesauce. Try cutting back on the sugar by about 1/4 cup to balance the sweetness for 12 servings. Happy baking 🫶

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The taste is amazing to treat a sweet tooth for chocolate! I would need a hint on how to handle the cakes though. They turned out slightly moist but not dense or so, so actually perfect, as long as I do not try to lift or move them, because then they fall apart. I thought of making mini-portions in glass jars, crumbling the cakes and layering them over with other layers, or letting the cakes rest overnight before using them further. For note: I did measure the ingredients using measuring scale, so it should not be the reason for the cake falling apart. So yeah, any tip would be awesome, as I liked the taste too much and hope to make it presentable as well! 😃

PUL Team - Aug. 25, 2024, 9:40 p.m.

Hey there, Di, thanks for sharing your experience with the vegan chocolate cake recipe! Is there any chance you're trying to move it when it's still warm? The cake does tend to cut and stick together better once cooled.

Sometimes if the oven temperature is too high it can cause baked goods to rise quickly and then they fall flat later on. Fresh baking powder, baking soda, and salt can also help to promote an even rise. We hope this helps for now 🙂

Di - Aug. 25, 2024, 10:30 p.m.

Thanks for the advice! I guess I should just let the cakes chill for longer and prepare them in the evening the night before, if there is no time for long cooking on the day when it is served. I guess it will work out better next time!

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Made this for my hubbie’s birthday and it was awesome! Recipe is easy to follow and the buttercream with it was so light and fluffy!

I really want to make this cake, it looks amazing however is there an alternative to coconut based oil I can use due to allergies to coconut

PUL Team - Aug. 2, 2024, 5:08 a.m.

Hey Miles, we haven't tested it out but vegan butter may work. It will impart a buttery taste though 😊

Miles Foster - Aug. 2, 2024, 8:11 a.m.

Oh thank you for the reply, I will give it a try :)

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I made this cake yesterday. The taste was really good but the texture felt very moist, is that how it is? I had to bake it for more than 35minutes. Any suggestions?

Thanks :)

i made this cake yesterday and even tho the taste was amazing, it got crumbled in the tin itself and i cannot understand why🥲 if would be really helpful if you help me out

PUL Team - July 21, 2024, 4:56 p.m.

Hi Shreya, we're sorry to hear your cake crumbled. Did it stick to the pan? Oiling the sides and using a parchment cutout for the bottom of the pan can make a huge difference in getting the cake out.

Do you remember if you substituted any ingredients and portion sizes recommended in the recipe? We often find when the coconut oil is substituted for liquid vegetable oil that the cake becomes more crumbly.

It could also be due to overmixing the batter or not allowing the cake to cool enough before removing it from the pan. If you try the recipe again, make sure to mix only until just combined and let the cake cool a touch longer before taking it out of the pan 🙂

shreya - July 22, 2024, 10:53 a.m.

i did grease the pan and let it cool before taking it out but yeah i substituted the coconut oil with equal amounts unsalted butter🫠

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Very delicious!

Absolutely amazing. I made this for my boyfriend’s birthday cake and everyone in the household, began & non-vegan loved it!
I also took a few slices to work and my colleagues were very impressed. I wish I could post a photo! Thank you for the recipe!

PUL Team - June 18, 2024, 1:37 a.m.

So thrilled to hear that the chocolate cake was enjoyed, Samantha! We'd love to see your creations on Instagram with the tag #pickuplimes or @pickuplimes. If you use the PUL App, you can also join our PUL App discord to share pictures with other community members. If you'd like to join, click the "join discord server" button at the bottom of the Me tab 🥰✨

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This is the best chocolate cake ever! We’ve been making it for years now for every birthday and it’s always a hit! It keeps in the fridge well for days and you only need a thin slice as it’s really rich! One of the “staple recipes” that just needs to be in your arsenal ❤️

PUL Team - June 7, 2024, 10:20 p.m.

How exciting to hear this, Katy - thank you for the glowing review!

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Best chocolate cake!

Amazing recipe! The cake is so moist, and everything turned out amazing.

This is literally the best chocolate cake I have ever made! Made it for a wedding cake and a gala cake… nothing was left both times!

PUL Team - June 3, 2024, 4:52 a.m.

We're beyond happy to hear this, Sarah, thank you!

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We made two servings of the vegan chocolate cake and it came out so good! I’m so glad your site gives that option as we are a small family. I'm not a baker and it came out delicious. It’s going to be a staple in my kitchen.

PUL Team - May 13, 2024, 1:39 a.m.

So happy to hear that the vegan chocolate cake was a success! Thanks a bunch, Angela 🤗

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We made this today and it turned out great. We used Bob's Red Mill 1:1 gluten free flour and followed all the other ingredients and directions.
Great recipe!

PUL Team - May 6, 2024, 8:13 p.m.

Hey Brandy, so glad the chocolate cake was enjoyed with the gluten-free flour blend 🥰

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The best cake ever!!!!

My granddaughter is vegan, gluten and dairy-intolerant. Would jovial flour work for this recipe?

PUL Team - April 8, 2024, 3:34 a.m.

Hey Becky, we've never tried with jovial flour before so we can't say with certainty. A mix of gluten-free types of flour usually works better than using just one gluten-free flour on its own though if that's possible to experiment with 😊

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What gluten-free flour do you recommend for this recipe?

PUL Team - April 8, 2024, 3:31 a.m.

Hi Becky! We've heard a few positive reviews using Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour or a homemade mix of gluten-free flours. A mix of gluten-free types of flour usually works better than using just one gluten-free flour on its own. Do let us know how it goes if you're able to try the cake 🤗

Becky - April 10, 2024, 4:04 a.m.

Hi:
I made the cake yesterday using Bob's Red Mill 1-1 gluten-free flour. Since I am not experienced enough to mix my own gluten-free flour, I purchased a gf and made your cake recipe. The cake turned out Amazing! I put each layer on two separate plates so I could share it with friends who are gluten intolerant and friends who love dessert to get their feedback. YIPPEE! Your cake was a huge hit! Thank you very much! There is no doubt my granddaughter will be super delighted!
Blessings and joy- Becky

PUL Team - April 10, 2024, 7 a.m.

Awe we're so thrilled to hear, Becky! Thank you for taking the time to share the update 🙌✨

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The most amazing cake!!! I made it for my son’s birthday two weeks ago and everyone was gaga over it!! And our guests were all non vegan😃😃😃
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!

PUL Team - April 5, 2024, 1:16 a.m.

Aw happy birthday to your son, Amy! We're smiling from ear to ear hearing this ☺️✨

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So good! Everybody loved it!

Best chocolate cake ever!

Made the cake for a work celebration, it was a huge hit!!! Definitely going to make again

Made this for a friends birthday, needless to say it was a big hit!!

Great cake! I loved the consistency. But depending on how sweet you usually like your cake, be careful with the sugar. The first time, I used only half because it seemed like a lot to me and I still felt like it’s to much. The sweetness was almost distracting from the chocolate taste. This time I used even less, and now I love it!

This cake was delicious! Very rich and, of course, chocolate-y. It was more dense than I expected, but that could be because I'm at a high altitude, which seems to affect baked goods. I made this for a friend's birthday, and even the meat-and-dairy-loving guys enjoyed it! It was a big hit.

I made the buttercream today for tomorrow. Should I re-beat the cream before putting it on the cake?

PUL Team - Feb. 25, 2024, 7:05 p.m.

Hey Mélanie, yes you can re-beat the frosting a bit before using it to help it become smooth and fluffy again. We've also a heard positive review from Minii who microwaved the frosting for 30 seconds to make it spreadable again which is another option 🤗

Mélanie - March 1, 2024, 3:17 p.m.

Thank you ❤️

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My cakes tend to deflate slightly after baking and don't maintain their initial height from the oven. What can I do?

PUL Team - Feb. 23, 2024, 9:12 p.m.

Hey Nel, to prevent your cakes from deflating, make sure that you're not opening the oven door too often during baking. It also helps to make sure your leavening agents (like baking powder and baking soda) are properly measured and fresh (if they're old they don't work so well) for the recipe to provide enough lift. I hope this helps!

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i contracted severe diabetes.

I have made this cake for every family birthday since you released it on your blog. It is the best chocolate cake and I always get compliments from vegans and non vegans alike. Thanks!

PUL Team - Feb. 20, 2024, 6:43 p.m.

Gosh we're so honoured, Jen! We hope you continue to enjoy the chocolate cake 😃

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This is THE best cake I've ever baked! I been baking cakes for years but this one tops them all! Thank you so much for this recipe.

PUL Team - Feb. 14, 2024, 4:55 a.m.

Such a big compliment, Nikita - we're beyond happy to hear the vegan chocolate cake was enjoyed! 🥳

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This looks great! Do you know the serving size I should do for 2 5" pans (instead of the 8")

PUL Team - Feb. 9, 2024, 5:58 a.m.

Hey there, Jay, we've heard a positive review from Victoria who cut the recipe to one third (4 servings) and split it between two 5" circular tins :)

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Made this cake to impress my boyfriend and I was supprise to. It's the best chocolate cake EVER!! It's so filling you take a small piece qnd your full. Not to sweet just Perfect. I serve it with some homemade raspberry sorbet and it was to die for.
I will do this recipe again but I will try it in cupcake 🤤🤤

Thank you Team PUL for those delicious recipe.

PUL Team - Feb. 7, 2024, 1:39 a.m.

Oh my goodness you're too sweet, Magalie! We're so thrilled that the vegan chocolate cake was enjoyed and love the ideas to pair it with homemade raspberry sorbet 😍 happy baking!

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Made this for my son's 21st birthday. My son is allergic to dairy and I have been making vegan cakes for years. This one is probably the best chocolate cake ever! Came out moist and delicious! He and all all his college friends loved it!! Thank you for the perfect recipe.

PUL Team - Feb. 6, 2024, 7:45 a.m.

How exciting to hear it was enjoyed, Anita, especially on the milestone birthday! Sending lots of love to your son :D

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I was looking for a homemade vegan cake to bake for my 14th birthday a week ago and stumbled upon the YouTube video for this cake! It looked sooo scrumptious and easy enough for me to try (a teen who’s only just gotten into cooking/baking, but loves doing it so much nonetheless:)) so I baked it today for my birthday tomorrow! It turned out SO delicious!! 🤤💘 My mum says it’s even better than store bought cakes that are often times pretty pricey! I’m so happy with how it came out!🥹 I wish pick up limes a wonderful and tasty 2024!! 💞💞 Thank you for the recipe!!! 🥰

PUL Team - Feb. 4, 2024, 7:07 p.m.

Gosh we're so thrilled to hear, Na - wishing you the happiest 14th birthday 🥳 we're so honoured that the cake was part of your celebrations! We hope to share more delicious moments together 🤗

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Hi Sadia live your recipes so much. I'm planning to make this cake soon but I have only one 8 inch pan. Should I bake the entire batter at once and then split the cake to make 2 layers or should I devide it and back in 2 batches? Thanks

PUL Team - Jan. 28, 2024, 8 p.m.

Hey Hiba, thanks for the love! We recommend dividing the batter and baking it in two batches. Happy baking! 😊

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Been waiting for so long for the perfect timing to try this one out.
I just turned 30 and this was my cake! ❤️ It is absolutely delicious. For my taste a bit too sweet but I probably (for sure 😅) should've had a bit less.
Thank you so much! 🙏🏼🥳

PUL Team - Jan. 21, 2024, 11:53 p.m.

Happy 30th birthday, Andreea! 🥳 We're so happy that the cake was part of the milestone festivities 🥰

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Hi Sadia, can I use sweet soymilk if I don't have the unsweetened one?

PUL Team - Jan. 18, 2024, 5:14 p.m.

Hey Carlie, you can but the cake will end up sweeter! We don't recommend changing the level of sugar in the cake though, as that will affect the texture.

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The chocolate cake is sooo moist and also tastes delicious. The frosting is sweet but not too sweet and has a perfect consistency to serve as cover for the whole cake. Together it's a chocolaty heaven!!

PUL Team - Jan. 14, 2024, 5:03 a.m.

So happy to hear, Anna, thank you! 😃

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Love it, it's a hit in my family. Made it with bobs 1-1 flour

LOVE THIS RECIPE - made it 3 times already! My best version was by adding some thinly sliced strawberries in between the 2 cake layers as a surprise effect. My family loved it❤️

PUL Team - Jan. 2, 2024, 5:38 p.m.

Mmm strawberries in the cake layers sound incredible 😍 thanks a bunch, Sarah!

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Hi Nadia,
I did not have powdered sugar on hand and hence made powdered sugar by adding it to the nutribullet.
I believe it still remained slightly grainy and has led to my frosting being grainy now.
Is there a fix? Do you think heating the frosting a little can help melt the sugar ?

PUL Team - Dec. 15, 2023, 9:21 p.m.

Hey there, Rita, oh no! To be honest we've never tried it so can't say for sure how it'll turn out. If you do try it out though let us know how it goes!

