For all your celebrations, this rich, fudgy, Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Whipped Ganache cake will even have omnivores begging for more. This vegan chocolate cake is perfect for dark chocolate lovers. This cake is vegan. | Thanks to Rodelle Kitchen for gifting Vanilla And Bean a bottle of their Vanilla Extract.
About this Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
The Vegan Chocolate Cake bakes up beautifully with a tender, fudgy crumb. The icing, a whipped ganache, comes together quickly with a rest in the fridge while the cake is baking. Made with full-fat coconut milk, I promise, for coconut haters, they’ll never know. A double batch may be in order. It’s almost like a mousse. You’re not going to believe it!
Brush each layer with a boozy Frangelico simple syrup, then ice the cake to your heart’s content. Make it a two-or-four layer, whatever you have time for. Finish with toasted hazelnuts to add a bit of texture to this rich vegan chocolate cake.
A Little Reflection
It’s been two years, y’all. Two years since I started this little blogging journey. I’d just left my career of nine years. The change had been a long time coming, but it took me several years to finally garner the courage.
I finally realized, through much reflection and work, there was nothing I could do except walk away from a career at one time I saw myself doing for the rest of my life. The overwhelm and stress was too much.
I took the leap and a much-needed respite. After much learning, commuting, hard work and applying new skills, Vanilla And Bean was born.
That was two years ago.
Your Support Means so Much
The time has whisked by and I couldn’t be more grateful for this new journey. One that has presented challenges, tremendous learning curves, and hard decisions. But it’s also given me so much more freedom than I ever thought possible. The freedom to create, make and carve a path of my own. I feel like I’m opening a gift each and every day.
Some of you have been with Vanilla And Bean since its infancy. Even Vanilla And Bean’s newest readers have jumped in with both feet as if you’ve been here all along. Thank you for your support, trusting, encouragement, and sincerity.
I never knew this blog and my favorite social media, Instagram, would connect me with people just down the road and across the ocean. A few, I’ve met. Others, I can hardly wait.
So this cake is for y’all. For each and every one of you. For your comments, emails, likes, follows and sharing. Thank you for your time, enthusiasm for good food, love, and support. Getting to know y’all has been the most fun, even those of you who enjoy with silent support. I’m looking at you too, with a full heart.
Vegan Chocolate Cake with Whipped Ganache is as rich and chocolatey as you can imagine with a hint of booze for good measure. It makes a fabulous vegan birthday cake, or for any celebration, really!
How to Make Vegan Chocolate Cake
- First, for the ganache: gently heat the coconut milk, salt, and hazelnut liquor and pour over chocolate. Then pour the heated milk over top. Allow to set for one minute, then gently stir to incorporate Pop in the fridge while you prepare the cake.
- Second, while the oven is preheating, prepare the pans and toast the hazelnuts.
- Third, using two separate bowls prepare the wet and dry ingredients then whisk the ingredients together. Divide batter into pans and bake.
- Next, make the simple syrup while the cakes bake.
- Last, assemble the cake in four layers, brushing each layer with simple then slathering on the ganache.
Top the cake with toasted hazelnuts and enjoy!
A Few Recipe Notes
- The *taste* of coconut oil or milk is not detectable. If it were, this would be a coconut chocolate cake and I would have had to name it so. The chocolate masks its flavor. All the reason to call this a chocolate cake!
- Veg News lists many vegan chocolate brands. Find what’s at your market and use it! Green & Black’s, Theo, Endangered Species, are excellent.
- Hazelnut flour can be purchased. However, to DIY, toast the hazelnuts first at 325F for about 8-10 minutes, then process them in a food processor until a fine meal is formed. Use them as written in the recipe.
- If chocolate extract is unavailable, vanilla extract can be used.