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I tried this cake before and loved it. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I want to make a larger cake (18- 20 ppl) what size baking circular tray would you recommend?

PUL Team - Dec. 14, 2023, 7:28 a.m.

Hey there, Pollu, for a larger cake serving 18-20 people, you could probably use three 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans for a taller cake or perhaps two 10 to 12-inch (25 - 30.5 cm) pans. With that said, baking is a delicate process and ingredients don't always scale linearly. For best results, it might be better to stick to the original recipe dimensions and consider baking two separate cakes. All the best with the baking either way, Pollu!

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I made this for my birthday tomorrow!
The house smelt like heaven!

PUL Team - Dec. 7, 2023, 5:38 p.m.

Aww we’re so honoured! Happy happy birthday, Kelly, wishing you an abundance of health and wellness 🥳🎂

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I had a quick question, I’ll be making this cake for my birthday this weekend and I was wondering if I can swap out the coffee for anything else? I recognise it’s for the flavour but I don’t drink coffee and I also don’t have coffee. Now I was thinking to swap it with water seeing as it is a considerable amount of liquid that would seem quite essential. So, any tips? Thanks in advance, I’m excited to make this cake.

PUL Team - Dec. 8, 2023, 7:26 p.m.

Hi there, Samuel, happy happy early birthday! 🥳 The coffee enhances the taste of the chocolate but you can substitute it for water or plant milk if desired. The cake may be a tad less chocolatey but it should still be delicious 🤗

Samuël - Dec. 10, 2023, 4:42 p.m.

Thank you! I indeed replaced it with more soy milk. I filled the layers with cherries and oreos and everyone loved it! And they “couldn’t even tell it was vegan”! Thank you for the delicious recipe.

PUL Team - Dec. 11, 2023, 12:43 a.m.

Mmm cherries and Oreos sound incredible, Samuël! We're so thrilled that the cake was enjoyed on the special day 😃

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I normally never take the time to leave a comment on anything, but I had to for this cake. It’s the best cake I’ve ever tasted. I made it for my sister’s birthday last year and everyone kept praising me for it. I made it again this year, yet I’m still so stunned by how incredibly decadent and *easy* this cake is to make. This will be the only chocolate cake recipe I use for the rest of my life.

PUL Team - Nov. 21, 2023, 2:16 a.m.

Oh, Tep, you're the best cheerleader we could've asked for! Wishing your sister the happiest of birthdays 🥳 Thanks for the heartwarming review and letting the cake be part of the celebration 🥰

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Hey, I just wanted to tel’ that I’ve made this cake for my son’s first birthday, well for the adults cause he got a sugarless cake, and oh my god!!! Everyone conplimented and found the cake so good and light for a chicolate cake, but still rich and flavorful. It was the second time making it and this is just my recipe to go for the best chocolate cake in tha world 💜 thank you so much!!!

PUL Team - Nov. 10, 2023, 4:05 p.m.

We feel so honoured, Roberta, thank you for the lovely review and for including PUL in the festivities! 🥹 Wishing your little one the happiest first birthday 🫶✨

Roberta - Nov. 10, 2023, 7:08 p.m.

Well thank you guys for this awesome app and sharing your work you beautiful souls 😊🥳

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Hi Sadia
I'm going to make the cake this coming weekend. Do you ever use homemade apple sauce? I always make my own and don't make it too sweet so can I use that if I make sure it is very smooth?
I'm a big fan of PUL and love your recipes and can find most of the ingredients here in South Africa
Cheers

PUL Team - Nov. 2, 2023, 11:28 a.m.

Hey Cheryl! We used an unsweetened store-bought version but I imagine an unsweetened homemade version will work just as well! I hope you enjoy it!!

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Can I substitute flour with gluten-free flour or Almond flour?

PUL Team - Nov. 2, 2023, 6:21 p.m.

Hi Jakie, we've heard a few positive reviews using Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour. I wouldn't advise using almond flour though, a mix of gluten-free types of flour usually works better than using just one gluten-free flour on its own. Do let us know how it goes if you're able to try the cake 🤗

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If I don't want to add expresso (hate the taste of coffee), should I replace with more applesauce or something else?

PUL Team - Oct. 25, 2023, 11:45 p.m.

Hi there, AC, the coffee enhances the taste of the chocolate. You can substitute it for water or plant milk if desired. The cake may be a tad less chocolatey but it should still be delicious! 😊

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One of the best cake recipes out there. Completely converted me to believe that vegan bakes can be superior to non-bagna bakes.

PUL Team - Oct. 23, 2023, 7:11 p.m.

Aw we're so honoured, Jenni! Plant-powered desserts can indeed be delicious 😎

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Thank you so much ❤️ it is my favorite cake and I make it for everyone’s birthday ! Always a success and people are so surprise when I say it is vegan.
So moist and delicious !!

PUL Team - Oct. 20, 2023, 6:39 p.m.

So kind of you to make the vegan chocolate cake for birthdays, Amelie! Your lucky loved ones 😜 we're glad it's being enjoyed 🥰

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Love your recipes! I made this for my birthday a while ago and its was absolutely amazing 💕💕

PUL Team - Oct. 17, 2023, 9:48 p.m.

We’re so honoured it was part of the festivities, Luna! Thank you ☺️

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Awesome

The was an amazing cake! I made it a bit more healthy by removing half the sugar and replacing the butter with the same volume measurement of chia egg. So so yummy!!!!

I’ve made this cake for literally every special occasion since this recipe came out. It’s incredibly delicious and always a crowd pleaser!

PUL Team - Oct. 8, 2023, 2:10 a.m.

We're so honoured the cake is part of special occasions! Thank you, Jennifer 😊

Jennifer Lawrence - Oct. 8, 2023, 7:36 a.m.

It sure is! We also make the one with the caramel sauce. So good!

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Hi Sadia,
1 cup floor measures out to be 120 gms which would make 240 gms for 2 cups. Any reason why you used 276 gms of flour? I am baking this for an order and wanted to double check

PUL Team - Sept. 21, 2023, 7:48 p.m.

Hey PK, we've measured flour in our studio to be 138 grams per cup. This is close to the USDA food database which indicates 133 grams per cup. This slight variation is likely due to how flour can be packed into a measuring cup. If you can weigh the flour, I'd go for the gram amount we listed, rather than the cup amount for more accuracy. We hope you love the cake! 😊

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Hi Sadia! Hope you are well :) I am struggling to find refined coconut oil in the Netherlands, would you mind letting me know which shop you get yours at? thank you so much in advance, cannot wait to get baking!

PUL Team - Aug. 25, 2023, 3:12 a.m.

Hey there, Sophie, we tend to get ours from Albert Heijn - they have it in a big white tub by where the gluten-free products are 😊. I think de Notenshop online might also carry it. Happy baking!

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Good recipe, but way too much sugar... Even half of the amount is enough.

Hi Nadia! So I’m planning on making this cake tomorrow, and I just have two questions.

Firstly, I only have an 8” pan and a 10” pan. I don’t mind if the cakes aren’t perfectly stalked which is why I’ll be using those. I’m wondering if I should do 1.5 of the recipe to have enough batter and frosting or if I can just follow the regular measurements ?

Secondly, I don’t have apple sauce at home but have some plain oat-based yogurt that I would like to use up. So I’m wondering if I can substitute the apple sauce with that yogurt ? And if so, should I add a little maple syrup to it to imitate the natural sweetener of the apple sauce ?

I’m really excited to make this as I have made lots of your recipes and have never been disappointed :)

Thanks!

PUL Team - July 31, 2023, 5:58 p.m.

Hey Danna, thanks for the questions and interest in the vegan chocolate cake! You probably don't need to increase the recipe by 1.5x times if you don't want more cake. The 10" pan will spread the batter thinner so just keep an eye on it in case it cooks quicker. You can also start by spreading the frosting thinner on the cooked cake and thickening it based on how much you have left.

As for the yogurt, we haven't tested it out so we can't say with certainty. We've heard positive reviews for swapping the applesauce with yogurt, such as 6-7 tablespoons from Jaagrit, without adding syrup though. Happy baking! ☺️

Danna - July 31, 2023, 7:02 p.m.

Okay, thank you so much!

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I only have 9 and 7-inch cake pans and want to make a 3-layer cake. Any suggestions as to how the recipe would work for either a 9-inch three-layer cake or a 7-inch three-layer cake? I mainly only care about the cake batter since I'll be making a different frosting. Thanks!

PUL Team - July 29, 2023, 9:23 p.m.

Hey Ria, we haven't tested it out but imagine it will work fine! You could divide the batter evenly between the trays, perhaps 7-inch if you'd like a thicker base. The baking time will likely be a bit increased so just be sure to keep a closer eye on it. When a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean the layers are done 🤗

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Can I use vegan butter such as earth balance instead of refined coconut oil?

PUL Team - July 14, 2023, 5:42 p.m.

Hey Hetal, we haven't tested it out with vegan butter but imagine it could work. It may impart a buttery taste though 🙂

Hetal - July 15, 2023, 8:09 p.m.

Thanks much PUL team!

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Hi Sadia and team PUL,

This recipe is the very best cake recipe I have ever made. I have made it at least 4 times now, in different ovens and different kitchens. On several occasions I have had to travel with the separate "pieces" (two cakes, frosting, fruit) and assemble them somewhere else. And every time this cake turned out wonderful. It is delicious, moist but not too sticky, it looks fantastic and is just special all around. I just made it for my father's 75th birthday and he loved it, we all did.
(Last night I made your creamy tomato orzo and it was another great success!)

Thank you for making these amazing recipes available to us!

PUL Team - July 10, 2023, 11:34 p.m.

Oh Eline, a very happy birthday to your father! 🥳 We are so honoured the cake was part of the festivities and are so thrilled the recipe travelled well 😊

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Have you had any experience using this absolutely decadent recipe for cupcakes?
Thanks!

PUL Team - July 6, 2023, 6:50 a.m.

Hey there, Karen, we've heard 320°F (160°C) for 25 minutes has worked well for some people. The cooking time and temperature might differ depending on your oven though - so we'd recommend keeping an eye on it. When a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean, the cupcakes are good to go 😃

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This had been my birthday cake for the last 3 years! I just love it so much!! With the espresso and the coconut: absolutely delicious!! I started making it for everyone's birthday and people love it even before they hear it's vegan!! I recommend doing it exactly as the recipe says!!

PUL Team - June 28, 2023, 9:06 a.m.

So honoured the recipe has been part of the festivities, Marianne! Thanks a bunch 🤗

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Hi, can you replace the granulated sugar with coconut sugar? I am making this for family and they cannot have sugar cane. Thank you!

PUL Team - June 23, 2023, 1:47 a.m.

Hey there, Keren 🤗 We haven't tested it out so we can't say for certain, but you can likely substitute the granulated sugar for coconut sugar. It may take some experimenting since coconut sugar has a different flavour and texture than granulated sugar. Perhaps grinding the coconut sugar before using it and watching the cake more closely when baking would be a good idea to help prevent it from burning.

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I made this for my birthday for my family, of whom no one is vegetarian or vegan, but they all enjoyed it very much, and they didn't guess it wasn't a "normal" cake before I told them :) so delicious!

I didn't have the right size baking dish, so I was worried about the cooking time and it getting dry, but it was great! My baking dish was larger, so the batter was thinner, so I reduced the baking time ~10 minutes.

PUL Team - June 16, 2023, 5:44 p.m.

Happy belated birthday 🥳!! Thanks for trusting our recipe on your special day - so glad it was enjoyed by everyone 🎂

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Love this cake ..i finally found a recipe that vegans and non vegans can eat ...the frosting is glorious ..highly recommend this cake ..the special cacao makes a difference ...makes the cake lighter

PUL Team - June 6, 2023, 10:01 p.m.

So happy to hear, Anne-Marie, thank you 💛

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The icing is delicious!

Can I make this recipe gluten-free using gluten-free 1:1 baking flour??

PUL Team - May 26, 2023, 9:06 p.m.

Hey Elise! We've heard a few positive reviews using Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour or a homemade mix of gluten-free flours. A mix of gluten-free types of flour usually works better than using just one gluten-free flour on its own. Do let us know how it goes if you're able to try the cake 🤗

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I made mini cakes with this recipe and they were delicious! Also, that icing is the bomb!

PUL Team - May 21, 2023, 8:50 p.m.

Oh how cute! So happy to hear, Kate 😊

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Why I am not getting any response to my query?

Very disappointed 😞.

PUL Team - May 19, 2023, 6:50 p.m.

Hey Medhavi! Thanks so much for your patience. If you refresh the page there should be a reply there 😃 We hope this helps for now and happy baking 💛

Medhavi - May 22, 2023, 11:03 p.m.

Thank you!

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Hi, I made this cake recently and everyone loved it. I have a quick question, i want to make it for my 1 year old birthday so instead of coffee can I substitute with water? Should I use hot water with same measurement of coffee? Or normal temperature water?
Also if I want to make it 3 layer 8in then use 1.5 times recipe? Will that serve 25ppl?
Thanks for the help.

PUL Team - May 17, 2023, 2:57 a.m.

Hey there, Medhavi, aw happy birthday to your little one! You can substitute the coffee for cool-lukewarm water or plant milk. The cake may be a tad less chocolatey but it will still be delicious. Increasing the recipe by 1.5x is a lovely idea for the third layer as well. This will serve closer to 20 people, but you can always cut the pieces a bit smaller 🙂

Medhavi - May 18, 2023, 10:13 p.m.

Can you please help?

Medhavi - May 22, 2023, 11:02 p.m.

Yes, thank you so much! I made 3x 8in, keeping the same measurement instead of 1.5 times. And trned out perfect.!!

PUL Team - May 23, 2023, 8:59 a.m.

Woop woop 😃 So thrilled to hear, Medhavi!

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Hi! I’ve made this cake twice and it’s a huge hit with our family. I have a question…have you ever tried to make the layers ahead of a party and popped the well wrapped cake layers in the freezer until the night before the event? I’d like to assemble the cake the morning of the party but have too much going on to bake it.
Thanks if you can help!

PUL Team - May 15, 2023, 5:18 p.m.

Hey Kare, we haven't personally tried but suspect it would work. It's important to note that freezing can affect the texture of the cake slightly (can dry it out a bit), so the end result may not be exactly the same as if it were freshly baked and assembled. But indeed it does help with prepping the cake in advance. Here are some tips if you choose to freeze: 1) let the cake cool completely before wrapping, 2) wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn, and 3) place the wrapped cake in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the packaging to prevent freezer burn. If you give it a try, and the cake turns out a bit dry from freezing, making the frosting fresh and adding some fruit with moisture can freshen it up. Do let us know how it goes if you test it out 😊

Karen - May 16, 2023, 1:56 p.m.

Thank you so much! I’ll give it a try and let you know how it compares to the fresh versions I made and we enjoyed.
PS I really enjoy your videos and the dietary and science add ins!

Karen - July 5, 2023, 3:14 a.m.

I forgot to update so here goes:
I did make the cake layers ahead of the party by 10 days or so. I completely cooled the layers and wrapped and stored them in the freezer as you advised. I thawed the layers overnight and iced with the wonderful chocolate frosting just before the party. The cake was identical in its perfection to the two I made last year and that we enjoyed the same day. BEST CAKE EVER!

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I made this cake twice. The first time just as the recipe said and the second with half as much sugar and 3/4 powdered sugar and the second version is soo much better. If you use as much sugar as the recipe says it'll be just too sweet and you won't be able to eat a whole piece at once or at least that's how it was for me.

PUL Team - May 12, 2023, 9:11 p.m.

Hey Amelia, thanks for taking the time to share your experience with it! In case you used cup measurements, it can help to ensure that the sugar isn't too packed in the cup, but rather, gently spooned into the measuring cup and levelled. This will ensure that not too much sugar is added. Maybe we just have an extra sweet sweet tooth though 😉

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Finally a dessert that I can have chocolate but keep it dairy and sugar free, using Monk Fruit granulated and powdered alternative sugars. It's wonderful.

The chocolate cake ever! Made it for my son's birthday - it was better than than the vegan bakery - where we paid $80 for a cake white sprinkle cake - it was frozen. Ours was way better!!!

PUL Team - May 8, 2023, 12:59 a.m.

Aww thanks so much, MJ! Happy birthday to your son 😃

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Hi, I've made this cake on several occasions for my friends who have a plant based diet and it has gone down a storm. I have made one for a summer fete also. I'm just about to embark on a larger version for a wedding. I'm not really a cake maker and have little experience........and was wondering what measurements and oven temperature to do for a 12" and a 15" cake tin. Does anyone have an idea or might direct me somewhere that has that sort of info. Thank you so much.

PUL Team - May 6, 2023, 5:04 a.m.

Hey Kate, aw so happy it's been enjoyed and how nice of you to make it for a wedding! It's honestly really hard to say what the measurements will be, considering ingredients don't always scale proportionally for baking. For example, to make a 12" cake, you will need to increase the ingredients by 2.25 times (for the 15" cake, it's 3.5x), but especially for ingredients like baking powder and baking soda, you'd only minutely increase the amount (this is to avoid an overly metallic taste). If I had to guess, increase those by 1.5x for the 12" and 2x for the 15".

I also imagine you can cook at the same oven temp, but it'd simply need longer to cook. Use the toothpick test. And I'd highly recommend testing it all out a few times well before the wedding to make sure it works 🙂 good luck!

Kate - May 8, 2023, 10:59 a.m.

Thanks so much - that's great........the 12 inch works perfectly. Now for the 15 inch - I'm not sure if I'm brave enough, but it's worth testing it out :)

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Sooo good, this is like the best dessert I’ve ever made! My non-vegan family were super impressed. Definitely will be making it again!

Thanks for the great recipe. I have one question my batter is no way as liquid as yours. Actually needs to be scooped into the cake tin rather than poured as I see you doing in the video. I double checked the ingredients and I didn’t miss anything out, so what could be the cause of this and what effect will it have on the finished cake?

PUL Team - May 1, 2023, 11:59 p.m.

Hey there, AJ, thanks for sharing your experience with the recipe! Did you measure using the gram and mL amounts listed, or using the cup and Tbsp amounts? In case you use cup measurements, it might help to ensure that the flour isn't too packed in the cup, but rather, gently spooned into the measuring cup and levelled. This will ensure that not too much flour is added if you give the recipe another try. It's also possible the batter may have been over mixed so be sure to only stir until just combined. A thicker batter could result in a dense and moister cake. We hope it was still enjoyed 🤗

Aj - May 2, 2023, 7:17 a.m.

Thanks! You could be right with the flour, will try that next time!

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Ive made this thrice and the cakes have been soooooo good! Thanks so much Pick up limes!

PUL Team - April 20, 2023, 6:36 a.m.

Thank YOU, Nilukshi 🤗

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hello! i’m new to your channel and absolutely love it. my aunts birthday is coming up very soon on May 10th and she’s vegan, this will be my first time making a vegan cake! one question i do have is.. for the coffee, can i just do a pot of coffee instead? and do i leave the coffee as is? or do i have to put sugar and creamer to it. i’m stumped. i would appreciate your feedback as soon as possible, thank you for the wonderful recipe!

PUL Team - April 17, 2023, 4:56 a.m.

Hey Tristan, welcome to the PUL community! Thanks for trusting us with your first vegan cake❣️

If you don't have espresso, you can use black coffee instead. The chocolate flavour will be less rich, so dark roast may work best. If you want, you can also use water or plant milk as a substitute for espresso or coffee. The cake may be less chocolatey, but it should still taste great. We hope this helps for now!

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HI THERE
Im in the process of making this cake for my sons birthday
i have ripple pea milk added the table spoon of white vinegar and it wont curl help

PUL Team - April 14, 2023, 8:22 p.m.

Hey there, Maria, happy birthday to your son! Curdling can be impacted by temperature so I wonder if your milk is quite cold? It might help to warm it up a touch, but all-in-all, it's also okay if it doesn't curdle. The protein is indeed there, and that's what helps to contribute to the taste and texture of the cake overall. We hope you enjoy it 🤗

Maria Thompson - April 15, 2023, 9:11 a.m.

Thank you for the response ,
I made a new batch of the pea milk and vinegar
At it worked great .
This is the best vegan cake we have ever had !
I have bought vegan cakes from nice bakeries
They have nothing on this cake .
Thank you it’s amazing I will be marking it often .

PUL Team - April 15, 2023, 9:19 p.m.

Woohoo! So thrilled to hear, Maria 😃

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Hi Nadia! This was hands down the best chocolate cake with the best chocolate frosting I've ever had! The cake was spongy, chocolatey, moist and I couldn't believe how easy it was to make!
I'm not vegan and this was better than any chocolate cake I've had in the past. But my in laws are vegan and I made this for my father in law's 58th birthday party. It was a total hit. My mother in law and I love watching your content and your recipes. Thank you for sharing these wonderful recipes! I look forward to trying more! Wish you and Robin the very best :)

PUL Team - April 10, 2023, 7:05 p.m.

Hey Kin, awe you're much too kind! We're so thrilled the cake was enjoyed and honoured it was part of the 58th birthday festivities. Happy cooking 🤗

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My cake from your recipe is in the oven now :) But my soy milk didn't want to curdle - do you maybe have an idea why? I used unsweetened Alpro Soy milk with 3.3g protein, the most out of my available dairy. Even pea milk that we could buy had only 2.2g or 2.6g protein max. I used white wine vinegar, and I am based in the UK, if that makes a difference. I added the amount from the recipe, but then added a tiny bit more, I thought maybe it will make it to curdle, but not. The milk after 20min was a bit thicker but had no curdles. Thanks for your view on that.

PS. Your website with recipes is the most awesome website I have ever seen! The recipe is easy to follow, I shared it at work even before making the cake myself ;) Thanks for all the work you do, we love your videos and recipes

PUL Team - April 2, 2023, 8:11 p.m.

Hey Katie, thanks for sharing your experience with the recipe and helping make our PUL community so special ❣️ Curdling can be impacted by temperature so I wonder if your milk was quite cold? It might help to warm it up a touch if you give the recipe another try, but all-in-all, it's also okay if it doesn't curdle. The protein is indeed there, and that's what helps to contribute to the taste and texture of the cake overall. I hope it was enjoyed!

Katie - April 3, 2023, 6:08 p.m.

Thanks for your answer Nadia :)
I used the milk straight away from the fridge so it was cold, maybe that what the issue. I will definitely give it a go again, I loved it!!! 😍 It came out just fine without the curdling as you said. It will be now my ho to care recipe, way superior than the sponge cake I used to make

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Hi, I'm aboto make your chocolate cake for my son's 40th birthday. Can you let me know is the oven temperature 180⁰ for a fan oven? Cake look brilliant on YouTube!
Thanks

PUL Team - April 1, 2023, 2:46 a.m.

Hey Jacqui, happy birthday to your son! What a milestone 🙂 We haven't tested it out but imagine you could bump down the temperature to 325 °F (around 160°C) and/or bake the cake for less time. When a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean, the cake is good to go!

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My go-to cake recipe, always a hit!

So fluffy and decadent, I am so impressed!!!
I used virgin coconut oil because I couldn't find any refined in the supermarket but I can't notice a coconut taste! I also don't usually like coffee-flavoured things but I can't notice that either! It just tastes like chocolate.

This is my new go-to chocolate cake recipe <3 thank you so much!

PUL Team - March 30, 2023, 12:16 a.m.

Aw so happy to hear, Stef, it means so much! Thank YOU ☺️

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This was one of the best cakes I have ever made. It tasted better that non-vegan cakes. Thank you so much!!

Best cake ever! Thank you for the recipe! :) Wish you all the best

Trying to make these into cupcakes! Oven heat and time?

PUL Team - March 19, 2023, 5:37 p.m.

Hey Meghan, we've heard 320°F (160°C) for 25 minutes has worked well for some people. The cooking time and temperature might differ depending on your oven though - so we'd recommend keeping an eye on it. When a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean, the cupcakes are good to go 🙂

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Hi, I’m planning to make this on the weekend for my vegan friend’s birthday and I’m so excited. But quick question, I can’t seem to find a vegan butter for the frosting (they’re out of stock atm.) Could I use a vegan butter spread instead? Don’t know how I would adjust the rest of the ingredients for that. Please help! 🙏🏻

PUL Team - March 18, 2023, 2:18 a.m.

Hey Jessica, aw so nice of you to make it for your friend! We imagine you could, but the frosting may turn out softer. Adding some more powdered sugar should help thicken it up if needed 🙂 Happy bday to your friend! 🥳

Jessica Filoteo - March 19, 2023, 5:20 p.m.

Thank you! I managed to find a block of vegan butter after all and I’m making the cake now as I’m writing this. Will let you know what my friend thinks when I meet up with her. So excited 🤗

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Hi, This looks divine!
Could I use something else in place of the 180ml of applesauce? it's not so readily available in my town.

Thank you :) x

PUL Team - March 18, 2023, 2:04 a.m.

Hey L, we haven't tested it out, but you could likely use mashed banana. It may add a slight banana taste if they're more on the ripe side, so It could work better to use a touch less banana with a bit of water added so the consistency is comparable to applesauce. As an alternative, we've also heard positive reviews about swapping the applesauce for yogurt, such as 6-7 tablespoons from Jaagrit. We hope you enjoy the cake if you're able to give it a try 🙂

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Me and my sister made this cake yesterday for my birthday and it's one of the best cakes I've ever had. We baked it in heart shaped cake pans and added a lot of strawberries on top of the cake afterwards which made it look really cute! Thank you for such a delicious recipe :)

PUL Team - March 9, 2023, 8:09 p.m.

Aw love the heart shape, Fanny, that sounds super cute! Wishing you a very happy birthday 🥰

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Wonder I am about to try this recipe out once I get all the ingredients ready thank you
Regards,
Mr Mwangi

I'm wanting to make this for my husbands birthday! He doesn't like coffee, is there a way to make this without coffee?