More Chocolatey Rich Desserts to Love
- Vegan Dark Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
- Homemade Chocolate Espresso Brownies – gluten free + vegan
- Chocolate Pots de Creme
- Cheat’s Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse – by Kitchen Confidant
- Spiked Orange Hot Chocolate
- Chocolate Pudding – by The Bojon Gourmet
Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Whipped Ganache Recipe
Ingredients
For the Ganache:
- 1 3/4 C High Quality Vegan Dark Chocolate 72% or 74%, rough chopped into 1/2" pieces or smaller (the smaller the better - see note on vegan chocolate).*, 240g
- 1 1/3 C Full Fat Coconut Milk whisked to incorporate the fat and liquid, 307g, the canned variety
- 1/8 tsp Sea Salt
- 2 tsp Hazelnut Liquor I use Frangelico
For the Cake:
- 3/4 C Raw Hazelnuts for decorating, 105g
- 1 2/3 C Nut Milk 380g, I use homemade cashew
- 1 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 1/2 C + 1 Tbs All Purpose Flour 225g
- 1/2 C + 2 Tbs Hazelnut Flour ** 72g, see note
- 2/3 C Organic Cane Sugar 145g
- 1/2 C Dutch Process Cocoa unsweetened (I use Rodelle), 50g
- 1 1/2 Tbs Organic Cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/3 C + 2 Tbs Coconut Oil virgin, unrefined, melted and at room temp., 80g
- 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/4 tsp Chocolate Extract *** see note
For the Simple Syrup:
- 3 Tbs Evaporated Cane Sugar
- 3 Tbs Water
- 2 Tbs Hazelnut Liqueur
Instructions
For the Ganache (yields about 2 C or 500g):
- Place the chocolate in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside. In a small saucepan add the coconut milk, salt, and hazelnut liquor. Whisk to break up any clumps of fat. Heat the milk mixture on medium-high heat until it scalds (tip: watch for bubbles to form around the outer edge of milk, this is 180F or 82C). Watch the milk closely as you don't want it to boil over. This can happen quick!
- Pour the milk over the chocolate. Give the bowl a shake to make sure the chocolate is covered. Let sit for 2 minutes - this is required (set a timer). Stir gently to incorporate the milk and chocolate. Be patient here. This could take a few minutes. Once all the chocolate is melted and the ganache is smooth, place a piece of plastic wrap directly over the top of the ganache. This will eliminate a skin forming over the top. Pop in the fridge for one hour while you prepare and bake the cake.
For the Cake:
- Spray 2, 6" (15cm) cake pans with pan spray. Line each with a round of parchment, then spray again, this time making sure the sides are sprayed too. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
- While the oven is preheating, toast the hazelnuts. These will be used to decorate the cake. Check hazelnuts at 8 minutes, then again at 10. They can go from toasty to burned fast, so keep an eye on them. Set aside to cool, then rough chop.
- In a medium spouted mixing bowl, whisk the nut milk and apple cider vinegar. Set aside while you mix the dry ingredients.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift the all-purpose and hazelnut flour, sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. You'll have some chunky bits of hazelnuts left in the sifter, so toss those in with the batter. If there are any large chunks, do not incorporate those into the cake. Whisk thoroughly. Set aside.
- To the milk mixture, add the coconut oil, and extracts. Whisk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently stir until there are no more dry bits showing. The mixture will be thick.
- Divide equally into the prepared baking pans. Use an offset spatula to smooth the batter.
- Bake for 38-40 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean, with only a few bits of dry batter attached when done. Cool in pans for 20 minutes. Turn out on to a cooling rack to cool completely before icing or storing. Keep the parchment on the bottoms of the cake on. If holding overnight or freezing, wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Double wrap if freezing (freeze up to two weeks).
For the Simple Syrup:
- In a small saucepan add the sugar and water. Bring to a boil and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Pour into a lidded container and stir in the hazelnut liqueur. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Finish the Ganache:
- While the cake is cooling, remove the ganache from the refrigerator. With a whisk attachment on a stand mixer, whip ganache on medium-high speed for 3 - 4 minutes or until light and airy. You'll want to make sure it's not runny, but not so thick it's difficult to spread. Somewhere in-between. It will thicken quickly so keep an eye on it. At this point, depending on the temperature of your kitchen, you can leave the ganache on the counter until ready to use or pop it in the fridge. It needs to stay soft enough to spread, but you don't want it to start melting. Be patient here. Ganache can be fussy with regards to temperature, but it's worth the effort. If at anytime the ganache starts to get too warm and begins to get too soft to work with, pop it back in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, (this includes the entire cake if needed) then carry on.