PUL Team - March 7, 2023, 2:47 p.m.

Hey Amber! The coffee enhances the taste of the chocolate. You can substitute it for water or plant milk if desired. The cake may be a tad less chocolatey but it should still be delicious 🙂

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This!!!! This has to be the perfect chocolate cake! It has become a definite favourite in my family (non-vegan) and they even ask me to make it now when they come over for a birthday, haha. I also make it whenever my husband and I have to be at a celebration and we just know there'll be nothing vegan; also, hubby is lactose-intolerant, so there simply would be nothing for him. Normally he would get some sad substitute, but now never feels left out anymore.
Thanks sooo much, I really enjoy trying out your recipes and watching your videos for some good vibes!!

PUL Team - March 7, 2023, 2:15 p.m.

Oh, Regina, thank you for the glowing review - it means so much! Happy cooking 💛

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For my father’s birthday I made this cake with german buttercookie crumble on top :) Everyone really enjoyed it.
„Stopft‘n Loch“, as my German grandmother would say. (Literally= fills a hole).

I prepared the cake and frosting one day ahead separately and was a little worried as I saw how hard the frosting has got. I could have guessed it’s gonna be that way, nevertheless, I microwaved some frosting for 30s to make it spreadable again and it turned out great!

Thank you for this awesome recipe. If I want to make a good chocolate cake or frosting again, I will turn back to this recipe

PUL Team - March 3, 2023, 8:19 p.m.

Awe so happy the cake was part of the festivities and enjoyed, Minii, happy birthday to your father!

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Made this cake for my boyfriend and our friends and it was such a hit! One of the best chocolate cakes I’ve ever had! Thank you for the recipe : )

I’m visiting my parents for a week and I’d like to make this cake again for the family, however, I cannot seem to find applesauce anywhere and was thinking of replacing it with mashed ripe bananas this time, do you think that would turn out okay?

PUL Team - March 1, 2023, 9:51 p.m.

Awe so kind of you to make a cake for your parents, Noor, we hope you have a lovely time with them!

We haven't tested it out, but you could likely use mashed banana. It may add a slight banana taste especially if the bananas are more on the ripe side, so It probably would work better to try a touch less banana with a little water added so the consistency is comparable to applesauce. As an alternative, we've also heard positive reviews with swapping the applesauce for yogurt, such as 6-7 tablespoons from Jaagrit 😃

Noor - March 3, 2023, 8:52 a.m.

Thanks so much! I’m going to give it a try tonight : ) excited to have everyone try it!

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I really want to make this for son’s 2nd birthday. He has allergic to eggs and dairy but what can i replace expresso with?

PUL Team - March 1, 2023, 8:31 p.m.

Hey Bre, happy birthday to your son! The espresso helps bring out the chocolatey flavour but can be substituted for plant-based milk if desired 😃

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I made this one for my birthday last year and no-one believed it was vegan. It was an absolute hit. Brilliant recipe, thank you! I 😘

PUL Team - Feb. 28, 2023, 6:59 a.m.

Awe it means so much the cake was part of the celebration! Thank YOU, Martunia 🙂

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First time making vegan cake and it tourned out just perfect.

I made this cake for my friend's birthday party and it was gone before I even got to try a piece! So good and no one knew it was vegan!! Thank you for the recipe <3

PUL Team - Feb. 25, 2023, 7:53 a.m.

Oh we're so honoured to be part of the festivities, Is! Happiest of birthdays to your friend 🥳

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Hi! I made this today but it was a bitter. I wonder if I used the wrong cocoa powder.

PUL Team - Feb. 21, 2023, 11:07 p.m.

Hey Lalita, sorry to hear! Did you use Dutch-processed cocoa powder as listed? We prefer Dutch-processed cocoa powder since it's sweeter in flavour and dissolves easily in liquid compared to natural cocoa powder which is more bitter.

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Muy rico bizcocho, lo llevo haciendo hace un tiempo ya y sigue siendo mi favorito ♡

An absolutely splendid and rich cake. The texture and fluffiness of the cake is exquisite. Truly enjoyed making this recipe and will make it again

PUL Team - Feb. 19, 2023, 1:41 a.m.

So happy to hear, Christine, thank you 🙂

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I made this for my birthday last year, it was awesome!

PUL Team - Feb. 12, 2023, 12:02 a.m.

Happy belated birthday, Anne!! 😃

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This iz incredibly yummy

Helo, loved your work i have a question for u my girlfriend she's a lactose intolerance person can she eat this cake ?

PUL Team - Feb. 4, 2023, 4:21 a.m.

Hey Aravind, so kind of you to make a cake for your girlfriend! Yes, you can use soy or pea milk in this recipe if they're accessible which are both lactose-free. Happy baking 🤗

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I made this cake everybody loved it!!! They went wild!!! I didn't add the frosting. I will try jam next time. Thank you for blessing our taste buds!!!

PUL Team - Feb. 1, 2023, 6:09 p.m.

Awe so thrilled it was enjoyed, Garnet, and a lovely idea to try jam 😃

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Dear Pick up Limes!

I would like to thank for this recipe. My daughter has 6th Birthday and she has milk protein allergy. This is the first birthday cake what she had become. The first perfect recipe. Thank you so much 💝💝💝🥳🥳🥳.
She was very happy and the cake was very delicious. 💝💝💝
Ps: we used a little bit less sugar

PUL Team - Jan. 22, 2023, 6:24 p.m.

Hey there, Monika, happy happy birthday to your daughter! Thank you very much for emailing the pictures and allowing PUL to be part of the celebration 😃 💛

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love it!!

Sooo good, despite having a lot of mishaps in the kitchen, like 1/2 tsp short of baking power and having to use yogurt instead of soy milk since I only had oat milk and my scale being off. Somehow was so delicious. Thank you I finally have a signature dessert to take to friends or when I entertain.

PUL Team - Jan. 9, 2023, 9:38 a.m.

Oh good! I'm glad it all worked out in the end, Cindy! Thank you for making our desserts for your friends 🤗

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Dear Pick up Limes team,

Thank you very much for sharing the recipe. We baked the chocolate cake yesterday for our twins' third birthday. Everyone loved it.

May you all be happy.

PUL Team - Jan. 7, 2023, 11:28 a.m.

Happy 3rd birthday to the twins, Onny! 🥳 Thanks so much for making our cake for their special day, I'm so glad it was enjoyed!

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I'm not even fully done with this recipe and I know it's gonna taste amazing!! The consistency and taste of the batter!! - it's the only time I could ever taste raw batter since it's vegan. So decadent.
I'm about to start working on the frosting. I have a strong feeling this is going to be my staple recipe for chocolate cake! Please make more vegan versions of traditional desserts <3 You clearly have a nack for them! Well done :)

PUL Team - Jan. 6, 2023, 9:33 a.m.

Aw thanks so much for the enthusiasm, Chrissy, I hope the finished product was everything you hoped for and more! 🤗

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Hi PUL,
Love your work, this is my first time ever baking and I did it for my 4 yrs. Son's Bday, which it is today! I found it to be a bit to sweet for me but everyone love it.
Question: I don't drink coffee. It make me feel funny. what would you suggest to sub coffee with? I simply didn't add it to my mix but the consistency was a bit thick.
Thank you, immensely for what you do. May the Lord continue to bless your work.

PUL Team - Jan. 3, 2023, 9:05 a.m.

Hey Daniela, aw happy birthday to your son! Thanks for making our cake for his special day! Indeed, you'd want to swap it out for another liquid so the ratio of dry to wet remains the same. Simply adding equal parts plant milk or water should do the trick :)

Daniela - Jan. 3, 2023, 8:09 p.m.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. For a moment I got super excited to know that Saida was chatting with me, but I'm sure she is working on another recipe. Thanks PUL team. I hope to meet you in person one day!

PUL Team - Jan. 4, 2023, 12:10 p.m.

Haha this is Sadia ;) Our team is the one busy working on other recipes :P Big hug to you!

Daniela Gallegos - Jan. 11, 2023, 7:59 p.m.

Sadia, you just made my day!!! I really respect your passion and really appreciate what you all do and the way you share it with us. And as a way to say thank you I'm constantly sharing your videos with all of my people. Question, would you consider doing a video about wholesome snacks for toddlers. Thank you in advance.
Blessings.
Daniela

PUL Team - Jan. 13, 2023, 6:56 p.m.

Awe you're too sweet, Daniela! We've noted down the idea 😃

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Hello PUL!!

I have made the cake multiple times this season now and everytime it has been soo decadent and tasty ! I even made it for my sister with a dark chocolate frosting and she loved it !

I did have a quick question to see if there was a substitute for the bleached white flour ? Would almond flour or wheat flour work for this recipe ? Or any other healthy substitute ?

Thank you again for all the recipes, it just helped adopt to a healthier and vegan lifestyle ! Happy Holidays !

PUL Team - Dec. 30, 2022, 5:46 a.m.

Hey Jaini, thank you so much for your kindness! We haven't tried it out, but this recipe is quite delicate. We wouldn't suggest using whole wheat flour, but if you do want to experiment then perhaps a mix (such as 50:50 whole wheat to all-purpose) is an idea to start with.

All-purpose flour also has gluten which helps give the cake its structure, while almond flour is gluten-free. With that said, a mix of gluten-free flours usually works better than using just one flour on its own, such as a blend that includes almond flour. In case you're interested and haven't already seen, you may also be interested in our: Spiced Walnut & Fig Muffins which use almond flour: pickuplimes.com/recipe/spiced…. Hope this helps for now and wishing you a wonderful holiday season! 🤗

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I've made this cake SO many times for different occasions and everyone is always floored that it's vegan! I cannot thank you enough for creating this magic of a cake!!

PUL Team - Dec. 23, 2022, 1:28 a.m.

Aw it means so much, Marina, thank you 🤗

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Thank you so much for the recipe! The cake is very delicious, moist and chocolatey! I baked it for my daughter's birthday. Her friends could not believe it was totally vegan. I followed each recipe step and did not change anything, using a scale. I will bake it again for sure! THANK YOU!

PUL Team - Dec. 7, 2022, 6 a.m.

Woohoo! Happiest of birthdays to your daughter, Maria - we're so honoured the cake was part of the celebrations 😃

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Oh, yes. Made with King Arthur Measure for Measure gluten free flour. This cake is decadent, and no one would guess it’s vegan (and gf, in my case). No hint of coconut flavor either. And the top baked perfectly flat. This is a winner. Thanks for posting!

PUL Team - Dec. 4, 2022, 3:04 a.m.

We appreciate it so much, Matt! Thank YOU 🤗

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Following your instructions to the letter! My daughter swears she doesn't like anything plant-based but when she tried a piece of this delicious moist cake, she at first didn't want to believe the cake was purely vegan. She ate more than her fair share of the cake and hounding me now to make another! It was quite good so no doubt I will make another for the holidays. Can't wait to share some with the women at the Holiday Bizarre. Thanks for a lovely recipe. Happy Holidays!!!

PUL Team - Dec. 2, 2022, 9:15 p.m.

Oh so lovely to hear, Mama D, it means so much that the cake was enjoyed and will be part of the festivities! Wishing you the happiest of holidays 😃

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Could I bake this as a loaf?

PUL Team - Nov. 16, 2022, 4:23 a.m.

Hey Lily! We haven't given it a try but imagine it's possible. I'd recommend dividing the batter over two pans. The cooking time might also differ depending on the size of your pans - so keep an eye on it. When a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean, it's ready! Let us know how it goes if you give it a try 😃

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This was my first time making a cake from scratch - it turned out great! Made it for my husband's birthday and it was a hit with all of our friends. You truly cannot taste the difference at all from a non-vegan chocolate cake. I used an oven thermometer to ensure the oven was at 350F and the cake took ~38 minutes. :)

PUL Team - Nov. 13, 2022, 4:32 p.m.

Aw so kind of you to make a cake for your husband! Thank you, Laura, it means so much 🤗

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This is my first ever successful cake. Baking is not my thing. I had so many disappointments so I gave up making cakes.

Many confectioneries in my country struggle due to the higher energy costs caused by the war in Ukraine. Our favourite confectionery had to close its doors for the winter, right before my sister's birthday. They had amazing vegan cakes. Now I decided to surprise her with a homemade one. And she loves chocolate - lots of chocolate! So it's the perfect cake for her!

Thank you for the detailed instructions and tips. Maybe baking can be my thing after all. ☺️

PUL Team - Nov. 11, 2022, 1:46 a.m.

Oh, Ildi, it means so much - thank you for taking the time to share! Sending lots of love to you and your loved ones. Wishing your sister the happiest birthday, and happy baking too 💛

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Amazing!! My daughter.made it for my birthday. Absolutely delicious 😋

PUL Team - Nov. 9, 2022, 2:44 a.m.

Aw how kind of her! Wishing you the happiest birthday, Tracey 💛

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Thanks for the recipe. This cake is amazing! Delicious and not that complicated to make. Followed the instructions without any issues :-)

PUL Team - Oct. 16, 2022, 6:26 p.m.

Woohoo! Thank you, Elisabeth 😊

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I usually don't cook or bake or anything, but yesterday I made this and it turned out to be soo amazing. it was like heaven on earth!!! the cake was literally the softest, and the sponge created was also good... I felt like I messed up a bit but when I tasted it, I couldn't believe that I made it... lol

PUL Team - Oct. 12, 2022, 5:38 p.m.

Aw we're so glad it was enjoyed, Yashvi, it sounds like you're an incredible baker 😃

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Hi , can I just use self raising flour instead of plain and baking powder and baking soda ?
Thanks

PUL Team - Oct. 6, 2022, 5:06 p.m.

Hey Lisa, the chemistry for this cake is on the delicate side but self-rising may work with some experimenting. Usually, one cup of self-rising flour contains 1-1.5 tsp of baking powder and 1/4 tsp of salt which is slightly different than our ratios. Self-rising flour also has a tad more protein than all-purpose so the texture may change. Let us know if you give it a try 🙂

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Best cake ever 😊

Absolutely delicious, thank you! (In line with some of the other comments, I baked it at about 200C and then needed to have it in for about 50-55 min.)

PUL Team - Oct. 1, 2022, 8:14 a.m.

Thank you, Nienke, it means so much 😃

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Tried this in cupcake form (love the scaling feature of the website) and it is absolutely brilliant.
I am lactose sensitive and I am so grateful for this dessert. Thank you Sadia and Robin :) Would love for you folks to add more such recipes!

PUL Team - Sept. 22, 2022, 2:46 a.m.

So thrilled to hear, Meg, thank you! We've noted down the suggestion 😃

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Hi, I plan to make this cake but 8" is too big for me. Can I halve the recipe and use 6" pans?

PUL Team - Sept. 18, 2022, 5:01 p.m.

Hello Kat! 6-inch round pans hold just over half the amount as 8-inch pans so halving the recipe sounds like a good approach. To be sure the cake is done, we recommend checking with the "toothpick" method. If you insert a toothpick in the center of the cake and it comes out clean, it's ready 😊

Kat - Oct. 12, 2022, 1:03 a.m.

I just saw this comment. So I can use 2 6inch pans instead of 2 8inch pans if I halve the recipe? 🙂

PUL Team - Oct. 12, 2022, 3:42 a.m.

Hi Kat, yes, the baking time may be slightly different so we'd recommend keeping a closer eye on the cake 🙂

Kat - Oct. 13, 2022, 1:56 a.m.

Will I need to bake it longer or shorter? Sorry for the questions. This will be my first time to bake a cake 😅

PUL Team - Oct. 13, 2022, 6:22 a.m.

Hi Kat, no problem - we should have been more clear. Since there is less batter but a similar depth in the pans, the baking time may be less. Ovens tend to vary so to be safe, you could check on the cake more often, such as every 10 minutes or so. If you insert a toothpick in the center of the cake and it comes out clean, it's ready 😃

Kat - Oct. 14, 2022, 3:20 a.m.

Thank you for the tips! Scared but excited to try this recipe!😁

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I made this cake for my own wedding cake- (I needed to prepare a cake that suited everyone's allergies/ food intolerances). It was a major success; moist, not too sweet, just a perfect balance between the chocolate+ coffee+ coconut flavours. Thank you lovelies for the wonderful receipe!

PUL Team - Sept. 16, 2022, 4:56 p.m.

Aw we're so honoured the cake was part of the special occasion, Julie! Congratulations 💛

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I plan to make this in the next few days and have a stupid question. I went to the store to buy refined coconut oil. They had 2 types, one in liquid form like a vegetable oil. The other was a solid-like crisco. Would I use the solid form and just melt it? Your video does use the word 'melted', but was unsure if the store bought liquid form that was already 'melted' was what you are meaning. Thanks so much

PUL Team - Sept. 5, 2022, 12:56 a.m.

Hey there, Jade, no such thing as a silly question 😃 We tend to use the solid form of coconut oil and melt it (such as by warming it up gently in the microwave or by stirring). We've seen the liquid form at stores and that would work as well. We're always interested to learn about how they turn the coconut oil from its typical solid form to liquid for those varieties!

Jade - Sept. 5, 2022, 1:30 a.m.

Thank you!

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Can I substitute gluten free flour instead?

PUL Team - Aug. 28, 2022, 8:02 p.m.

Hi there, Marianne! We've heard several positive reviews using Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour or a homemade mix of gluten-free flours. A mix of gluten-free types of flour usually works better than using just one gluten-free flour on its own. Do let us know how it goes if you're able to try the cake 😃

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Hi I don't have a hand blender I tried making frosting by my hand it turned out fluffy but the powdered sugar is noticeable when i am tasting it. I something wrong with my powdered sugar or it cannot be made without electric blender

PUL Team - Aug. 28, 2022, 7:14 p.m.

Hey Tanisha, you can mix by hand although it will certainly take longer to mix everything together. It could be worth giving the frosting more of a mix to make sure the ingredients are evenly spread out!

If it's all mixed thoroughly and still tastes overly strong, did you add all of the other ingredients, such as the vanilla extract and chocolate? These help to balance out the flavours. It also could be possible that too much sugar was added. Did you measure using the gram and mL amounts listed, or using the cup and Tbsp amounts? In case you used cup measurements, perhaps it might help to ensure that the sugar isn't too packed in the cup, but rather, gently spooned into the measuring cup and levelled. This will ensure that not too much sugar is added if you give the recipe another try. We hope this helps for now 🙂

Tanisha - Sept. 8, 2022, 5:51 p.m.

hi, I used cup measurement. My frosting was grainy but still everybody liked it so it was a win win. Will try again sometime and see if it again comes out grainy. I tried twice till now. Anyhow the taste was amazing

Kim - Sept. 23, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

It’s so crucial to sift the powder sugar and I also throw my coco powder through the sifter as well and it makes all the difference.

Misshamthropy - Dec. 31, 2022, 9:06 a.m.

If it’s grainy maybe accidentally you are using caster sugar instead of icing sugar?

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This was so delicious! I only needed one of the layers when I baked this, so put the other one in the freezer and it held up really well! Still moist and delicious, and held it's structure when defrosting ☺️ Couldn't really tell the difference. 10/10 💛

PUL Team - Aug. 17, 2022, 3:37 p.m.

Oh very interesting! Thanks for taking the time to share, Livia 🙂

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One of the best chocolate cakes ever. Moist, rich and deeply flavored.

PUL Team - Aug. 13, 2022, 8 a.m.

Aww thank you, Bari, enjoy!

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Hey Sadia!
This looks delicous. I am going to try and create muffins out of this recipe, so I can take the leftovers to the office. Think it could work?

PUL Team - Aug. 13, 2022, 12:42 a.m.

Hi there, Sophia! We haven't tested it out although we're heard a positive review from Carolyn in May who made cupcakes. We imagine they'll need less time in the oven and the cupcakes may be a bit more on the heavy side. Do let us know if you experiment with it☺️

Sophia - Aug. 16, 2022, 10:44 a.m.

Hey!
I've tried it and they turned out amazing. Really heavy, but delicious.
I reduced the temperature to 160°C and left them in the oven for 25 minutes. :)

PUL Team - Aug. 17, 2022, 2:05 a.m.

Ooo thanks for the update, Sophia! We'll have to give it a try soon 🧁

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This is the best cake my family and I have ever eaten. We normally don't like cake all that much, but in the two times that I've made this cake, it was gone in two days. Love this recipe.

PUL Team - Aug. 11, 2022, 3:23 p.m.

Such a big compliment, Yolanda! We're so happy to hear the cake was enjoyed 😊

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I made this cake for our non-vegan friend's recent birthday. A 10 out of 10. It was a big hit. I followed the recipe exactly and it came out and presented perfectly. I used the same fresh fruit garnish, as suggested, and it was as good-looking as it was good-tasting. I'm always pleased that non-vegans are amazed how good things taste when they find out it's plant-based! Greetings from West Kelowna, BC.

PUL Team - Aug. 3, 2022, 5:17 p.m.

Hey there, Stephen, we're so thrilled the recipe was enjoyed on the special occasion! It means so much. Sending an abundance of love to West Kelowna 💛

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Best vegan cake I've ever had!

Turned out to be the best cake ever!<3

Made this cake with some modifications based on our diet and ingredients available and it turned out amazing, thank you PUL! I halved the recipe since I was only making it for 2 people (so 6 servings) and skipped the buttercream to reduce the calories from butter & sugar in our diet. Just the sponge cake alone is pretty tasty with tea or coffee. Here's the modifications I made if it helps anyone else for 1/2 the recipe / 6 servings -
1. Swapped applesauce for 6-7 tbsp of yogurt (based on how liquidy the yogurt is).
2. Swapped espresso for instant coffee
3. Swapped soy mil with regular cow's milk, coz we're not fully vegan and that's what I had on hand. Worked great, did need to warm up the milk like 15 seconds in microwave for it to curdle with vinegar.
4. Reduced the 3/4 cup of sugar to 1/2 cup and it's still pretty sweet.
5. Took 40-45 min in the oven instead.
It came out a bit hard on the edges when it was warm, super soft on the inside. But it was all super soft the next day (had cut the pieces and stored in an airtight box). So delicious, adding it our favorite recipes list!

PUL Team - July 29, 2022, 5:41 a.m.

Thank you for taking the time to share, Jaagrit, we're so happy the cake was enjoyed 🙂

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I did the recipe for my friend's birthday yesterday, everyone loved it ! Pretty easy to make. I swaped the flour for a gluten free flour mix and it worked just as well. The only downside : it is waaaay too sweet omg, next time I'll cut the sugar by 2 at least ! ;)

PUL Team - July 28, 2022, 2:21 p.m.

Aw so happy it was enjoyed with the modifications and thank you for the feedback, Louise! Adjusting the flour can be a little tricky for baked goods sometimes. Wishing your friend the happiest birthday ✨

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This was the best cake ever!!!! I made it for a wedding and everyone loved it. Will definitely make it again. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe :)

PUL Team - July 28, 2022, 7:16 a.m.

Oh we're so honoured it was part of the special day, Jessi, thank YOU!

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This was the best chocolate cake I’ve had in a long time! I cut the recipe in half and used unrefined coconut oil and a bag of vanilla tea to make the coconut oil less prevalent. I also just used black coffee flavored with vanilla in place of the espresso. I put a layer of homemade strawberry jam and coated the cake in a dark chocolate ganache. The texture was perfect and the cake was delicious. Thank you for sharing your recipe and for including the weights of the ingredients! .

PUL Team - July 22, 2022, 7:57 a.m.

Such a big compliment, Amelia, and thanks a bunch for sharing your experience with it! We're so glad the cake was enjoyed. The strawberry jam and dark chocolate sound delightful 😍

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I cut the recipe to 1/3rd and split it between two 5 inch circular tins. I didn’t have espresso but used a 1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee in 40ml of water. Oddly, there were white chunks after baking and I’m not sure if this was the curdled soymilk or coconut oil but it tasted fine. Everyone thought they were walnut chunks.

I topped it with a matcha buttercream and everyone raves about it! Will definitely make again

PUL Team - July 20, 2022, 4:06 a.m.

Hey Victoria, thanks a bunch for taking the time to share your experience with this one! Matcha buttercream sounds delicious 😍 There may have been chunks in the cake if the batter wasn't mixed enough, such as flour or oil lumps. Sometimes cake batter can "break" when ingredients we're trying to mix are too cold to combine as well, so perhaps allowing ingredients to warm up slightly can also help if you give the cake another try and they were on the colder side. In any case, we're so glad it was still enjoyed!

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Hi Miss Sadia! I am planning to make this cake for my baby's upcoming "monthsary". However, kids here have G6PD deficiency and because of that peas and soy milk are not okay to consume. I was wondering if I can use cashew milk as substitute? Thank you so much!

PUL Team - July 16, 2022, 3:36 p.m.

Hey there, Mariele, thanks for the question and congratulations on the special occasion! The high protein content of soy or pea milk is what allows the milk to curdle to create vegan buttermilk. We can't guarantee other plant-based milk will be successful, although we've had a positive review from Vidya on December 8th who used a blend of cashew and oat milk. We hope this helps for now, and the cake is enjoyed you're able to give it a try 🤗

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This cake is amazing! I made it for our son and husband's father's day! I did not do the berries, instead I made the top super flat, sprinkled coco and cinnamon and had little plastic dinosaurs walking around. Kids were impressed. Dad loved it also. Also had quite a bit of icing left over which I threw in the freezer to use on cupcakes down the road. 5 stars for sure.

PUL Team - July 14, 2022, 7:41 p.m.

Aw we're so glad the cake was enjoyed, Jocelyne! Love the alternative topping ideas too 🙂

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Hello! This looks amazing and would loveeee to try to make it into a bento cake, could I ask how to convert directions to fit a sheet pan (9x13)? Thank you!