To Assemble:
- Find a piece of cardboard and cut it to 6" (15cm) round. This will help support the cake while putting it together. Have some parchment ready to set the sliced layers on. Be sure to handle the cake gently, supporting it with a spatula as you move it around. For a two or four layer cake, gently slice off the dome of each layer using a serrated knife. A cake stand is helpful here, turning as you let the knife do the work. Cutting off the tops yields a flat top cake. Snack on the cutoffs or freeze them to make bon bons or cake pops later.
- Slice each half of cake into two equal rounds using a serrated knife. Set aside on parchment paper. Save one of the parchment-lined pieces for the top layer, bottom up. Carefully, take the bottom of one of the rounds and place it upside down on the cardboard support. Remove the parchment. Brush the top with the simple syrup, covering the entire top. I do this twice for each layer. Smooth about 4 Tbs of ganache over the layer. Don't use more else there may not be enough icing to finish the cake. Repeat with each layer until the top layer is placed on.
- After placing the top layer of cake, put your hand, flat, on the top of the cake. Press gently, yet firmly, down making sure the cake is symmetrical and the layers are aligned. Make adjustments now if needed. At this point, the ganache is probably warming up and your layers may seem to be sliding. Pop the entire cake in the fridge for about 15 minutes so the ganache can firm up again.
- Brush two coats of simple syrup over the top layer. You are now ready for the crumb coat which is a thin base layer of ganache that is the foundation of the final coat of ganache. Place about 1/2 C ganache on top on the cake. Begin working the ganache using an offset spatula to smooth and move the ganache over the sides of the cake. The crumb coat should be thin enough to see the cake layers on sides and top. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- For the final coat, add a heaping scoop of ganache on top of the cake. Start smoothing out the top of the cake first then moving to the sides. Use a pallet knife to smooth the ganache around all sides of the cake, stopping to patch areas that need more.
- Finish the cake by sprinkling the rough chopped toasted hazelnuts over the top and on the sides.
- Transfer the cake to a cake stand by sliding a large offset spatula under the cake. Very gently, lift the cake and place it on a cake stand. Gently slide the offset spatula out from under the cake. To cut the cake, dip a large knife into very hot water. Wipe it dry then cut the cake. Do this for each cut you make for flawless cuts. Serve immediately.
- To store the cake, place plastic wrap directly on the exposed cake, then cover the top and other sides with a cake cover or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator if warm in the kitchen, or on the counter if the kitchen is cooler. But always serve at room temperature for a more pleasant mouthfeel. Store for up to three days.
Such a good recipe. I made it with coconut sugar instead of cane sugar and whole wheat pastry flour instead of all-purpose, and it was really good, perhaps in need of a tiny bit more sweetness. The ganache definitely requires a stand mixer–I tried a hand mixer at first, and it appeared it never was going to get the ganache to thicken, but then a stand mixer worked just as described. If I make it again, I think I want to add a bit of coffee to the cake mixture to deepen the chocolate flavor!
Hi John! Thank you for your note and sharing your tips. So happy to hear you enjoyed the cake! I love the idea of adding coffee :D
Best cake EVER! I have made it several times now over the years since finding this recipe and truly it is great. I’ve used different nuts but hubby always comes back to the hazelnuts. Thank you for working it all out, the ideas just add to the repertoire that I can offer.
Hooray! Thank you for coming back and leaving a note. This is such a GOOD cake! So happy to hear you’re enjoying it and sharing your gifts. :D
Hi Traci,
I have made and LOVE this cake. Can I use it to make cupcakes? Thank You!
Hi Debbie! Thank you for your note and rating the recipe! So happy to hear you love it too. I’ve not made cupcakes with this recipe, but it can work. Here’s what I’d do…. use cupcake cups to line a standard muffin pan and fill them 2/3 full each. Bake at 375F (the higher temperature creates a nice cupcake dome) for about 15-20 minutes, but maybe longer adding and checking one minute at a time. They’re done when they spring back under gentle pressure and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. I’m not sure exactly how many cupcakes this recipe will yield, but after doing a little digging, my estimate is between 12-18 cupcakes. If you don’t have two muffin pans, you can let the remaining batter rest on the counter while the other bakes. After the cupcakes come out of the oven, transfer them out of the pan to a cooling rack and either let the pan cool or rinse it under cold water (dry it off), then bake the remaining cupcakes. I hope this helps. Please let me know how they turn out – and leave us your tips if you give it a go!
Thank you so much for your detailed and quick response! I am trying it out tomorrow and will most certainly report back!
Fantastic cake! The icing is the best vegan one I’ve come across. I made the cake for non vegans and several were shocked by how good it was, so I’m thrilled with it. I’m planning to make the cake with a coffee hazelnut spread for my boyfriend’s birthday. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
I substituted coconut sugar for the cane sugar with no problems and used coffee in the syrup for a more mocha taste.
Hi Sarah! Thank you for coming back and leaving a note, and your kind words. I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the cake! That icing? Just give me a spoon, right? Love your tips on subs. The coffee hazelnut spread sounds divine! Thank you for sharing!
I have 11 coming for dinner and decided to go ahead and make this cake using gluten free flour. Since it is 6″ round doesn’t look like it would feed 11. How do you think it would be if I doubled the recipe and used 7″ or 9″ cake pans?
Hi Nancy! You’re right… you’ll need more cake. I’ve not doubled this recipe, but if you do, use a scale for precise measurement. Note that, GF flour will not be the same weight as AP flour. I found a pan conversion chart on Food52 that may help. It looks like when doubling a recipe from a 6″ cake pan, you’ll need to use a 9″ cake pan and do not fill the pan over 2/3 full. Also, the bake time will be longer. By how much, I just don’t know. I hope this helps, Nancy! Please keep up posted on how you do! I hope you enjoy the recipe and have a fabulous holiday!
I am happy to report that I made my gluten-free version of this cake and it turned out beautifully. I used Namaste Gluten-free flour (can get at Costco or local large grocery stores) where I replaced the flour 1-1. I double the recipe and used two 9″ cake pans. I cooked the cake only about 5 min more. I made 1 plus 1/2 of the ganache recipe. It was enough for all the layers and the outside area.
I was glad I made the cake the day before Christmas and finished it with the ganache on Christmas (yesterday). I was able to slice the 2 layers very easily to make the four layers since the cake is so dense.
It’s a very rich cake so we had a little over 1/4 of the cake left after serving 11. It was a big hit. Thank you, Traci, for sharing this recipe with us!
I took photos. The end result of putting the cake together wasn’t quite as professional looking but I think I did a really nice job of the presentation.
Happy New Year! Nancy
Thank you so much for coming back and leaving a note with all your tips and detailed notes for a GF cake, Nancy! So happy to read it came out delicious and that it was a hit! Happy New Year to you too. :D
I would LOVE to make this cake for Christmas. It looks wonderful! My friends need gluten free AND dairy free. Can I substitute Namaste Perfect Flour blend (a gluten-free flour that is supposed to work in place of flour)? I am cooking for 11 and only 2 are gluten-free, but they are the hosts and I’d hate to leave them out. Please advise. Thank you so much. Happy Holidays
Hi Nancy… oooh I wish I could help here and say it will work, but to be honest, gluten free vegan baking can be tricky. I’ve not made this with gf flour so I just don’t know if it would work. If you give it a go, please let us know how you do! Happy holidays, Nancy!
I’ll ask my friend who bakes gluten-free all the time. OR make a second dessert just for them. I just have to try this recipe!
Thank you so very much for your speedy answer. I am putting together my shopping list now. I am excited to have found your site. I see many great recipes I’d love to try!
Hi Traci, such a lovely recipe. Will be making this recipe for my Friend on her 15 wedding anniversary.
Jus wanted to know ,can I substitute hazelnut flour to ground almonds.
Hello Sindhu! Subbing almond flour for hazelnut should be fine. I hope this helps and that you and your friend enjoy this cake!
Could you use all AP flour instead of the 1/2 C + 2 Tbs Hazelnut Flour as noted in the recipe? Looks good and would like it try it but with that small substitution.
Hello Lad! You can if you want to – please note I’ve not tried it with 100% AP so am unable to say if the results will be the same. That said, I think it will be fine. I hope this helps!
Hi! I just came upon this cake and it looks delicious. I was just wondering if you could substitute the cane sugar for coconut sugar since coconut sugar is all I have in my pantry? Would it come out with a similar consistency?
Thank you, Michelle!
Hi Michelle! I’ve only made this cake with cane sugar so i’m not sure if the texture or result would be similar.