PUL Team - July 13, 2022, 5:43 a.m.

Hey Kiwi! We've heard positive reviews with using larger rectangular pans, although if you have a tad smaller pan that might work nicer. A 9 by 13-inch pan is over double the size of two round 8 inch pans. Usually, we want about half the pan to be filled with batter which would be equivalent to around 1.5x this recipe (three 8 inch round pans). If you opt to use the larger rectangular pan without adjusting the portions, the bake time will likely be a tad less, so we'd recommend keeping a closer eye and using a thin wooden skewer to check for readiness. We hope this helps for now and you enjoy the cake if you give it a try 😊

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I tried baking it (was my first time baking a cake) and I must say it was DELICIOUS!! Thank you so much Sadia for the recipe :).

PUL Team - July 6, 2022, 8:44 p.m.

Woohoo! So honoured, Shirley, thank you 😃

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Tastes and looks AMAZING, the recipe is so easy to follow and takes so little time. I wasn't a fan of butter-based frostings, but this one is so delicious 😊 Will be making it again very soon!

PUL Team - July 4, 2022, 6:34 p.m.

So happy to hear, Lorena, thank you! Enjoy ✨

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I’m definitely going to try this recipe and I’m wondering if I could limit the sugar. I’m not used to baking and I know cakes are a delicate chemistry so I don’t want to ruin it, but I’d prefer to lessen the sugar.

Doable?

Thank you!

PUL Team - July 2, 2022, 4:14 p.m.

Hi Frances! This recipe is more stringent so adding less sugar will likely impact the cake chemistry. Perhaps it's one to try with sugar if able, but if you experiment with it do less us know how it goes. We hope you enjoy the cake if you're able to give it a try 🙂

Irene - Dec. 29, 2022, 7:25 p.m.

hey there, I have tried the recipe multiple times with (always) less sugar. So although I don't have the exact reference of the original cake, I would say the cake always turned out perfectly fluffy yet moist! I think I used 170-200g of sugar for the default servings of the recipe (1x) ☺️
Also very delicious with a glass of sour cherries mixed into the batter!

It is a staple of mine now 💚

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Best ever vegan chocolate cake!!! Hubby only likes specific cakes, but since I have a lactose intolerance and he us gluten intolerant, I was so nervous in making it, but it turned out P-E-R-F-E-C-T-L-Y. Officially converted hubby to homemade cakes only...was definitely the best- no IBS side-effect initiator cake. Thank you sooo much @PickUpLimes

PUL Team - June 29, 2022, 2:01 a.m.

Oh, Kim0, thank you for the glowing feedback! We're incredibly grateful to hear and are so happy to hear 🌻

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I made it first for my colleagues, and I was incredible. The texture is so perfect, the chocolate, the frosting... a-ma-zing !
The only trouble is now my friend want it to, and same for my family 😂 but as I'll have a bite each time, I guess I can handle that 😏 thanks so much, it''s perfectly... perfect.

PUL Team - June 27, 2022, 5:02 a.m.

We're so glad the cake was enjoyed, Eléonor! So kind of you to think of making it for all of them 😃

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I finally posted the recipe on instagram and on my website;
Thank you, thank you, thank you

I made this cake for my birthday and it was such a great choice! The sponge was really soft, light and airy and the frosting was the cherry on top. I cannot wait to find an excuse to make this again. I also loved that you talked us through the cooking process, that was insightful and as a lover of cooking, I love to learn about the details of why things work and I do not easily find information on the science of vegan baking, so thanks for sharing your knowledge, Sadia.

PUL Team - June 17, 2022, 7:07 a.m.

Hey there, Rajni, aw we're incredibly grateful you've taken the time to share the very kind words with us! We're so thrilled it was part of the special day and thank YOU for the support, Rajni ❣️

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Hei! I chose this for my birthday cake few months ago. It turned incredible! Súper beatiful súper tasty,
Your web is very nice, userfriendly AMD géneros of details!

PUL Team - June 15, 2022, 8:07 p.m.

Hey Laura, we're so honoured it was part of the special day and thank you for the kind words! Happy belated birthday 🥳

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Oh my god, I made this cake twice in row because it tasted so good and I had leftovers! The second time I baked the batter in flat dish so I could roll the frosting inside. I will make it my new tradionnal yule log recipe!

PUL Team - June 15, 2022, 4:06 a.m.

Oh wow, Pauline, the rolled frosting sounds so incredible! We appreciate the kind words and insight so much ✨

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Holy Moly!! Made this cake &, boy, it delivered! My son & his vegan girlfriend visited. Girlfriend was so excited, & beyond thrilled how this turned out. I would 10/10 recommend & would make it for any occasion (vegan or not). One thing I did do different was take the parchment paper from the making the circles for the cake pans & cut the in half. Then I placed the 1/2s on the cake plate w/ a slight overlapping at the cuts, w/ the cake on top (instead of cutting many pieces) then frosted & removed when done. Looking forward to delving more deeply into your recipes, moving my family’s diet to vegan. Thanks!!!

PUL Team - June 15, 2022, 4:03 a.m.

Oh, Anne, how kind of you to make the cake for your son and his girlfriend! We appreciate you sharing the modification as well. Wishing you and your family all the best on the vegan transition. We hope it's a rewarding journey for you 🌱💛

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This was an amazing amazing cake!! Thank you so much for sharing! Dense but light! And baked in the time perfectly 🤩
I had used miyokos butter for the icing, which trended to run as it’s quite warm here…any tips on vegan butter? The flora plant butter which is the other plant based butter has a very distinctive oily taste but it does hold better..

Anne W - June 11, 2022, 5:58 p.m.

I also used the miyokos butter & did notice a bit of ‘melting’ when I was frosting the cake. Was able to get it on thicker, then refrigerated. Would like to hear other’s experience w/ different plant-based butter, especially non-nut butter. Have a daughter with a nut allergy. Hoping it’s not the butter that made the frosting so outrageously delicious.

PUL Team - June 15, 2022, 3:18 a.m.

Hey Amy and Anne, thanks a bunch for the question and for sharing your experience with us! We're so happy the cake is being enjoyed. Frosting can definitely be tricky sometimes. The vegan butter we use most often is Flora. You could also use hard margarine (that isn't spreadable) if you enjoy the taste of that more, or if it's easier to find unsalted margarine if you can't find an alternative unsalted vegan butter.

For the frosting melting a tad, adding some more powdered sugar should also help thicken it up. Overworking the frosting can heat it up, which can cause it to become runnier. In this case, it may help to let the mixture sit to cool down, even in the fridge, for a bit. We hope this helps for now 🤗

Amy - June 17, 2022, 1:37 p.m.

Thank you 😊😊😊

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Amazing! Not just 'good for a vegan cake,' this is the only chocolate cake recipe I will be using. Make this cake, you will not regret it!

PUL Team - June 10, 2022, 10:51 p.m.

Such a massive compliment, Laura, it means so much 🥰

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it must be delicious ..... only, I would like to try to make this cake without using sugar: is it possible??

PUL Team - May 30, 2022, 4:13 p.m.

Hey there, Constança! This recipe is more stringent so we can't say with confidence as we haven't tested it out. Do let us know if you give the cake a try 🙂

constança - June 4, 2022, 6:17 p.m.

Thank you!! I will definitely try it and let you know the outcome!

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Hi! I’m making your cake recipe this weekend and I wanted to use 4 inch pans. Do I have to change the temperature/time or recipe ingredients since the recipe is for 8 inch pans?

PUL Team - May 24, 2022, 2:45 a.m.

Hey Daniella, is this for 4-inch round or rectangular pans? Perhaps if they're round 4-inch pans then halving the recipe may be helpful to avoid excess batter. We'd recommend trying to not overfill the pans and using the same oven temperature as well. The baking time will likely be less in this case so to be sure the cake is done, we recommend checking with the "toothpick" method. If you insert a toothpick in the centre of the cake and it comes out clean, it's ready ☺️

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<3 <3 <3

Hi!
I used your recipe to make cupcakes and they sank :( Is there anything I should do so that I can this recipe for cupcakes?
Great recipe by the way! The cupcakes are still super moist :))

PUL Team - May 16, 2022, 6:24 p.m.

Hey Chelsea! Thanks for sharing your experience with this one, perhaps turning the oven temperature down a tad and being sure to use fresh leavening agents would help. Sometimes if the oven temperature is too high it can cause cupcakes to rise quickly and then they fall flat later on. Fresh baking powder, baking soda, and salt can also help to promote an even rise 🙂

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I made this for my grandmother. And she was in a state of awe. We loved the perfect level of sweetness and loved the berries on top. The balance of sour and chocolatiness. I would do a black forest next time with cherry jam in the middle and a little bit of whipped vegan cream. Totally would make again. (no one knew it was vegan).

PUL Team - May 11, 2022, 5:03 p.m.

Oh we're so delighted the cake was enjoyed, Nitya, it means so much! Love the black forest idea 😍

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Honestly the best chocolate cake I’ve ever ate

I made it for my Sis, it's her 21st birthday tomorrow <3
The frosting wouldn't harden - it was too 'watery', but maybe I just overmixed. I put it in the fridge for some time and it was all good.
The taste is amazing, thank you!!!

PUL Team - May 6, 2022, 12:35 a.m.

Hey Madzia, we're so honoured the cake was part of the celebrations! Overmixing or using plant-based butter that's more on the melted side could promote a watery frosting. We're so glad that placing it in the fridge helped. Happy birthday to your sister 🥳

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My husband made this cake as a surprise for me to celebrate Eid, and we thoroughly enjoyed every bite! One of the best vegan cakes I’ve eaten in the 9 years of being vegan. Can’t wait to make it again for future special occasions.

PUL Team - May 3, 2022, 4:47 a.m.

Awe so kind of him to surprise you, Mai! Eid Mubarak 💚

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I made them into cupcakes and my family and coworkers loved them, many people couldn’t believe they were plant based!

PUL Team - May 2, 2022, 3 a.m.

Mmm cupcakes sound delicious! Thank you, Carolyn 🙂

Vanessa - May 18, 2022, 2:56 a.m.

Did you adjust baking time and/or temperature for the cupcakes? Thinking of adapting to cupcakes for a picnic.

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Hey guys, I think you have an error in your metric measurements with the sugar. It says 336g which would be more than the flour. So I put 236g in my batter....worked fine. Maybe you can change it? Great recipe otherwise!

PUL Team - May 2, 2022, 3 a.m.

Hey Christina, thanks for taking the time to share! We've had three of our PUL team members gently spoon and level both flour and sugar into a measuring cup for our measurements. We found approximately 224 grams of sugar per cup which was a tad higher than the USDA measurement of 200 grams per cup. Just in case though, we'll note down the feedback in case others report the measurement off. We're glad the cake was still enjoyed in any case 😃

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Thank you for the cake recipe I was wondering what brand of Dutch cocoa powder did you use as well as the soy milk, vanilla extract and coconut oil?

PUL Team - April 29, 2022, 5:32 p.m.

Hey Mia, we use the Droste brand for Dutch-processed cocoa powder: https://amzn.to/3vU22H5. Many brands are great for soy milk, vanilla extract, and coconut oil so for these, we tend to purchase whatever our local grocery store has in stock. You can find some sample brands in our shop here though: https://www.pickuplimes.com/s…. We hope this helps for now 🙂

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I made this cake two times now and it had atomic success. Beautiful, delicious and just big enough for a group of 10-12 people on a birthday party. It has so much sugar though, that it really is a special treat, only for celebrations.

PUL Team - April 25, 2022, 3:43 a.m.

So happy the cake is being enjoyed, Kitti 🙂

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THANK you PUL for an amazing recipe! I just attempted this recipe, for my two teenage brothers joint birthday celebration. It was a hit! It looked beautiful, and tasted even better! So deliciously chocolatey, and perfectly moist and fluffy. Everyone just loved it!
Sincerely thank you for taking the time to create such a fabulous recipe. Xox

PUL Team - April 23, 2022, 4:22 p.m.

So honoured it was part of the special occasion, Carla, thank YOU! Wishing your brothers a very happy birthday 🥳

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Fantastic cake! I made it at least 10 times now over the last couple of years and every single time I managed to impress my guests with it. It is rich and scrumptious and now my go to festive dessert. Thank you so much Sadia for sharing it! 🤗🤍🤗

PUL Team - April 22, 2022, 5:22 a.m.

Awe we're so glad the cake is being enjoyed, Andreea, thank you!

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Have you tried making this recipe in cupcake form? Would you recommend it? Thanks.

PUL Team - April 18, 2022, 9:09 p.m.

Hey Sharon, we haven't tested it out although that's a fun idea! We imagine they'll need less time in the oven and the cupcakes may be a bit more on the heavy side. Do let us know if you experiment with it ☺️

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I need to remind you that mls have nothing to do with weight or grams .. unless you're weighing water.
Could you fix that in the printed recipe please? Thanks!

PUL Team - April 18, 2022, 8:39 p.m.