Looks so yummy! I am making this for a birthday and I was wondering if you recommend to make the cake the day of or does it taste any different if made a day in advance? Some cakes taste better when made a day or two ahead of time so I am just wondering what you would suggest for this one… thanks!
Hi Michelle! Making it a day in advance is perfectly fine. Just be sure to store it covered and at room temperature – so long as the kitchen is coolish otherwise the ganache can melt or the layers could slide (we don’t want that!). I hope this helps… and the birthday girl/guy loves it!
Hi Traci,
Thank you so much for your reply! I need your help- the cake was unbelievable and my boyfriend said it was it was one of his favorite cakes of all time (and he’s not vegan!). However, I put the cake in the fridge after assembling and frosting (so it didn’t melt as it is quite warm in my kitchen) and when I took it out to serve it was so dry and dense! Any insight on what might have gone wrong? Even after letting it come to room temp it was still dry and hard to cut through. It was so amazing prior to the fridge so I’m wondering what I did wrong and how I should alter it for next time.
Thank you!
Michelle
Hello Michelle… So happy to hear your boyfriend loved the cake! But I’m so sorry to read about refrigeration as I’ve not had any feedback regarding issues with refrigeration (and I’ve stored this cake in the fridge myself). The only things I can think of… 1. did you store the cake with plastic wrap directly on the exposed cut area? 2. Bringing the cake to room temperature takes many hours. If still cold in the center, it will have the mouthfeel of a dense cake. or last, 3. If the cake is over-baked (oven temperature fluctuation can be an issue – was an oven thermometer used?), it may taste fresh after assembled, but the refrigerator may be too much for an over baked cake. I hope this helps, Michelle.
Thank you so much for responding! I’m not quite sure which of those it could have been, but my guess is that I didn’t let it come to room temp long enough. I am going to definitely get an oven thermometer for future cakes though! Thanks again!
My dad is the family baker, making beautiful and delicious cakes for all the family birthdays and holidays, but is not very versed in vegan baking. Although I’ve been vegetarian for over 20 years, it wasn’t until my niece became vegan that dad decided he needed to start adjusting his baking style, I sent him this recipe to try for a family birthday celebration and it was a huge hit! He made his own hazelnut flour. He did have some trouble with getting the frosting to firm up, but I suspect it was the coconut milk brand he used, he added some vegan cream cheese to the frosting and it turned out perfectly! This recipe is definitely a keeper and the best vegan chocolate ganache frosting I’ve had thus far.
Please let me know what brand of coconut milk you use? As I know results can vary from brand to brand.
Hi Jen! Thank you so much for your note. Hooray for a successful cake! Here is the link for the coconut milk Indeed, brand can make a difference. The cream cheese sounds like a delicious addition! Thank you again!
Hi Looks fabulous.I am not familiar with evaporated cane sugar.Could you tell me about it and a substitute I could use?
Hello Christine! Thank you for your note. Cane sugar (aka evaporated cane juice or sugar) is a larger grain, slightly blond in color sugar produced from sugar cane. It is less refined than white sugar and, I think, has a slightly richer flavor. I use it in all my sweets recipes. Additionally there are some refined sugars that use bone char (from animals) to bleach their sugar – a no go in vegan recipes. Because it has a larger grain, subbing refined sugar probably will not produce the same intended result (this was taught to me by the pastry chef I mentored under and reinforced at a bakery I work at). Unfortunately I’m unable to recommend a substitute because I’ve not tested it with any other sugar. I hope this makes sense and helps.
Hi! Great looking recipe! Question: I want to pour a mirror glaze over this cake. Can the cake be frozen with the ganache? Thanks for this recipe!
Hey Carra! Thank you for your note. If you’re going to mirror glaze the cake, I’d simply crumb coat it, then put a very thin layer of ganache on it – like a naked cake, and pop it in the freezer for an hour or so. I’ve never frozen it solid or even for a short period but I wouldn’t hesitate doing this if I were pouring a mirror glaze over it. I hope this helps and you enjoy this scrumptious cake! Would love to see that mirror!
Hello Feirouz! Thank you for your note. Since I’ve only made this cake in 6″ pans, It’s difficult for me to say how it would turn out using two 7.5″ pans. What I recommend is you test the cake in the 7.5″ pans prior to making it for the birthday party so you can make sure it’s suitable for your needs, keeping in mind the following adjustments: you can bake it in the larger pans, but the cake will be thinner. So you’ll need to not bake it fas long ( maybe 25-30 min total? But I’m not certain). Depending on how thin you slice the rounds, you could get four layers, but they will be very thin. A two layer cake would be beautiful. I hope this helps!