Hey Jakki, thanks a bunch for taking the time to share the comment and feedback. It's appreciated to help PUL improve! We've opted to use millilitres for liquidy ingredients since these can be measured by volume as well as weight. We'll note down the feedback for future content and in the meantime if you're interested in weight rather than volume perhaps an online converter or the USDA nutrient database may be helpful: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov. Thanks again, Jakki 😊

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Super Kuchen hab ihn jetzt zum zweitenmal an Ostern gemacht:)

PUL Team - April 18, 2022, 1:37 a.m.

Thanks Idda! Wishing you a happy Easter 😃

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This cake was delicious! It was the perfect texture and not overly sweet.

PUL Team - April 17, 2022, 6:49 a.m.

We're so happy the cake was enjoyed, Susie!

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Everyone loooved it!! I didn't have two smaller tins and instead used one slightly bigger tin, baked it about 5 minutes longer and then cut the cake into two layers -- turned out great! I will definitely make this again for a special occasion!

PUL Team - April 13, 2022, 3:07 a.m.

Mmm sounds lovely, Anneke, and so happy to hear!

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Made this cake for my partners birthday! It was out-of-this-world delicious!! Everyone loved it and I even made it with gluten-free flour, turned out perfect!

PUL Team - April 11, 2022, 9:46 p.m.

So thrilled it was part of the celebration and enjoyed, Rachel, happy birthday to your partner 🥳

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Loved making this, and it tasted divine!

Only question I have is if you know any alternatives to applesauce I could use? Because where I'm from I can't find any unsweetened applesauce.

All the best!

Jack

PUL Team - April 11, 2022, 3 p.m.

Hi Jack, thanks for the question! The applesauce helps add a touch of sweetness and liquid. We haven't tested it out, but mashed bananas may be an alternative to experiment with. You could add a touch of water to thin it out so the consistency is similar to applesauce. We hope this helps for now and do let us know if you give it a try 🙂

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This is going to be our wedding cake! We have even tested it with GF flour, and our friend (who has recently had to remove gluten tdue to a sensitivity) says it's still amazing :D

PUL Team - April 10, 2022, 5:31 a.m.

Oh my gosh what a pleasure, Babs, it means so much! We hope the celebration goes well ✨

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This cake is a serious crowd pleaser. I made it as a birthday cake for my son and everyone wanted to take some home afterwards. Thank you Sadia!

PUL Team - April 5, 2022, 9:12 p.m.

Aw we're so honoured it was part of the special occasion and enjoyed, Claire! Happiest of birthdays to your son 🥳

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can I make a gluten free version just by replacing the flour to a GF flour or do I have to make any other adjustments?

PUL Team - April 5, 2022, 7:41 p.m.

Hi there, Kat! We've heard several positive reviews using Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour or a homemade mix of gluten-free flours. A mix of gluten-free flours usually works better than using just one gluten-free flour on its own. Do let us know how it goes if you're able to try the cake ☺️

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I made this cake for my family and they loved it!
I added a raspberry coulis on top and it was AMAZING!
It was also relatively easy to make :)

PUL Team - April 5, 2022, 5:26 a.m.

Ooo sounds lovely, Tatiana, we're so happy the cake was enjoyed!

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Hello Sadia,
My husband made this cake for our wedding anniversary and it was incredible. The texture and flavor of both cake and frosting was perfect. The aroma oh my. We specifically ordered the linked Dutch cocoa powder and refined coconut oil you recommended and so glad we did. This is truly the best! My husband is 70 and says it’s the best he’s ever had. I sent you an email photo of him making it and the finished product.
Warm regards,
Patty

PUL Team - April 3, 2022, 11:42 p.m.

Hello dearest Patty, thank you for the incredible review and kind words! What an honour that the cake was part of the special occasion. Happy anniversary to you and your husband ❣️

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Hi! Thanks for the recipe! May I know what can i substitute with for the apple sauce?

PUL Team - April 3, 2022, 10:42 p.m.

Hey Py! The applesauce helps to add a touch of sweetness and liquid. We haven't tested it out, but mashed bananas may be an alternative to experiment with if that's more accessible. You could add a touch of water to thin it out so the consistency is similar to applesauce. We hope this helps for now and do let us know if you experiment with it 😃

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Hi Sadia,

Love your recipes!

If I wanted to do a marble cake would it be safe to just omit the cocoa powder from some of the batter to create a vanilla?

PUL Team - April 2, 2022, 4:38 a.m.

Hey there, Gaby, what an interesting idea! If desired we imagine omitting the cocoa powder in part of the batter could help achieve the marble design. This cake is a bit more on the delicate side and the base doesn't have a vanilla flavour though, so what may work better is to add some cocoa powder to part of the batter in our vanilla cake recipe instead: pickuplimes.com/recipe/vanill…. We hope this helps for now and hopefully, we can share a marble cake recipe soon 🍰

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Hello, Sadia . My name is Mėta .

I wanted to ask you if I can change the flour into oat flour or
coconut flour? Will it still be delicious

PUL Team - March 28, 2022, 8:33 p.m.

Hey Mėta, thanks for the question! We haven't tested it out although wouldn't recommend it. The gluten in all-purpose flour helps give the cake its texture and structure that an alternative gluten-free flour, such as oat or coconut, may not offer on its own. However, a mix of gluten-free flours generally works better than using just one gluten-free flour on its own if you're interested 😊

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This was a wonderful cake. Even those who were concerned that it would not taste good because it was vegan thought it was very tasty. Recipe was easy to follow and I really like the feature in which you can cross out the ingredients and instructions once complete. Thank you.

PUL Team - March 27, 2022, 9:43 p.m.

Aw thanks a bunch for the incredible feedback, Rene', it means so much!

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Hi Sadia, I don’t have any all purpose flour but I have whole meal flour or self raising flour. Can any of these be substituted instead? Thank you!

PUL Team - March 27, 2022, 9:25 p.m.

Hey Shiloh, we haven't tested either out although the chemistry for this cake is on the delicate side. We wouldn't recommend whole meal flour because of this. Self-rising may work with some adjustments. Usually, one cup of self-rising flour contains 1-1.5 tsp of baking powder and 1/4 tsp of salt so you may want to decrease these in the recipe per each cup of flour used. Self-rising flour also has a tad more protein than all-purpose so the texture may change. We hope this helps for now, Shiloh, and the cake is enjoyed if you're able to give it a try 😊

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I love love love your blog! And so glad I found this recipe. I am not a vegan but we don’t eat eggs. So I will alter this recipe by using milk products and gluten free(allergies) flour. If I scale the recipe to 6 servings, will it fit in a double 6” pan? How can I make it fit 6” pans?

PUL Team - March 27, 2022, 9 p.m.

Hey PK, 6-inch round pans hold just over half the amount as 8-inch pans so halving the recipe sounds like a good approach. To be sure the cake is done, we recommend checking with the "toothpick" method. If you insert a toothpick in the centre of the cake and it comes out clean, it's ready 🙂

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Amazing cake; a super hit with the kids and adults alike. Simple to make and clear instructions. The video was superb as well. So many people who ate the cake asked for the recipe. Thank you so much!

PUL Team - March 26, 2022, 11:44 p.m.

Aw it means so much, Seema, thank YOU ✨

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Dear Sadia, just another delicacy! I tried it for my son's nameday celebration and it was a crowd pleaser! Thank you very much! Since my cake pan was 28 cm wide, I doubled the frosting (the cakes were just shorter than yours I guess) and it was actually perfect!

PUL Team - March 26, 2022, 9:36 p.m.

Beyond honoured the cake was part of the celebration, Marilena! 🤩

Marilena - March 26, 2022, 9:43 p.m.

😍🤩

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I’m so glad y’all made a video for this recipe! I made this cake a couple of years ago for my birthday and wished there was a video. It turned out delicious! I’ll have to make it again!

PUL Team - March 26, 2022, 6:33 p.m.

We're so glad it was enjoyed on the special occasion, Mandy, thank you!

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Hi Sadia, this recipe looks easy and yummy!! I want to bake this cake and I have a question before doing so.
Would I have the same results by using granulated sweetener instead of sugar and do I have to change the grams used?
Also, I don't have 2 round cake pans but only 1 in a heart shape. If I pour the entire mixture in the cake pan I have will it bake? Or do I have to decrease the serving portion to 6 servings so it can bake?

PUL Team - March 24, 2022, 12:46 a.m.

Hi there, Xenia! We wouldn't recommend using a granulated sweetener, such as Splenda or alternatives, in place of the sugar. The granulated sweeteners are sweeter than granulated sugar so less would be needed which will impact the cake chemistry. This recipe tends to be a little more stringent so perhaps it's one to try with sugar if able.

The heart-shaped pan sounds super cute! Do you happen to know what size it is by any chance? From what we've seen they tend to be around 9x2x9 inches which will fit slightly more batter than the 8x2 inch round cakes. Halving the recipe is one approach as all of the batter likely won't fit into the pan. We hope you enjoy the recipe if you're able to give it a try 😊

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Hi Sadia. Thank you for the recipe. This is such a lovely moist cake. And very easy to bake. Everyone in the family without exception loved it. I followed your recipe precisely, but yet the cake cracked at the side and rose enevenly. Secondly, the centre of the cake was relatively less cooked than the sides. Even so the cake was a big hit, and none could believe that it was vegan. I am going to try your other recipes too. 😊

PUL Team - March 23, 2022, 3:17 a.m.

Hey Rangi, thanks for sharing your experience. When a cake cracks or the inside is less cooked than the outside it's often a sign that our oven temperature is a tad too high. It can be tricky since ovens vary, although we'd recommend lowering the temperature if your oven tends to be on the powerful side and you give the cake another try! Ensuring the cake is in the middle rack can also help for even heat distribution. We hope this helps for now and are glad the cake was still enjoyed ✨

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Hey my lovely PUL friends,
As Sadia warn us baking is science that I really want to stick and just follow the recipe you give us. But when it comes to pour coffee part i got trouble. I am allergic to anything contains coffeine, should i just miss this part or simply substitute to water/ coconut water? Thank you guys so mcuh, can't wait to try this delectable cake.

PUL Team - March 23, 2022, 2:49 a.m.

Hello dear Siyu! The coffee serves to enhance the taste of the chocolate. You can substitute it for water or plant milk if desired. The cake may be a tad less chocolatey but it should still be delicious 😊

siyu - March 23, 2022, 4:30 p.m.

Got it! Guess want, i found the coffee without coffeine. Would like to give all them a try(with coffee,water or plant milk)and find my desirable combination, really looking forward to the journey. Thank you for helping me and the clear answer not only let me know how but also why. Wish you a good day◡̈

PUL Team - March 24, 2022, 12:21 a.m.

No problem, Siyu! Just a heads up in case you're interested and quite sensitive to caffeine, sometimes decaffeinated coffee has small amounts of caffeine in it :)

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Just made this, and it is wonderful! Rich and moist. No one will know this is vegan. Great cake, but please make a vanilla too!!

PUL Team - March 21, 2022, 1:50 a.m.

We're so glad it's being enjoyed, Amanda! We have a vanilla cake on the blog here in case you're interested and haven't already seen it: pickuplimes.com/recipe/vanill… 🍰

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I baked this cake today and it turned so tasty and rich. Thank you for sharing!

PUL Team - March 19, 2022, 8:02 p.m.

We're so happy to hear, Manu, thank you!

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Made this cake today and perfect with ☕️

Thanks for the recipe

PUL Team - March 17, 2022, 11:59 p.m.

So glad it was enjoyed, Naga, thanks :D

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Hi very excited to make this it looks amazing!! I was wondering if almond milk or oat milk could be used instead of soy? I have never found pea milk so I don't think that an option for me here.

PUL Team - March 17, 2022, 5:32 p.m.

Hey Jaz! We recommend using either soy or pea milk for the cake as the high protein content of these kinds of milk is what allows it to curdle to create vegan buttermilk. We can't guarantee oat or almond milk will be successful as these are lower in protein. We hope this helps for now, and you enjoy the cake if you're able to give it a try 😊

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This cake looks delicious so I´m planning to make it for my best friend´s birthday, but I only have one cake tin in the right size. Would it work to bake one huge cake and cut in in half for the frosting later? Or is it too much batter for one tin and baking one after another would be better?

PUL Team - March 15, 2022, 6:29 p.m.

Hey Svenja! So sweet of you to make a cake for your friend's birthday. Either could work, although if your other cake tin is on the larger side, then baking in the 8-inch round pan twice may be desirable. For example, a 9 by 13-inch pan is over double the size of two round 8-inch pans, so a slightly small tin would work nicer for a thicker cake.

If you opt to use one larger pan, the temperature in the oven can remain the same and you can cut it in half after it's cooled for the double layer. Otherwise, a single layer is also just fine. To be sure the cake is done, always check using the "toothpick" method. If you insert a toothpick in the centre of the cake, if it comes out clean, it's ready. We hope this helps for now 😊

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This cake is very good but the icing is the BEST chocolate icing I’ve ever had!

PUL Team - March 15, 2022, 6:02 p.m.

Woohoo! So happy to hear, Lesa 🍰

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This cake is the best! My MIL has severe allergies and we have been on the hunt for the perfect cake for her- she loved it!

We made it gluten free by using 1 for 1 flour!

Thank you!!

PUL Team - March 14, 2022, 10:29 p.m.

Hey Divya! We're so thrilled the cake was enjoyed, and thanks for the insight 😃

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Hello Amazing Team

Thanks for this recipe. I made it this cake. It was okay. For the baking soda it is reading as 8g for 1.5 tsp but 7g for 2 tsp. Is that correct in your recipe? I only wish it was softer. The taste is good. Thank you.

PUL Team - March 14, 2022, 2:24 a.m.

Hi there, Yoshinee, thanks for the question. Baking soda and baking powder weigh slightly different from one another which is why the gram amounts differ. Baking soda is a bit more dense, and so that's why you see it weigh more. We weighed both ingredients in our studio to confirm 😊 As for the cake not being soft, it is indeed a cake that's more moist and fudge, rather than fluffy and airy. With that said, it should still be "soft". Would you kindly share if the listed ingredients and portions were used or if you modified anything? Also, did you use the gram measurements, or the cup/tbsp measurements? This cake is one of our favourites so we'd love to get to the bottom of it if possible and ensure you're happy with the results if you ever try it again! 🤓

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Who thought of the idea to enable a way to check off ingredients and steps in the recipe? It's brilliant! And so satisfying. Also, have you tested this recipe using a gluten free flour or any other flour alternatives?

PUL Team - March 12, 2022, 7:23 p.m.

Aw thank you, Mariam, it means so much that the website features are helpful! We haven't had a chance to test it out ourselves, but we've heard several positive reviews using Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour or a homemade mix of gluten-free flours. A mix of gluten-free flours usually works better than using just one gluten-free flour on its own. Do let us know how it goes if you're able to try the cake ☺️

Mariam - March 13, 2022, 2:18 a.m.

You're most welcome! And thank you for the useful suggestion on using a mix gluten free flours. :)

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I cannot describe how delicious this cake is! Thank you for sharing such amazing recipes with us! Lots of love from Germany xx

PUL Team - March 10, 2022, 7:57 a.m.

Thank you, Carlotta, it means so much! Hugs to Germany 🤗

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Tested for a birthday and it was a 10 ! Easy to bake, easy to eat ^^

PUL Team - March 7, 2022, 5:43 a.m.

Woohoo! So honoured it was part of the celebration, Lorraine ☺️

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I was excited to see this video just before my kids’ birthdays! It was a huge hit among my non-vegan extended family, and the tips were so helpful. I feel like I improve my cooking skills every time I try one of your recipes. They never disappoint! 👏

PUL Team - March 7, 2022, 5:08 a.m.

Awe we're so happy to hear, Mandi, thank you! Happiest of birthdays to your little ones as well 🥳

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Hi! I watched the youtube video today and inmediately wanted to try the recipe! Just one question. We don't consume coffee, so is there a substitution for it? Or can I simply skip it?

PUL Team - March 5, 2022, 4:21 p.m.

Hey Mariela 😃 The coffee serves to enhance the taste of the chocolate. You can substitute it for water or plant-milk if desired. The cake may be a tad less chocolatey but it should still be delicious!

Mariela - March 5, 2022, 4:43 p.m.

Thanks!

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Is it possible to switch to gluten free flour for this recipe. By the way I love all your vegan recipes. My son has multiple food allergies and these have helped me be more creative in the kitchen. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

PUL Team - March 5, 2022, 4:13 p.m.

Hi Rubeena! Awe thank you for the kind words 🙂 We haven't had a chance to test it out ourselves so we can't say with absolute certainty, but we've heard positive reviews using Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour. A mix of gluten-free flours usually works better than using just one gluten-free flour on its own. Do let us know if you're able to experiment with it!

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The Frosting is sooooo good! I made the cake for a birthday party and everybody loved it. 😊

PUL Team - March 5, 2022, 4:11 p.m.

We're so honoured it was part of the celebration, Sara, thank you!

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I am an avid baker (and chocolate lover) and this cake is by far the best chocolate cake recipe I've made! It reminds me of some of the cake I used to have at fancy restaurants before my dairy allergy. I made this for a family birthday and I have been told never to make another kind of cake but this one! Even my husband who is not usually a huge fan of chocolate absolutely loved it. Thank you for this recipe!! It's everything I've ever wanted in a cake recipe. <3

PUL Team - March 4, 2022, 5:19 a.m.

How kind of you to make it for your friend's birthday, Kyra! We're beyond honoured to hear the glowing review 🥰

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I have quite a few vegan cake recipes that I'm quite happy with, as I've been vegan for a long time. So I was a bit skeptical that such small details would make a big difference, as I've made decent vegan cakes with any type of oil or any type of plant milk. But I was really blown away by how well this cake turned out, I think it was the best chocolate cake myself or any of my non-vegan friends had ever tased. Big thank you for the recipe and the video and the explanation of why each ingredient is important.

PUL Team - March 2, 2022, 11:09 p.m.

Such a big compliment, Grace, we're so happy the cake was enjoyed! Thank you 😊

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I made this cake for myself as a birthday cake on Sunday. I've been trying your recipes for some time now, but this was my first foray into vegan baking. I had heard so many horror stories, but hey, its my birthday and its a chocolate cake, what could go wrong? Apparently nothing! This is a wonderful recipe to follow and understand. I watched the video too and love that you explain why its better to use pea or soy milk than other plant milks for the 'buttermilk'. It helps understanding baking and how things work together so much better than simply adding an ingredient - thank you for that and I hope you continue to add little nuggets of knowledge like this for us :)
Back to the cake! It came out far better than any other cake I have made in the past and on my goodness it tasted so good!! There were a lot of healthier ingredients in there than an average cake, so I didn't feel too guilty going back for a second slice.
I love your channel and your website (I actually found you on YT when searching for how to cut and layer my own hair would you believe ;) ), thank you so much for making cooking a joy again for me and thank you for being such an effortlessly beautiful soul :)
Happy 5th to PUL and looking forward to many more! Cheers :)

PUL Team - March 2, 2022, 5:21 p.m.

Oh dearest Caitlyn, a sincere thank YOU for the very kind words and support! We're so honoured the cake was part of your special day, and grateful to have you in the PUL community. Wishing you a very happy birthday from the PUL team 🥳

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This cake is truly amazing. I made it with Bob's red mill one on one gluten free flour. Everyone in my family loved it. I recommend this to everyone. Thank you for creating this recipe.

PUL Team - March 2, 2022, 6:46 a.m.

So glad the cake was enjoyed, Inder, and thanks a bunch for the insight 🤩

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This cake was so rich and decadent! Dark chocolate is my favorite chocolate. My notoriously hard-to-please 5-year old-niece said the cake AND the frosting were "SO YUMMY!" As much as I wanted to eat the whole thing myself, I had to share it with the neighbors. It was so much! I don't think I'd change anything.

PUL Team - March 1, 2022, 5:34 a.m.

Woop woop! So kind of you to share it as well, Jason 🤗

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This cake is the BEST cake I have every made - thank you so much for that! I want to make it for way more people now, so I am contemplating using 10-inch cake pans instead of 8. Do you think I can just raise the amounts a bit, and keep the same oven temperature & time (with regular checking)?

PUL Team - Feb. 28, 2022, 8:33 p.m.

Hey Nellie, what a big compliment! We'd recommend using the scaling feature to increase the recipe servings so the ingredients are proportionally increased. You can do so by clicking the "+" button beside the number 12 under the serving heading. The cake may need a tad longer to bake in a larger pan, although keeping an eye on it is a lovely idea 😊

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I was hoping this would be epic, and it didn't disappoint! I've tried so many vegan chocolate cake recipes and this is by far the best and now the only one I will bake. Its moist, but not heavy, chocolatey, rich and above all... blooming delicious. A lot of my vegan friends were won over and I have 2 requests to make this for birthdays next month. So easy to make, quick as well. Wish I could post a pic to show my baking efforts. Thank you for posting this and for ALL the recipes you kindly give us. I've always been a keen cook and baker but PUL has opened up my options so much more and helped me continue my love of vegan food. Thank you 🥰

PUL Team - Feb. 28, 2022, 7:41 p.m.

Oh, Poppy, thank YOU for the glowing review and support! It means so much. Happy early birthday to your friends as well 🥳

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Love this cake! Next time I will try to add some fruit inside or an orange marmalade maybe!
In any case, the best vegan cake I'll tried so far!

PUL Team - Feb. 28, 2022, 7:34 p.m.

Ooo interesting idea, Guendalina, do let us know if you experiment with it!

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Hi Sadi and Team, I'm very happy that you shared this wonderful recipe, I've been looking for a chocolate cake recipe for a long time that meets all the requirements and that is different from the ones that commonly appear, thank you for sharing with us.

I'm testing the recipe today and in Brazil we don't find applesauce easily, however, I decided to make my own applesauce using two large apples and two glasses of water, letting it boil on the fire for approximately 20 minutes.

The cake is turning out amazing, I will share it with the whole family tomorrow.

Thank you again, and thank you especially for being an example of dedication and care for the ingredients, we vegans need people like you, who inspire us to keep going.

♥♥♥♥

PUL Team - Feb. 26, 2022, 9:27 p.m.

Hi Vanessa! Homemade applesauce sounds delicious. We haven't tested it out, but mashed bananas may be an alternative to experiment with if that's more accessible. Thank you for the kind words and we hope your family loves the cake 😃

Tess - March 9, 2022, 1:48 a.m.

I'm thinking of using mashed bananas too! Would it just be a 1:1 substitute for the applesauce? Also, will it make the cake taste like banana?

PUL Team - March 9, 2022, 2 a.m.

Hey Tess, yes it’s likely a 1:1 substitute although we haven’t tested it out. It may add a slight banana taste especially if the bananas are more on the ripe side. It probably would work better to use a touch less banana with a little water added so the consistency is comparable to applesauce. Do let us know how it goes if you experiment with it 😊

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Hi Sadie,

Love the recipe! Can we make this cake the night before and put it in the fridge to assemble the next morning? I just want to make sure it doesn’t fry out. Or if I end up making it entirely the day of, would you recommend placing it in the fridge until serving at night?

PUL Team - Feb. 26, 2022, 9:04 p.m.

Hey Mona, both options would work. The cake can definitely be made a day in advance and placed the fridge, ideally covered (placing a large bowl over top of it should do the trick). It doesn't dry out in that time. We'd recommend taking it out of the fridge about 1 - 2 hours before serving so it warms up slightly.

If you wanted to make parts in advance, what works best is to already mix the dry ingredients in a bowl, and cover until ready to use. The wet ingredients should be mixed together and then mixed in only at the moment you're ready to bake it. The frosting can definitely also be made in advance. We hope you enjoy it if you're able to give it a try! 😊

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Delicious cake!! I didn't have much time, so I had to bake the whole amount in one 20cm form, but the cake still turned out great, I just had to bake it for longer and keep checking it ❤️ then I just cut it in two afterwards 😊

PUL Team - Feb. 26, 2022, 7:48 p.m.

Mmm so happy to hear, Kate, thank you!

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I pre-baked your cake this weekend, I just changed the sugar and flour proportions
We had my daughter's friends for dinner, 4 omnivores and one vegetarian.
They were delighted!
I hope you like it if I post it on my site

PUL Team - Feb. 25, 2022, 1:48 a.m.

Woop woop, so glad it was enjoyed, Maria! Feel free to share the recipe as well. We do kindly request that credit is shared to indicate the recipe is from Pick Up Limes with a link that directs the viewer to the recipe on our blog should they wish to learn more 🥰

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My family (7 & 5 yr olds, husband and helpers) watched this video on YouTube like 20 times? And they made this cake for my birthday today. It tastes as good as it looks! The cake is yummy enough on its own, almost as rich as brownies. But of course, the frosting brings it to a whole new level.

p/s: the explanation on choices of ingredients is really helpful.

PUL Team - Feb. 25, 2022, 1:43 a.m.

Awe how nice of them to make the cake for you, Liz, we're so happy it was enjoyed! Wishing you a happy birthday as well ❣️

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This is the best chocolate cake ever! I followed this recipe to a T and it came out absolutely perfect. My non-vegan friends loved it too and did not believe it could be totally plant-based. Thank you for this awesome recipe <3

PUL Team - Feb. 24, 2022, 9:53 p.m.

Woohoo! We're beyond happy to hear the cake was enjoyed, Jenny, thank you 😊

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Absolutely the best cake I've ever made! I really appreciated the scientific explanations behind why certain ingredients work. I am admittedly a terrible baker because I never follow recipes and wing it a lot, but I followed this one closely and it came out amazing. Non-vegan family approved as well. I will for sure be making it again and trying out different toppings and flavorings, like orange and mint. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!

PUL Team - Feb. 23, 2022, 7:37 a.m.

We're beyond happy to hear, Violet, thank you! Do let us know if you find any good toppings :D

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