Oh my my….this looks amazing. I bet taste must be out of this world too. Pinned it and will trying it too.
But need to clarify a few things.
Can I simply add vanilla essence instead of vanilla extract?
Instead of liqueur, can I use any juice?
Also for the oil, does coconut oil leave any after taste? Can I use canola oil instead?
Appreciate your response.
Thanks.
Hello Pravishtah! Thank you for your note and kind words. I’m not sure what Vanilla Essence is.. is it a paste? If so, it will be fine. For the Frangelico, just leave it out or add more vanilla (extract in this case). I’m not sure I’d add any juice as the consistency/flavor of the ganache may be off. For the simple syrup, you can play with that a bit. Coconut oil doesn’t leave an aftertaste when chocolate is involved. You can try canola oil, although I’ve not used it. I hope this helps and you enjoy the cake!
Hi there,
Thanks for your reply.
Vanilla essence is what you usually get in the supermarket baking section. It comes in liquid or paste form and cheaper than the whole vanilla bean.
The only reason I wanted to add juice was cos I don’t have liqueur at home and cannot rush to buy a bottle for few spoons. So either another alcohol base or juice is what I can use.
I honestly don’t know what vanilla extract is. Unless you mix some vanilla essence in any alcohol base.
Thanks a ton.
Question. Step 5 under” to assemble” says to smooth buttercream on sides. No recipe for buttercream and no mention elsewhere. Did I miss something? Would like to make this for Thanksgiving. It sounds amazing!!
Hi Kathy! Sorry for the confusion. “Buttercream” should read “ganache” just like the rest of the recipe – and you’re right! There’s no buttercream in this recipe. I corrected it. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Thank you. Making it right now. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Sorry to bother you again. In ganache, is it Frangelica or vanilla extract? Ingredients say one directions say the other. Again, sorry, I don’t want to mess it up!
Hey Kathy – I appreciate your notes! Clearly, I need to write recipes when I’m awake! You can use either one, but the method *should read hazelnut liquor.
I want to make this for my brother but he wants a nutella flavored cake. He is not a fan of chocolate. How can I alter this recipe to enhance the hazelnut flavor?
Hey Kayla… I’m sorry I don’t have a recipe to point you to. A great deal of work goes into my recipes to make sure they work. Unfortunately I’m unable to tell you how to modify this one without chocolate and without testing. This would not be a simple modification and it would be a whole new recipe. But, please feel free to modify this recipe to suit your needs! May I ask why you rated this recipe three out of five stars?
I’m sorry, but this cake should have a warning sign ‘SO DELICIOUS YOU’LL WANT TO EAT IT ALL IN ONE GO’. It’s a dangerous cake, and I can’t wait to make it again. Vegan? No one would know. It tastes better than any non-vegan cake I’ve tried in the past, but now that I’m vegan, I’m happy I had the chance to try it. :)
Hi Mary! Thank you so much for giving the cake a go and that you enjoyed it so much! I am totally with you on the “so delicious you’ll want to eat it all in one go” bit! LOL I’m with you on the no one will know part. Did you get a spoon out for that ganache? It’s been too long since I made this.. it’s time! Thank you for your comment. Day made! :D
Hi Traci
Such a beautiful recipe and blog…..as I am a vegetarian and not a vegan yet😬…can I substitute nut milk with cow milk or coconut milk…which will be fine..u tell….and I do not agree much with the coconut oil as I do not like the smell…so can I replace it with sunflower oil?….tks for the gr8 recipe love xoxo😁😀
Hi Neha! Thank you for your note. I’m not vegan either… just eat/make a lot of vegan food. Subbing the milk is fine, but I would use whole milk (or lite coconut milk) in the cake (and only use coconut milk – full fat- for the icing). I don’t see subbing sunflower oil as being an issue, although I’ve not tried it. I hope this helps and you enjoy the recipe!
Hi Traci, excited to bake this cake for my friend’s birthday since she loves dark chocolate and hazelnuts. Can I use butter or vegetable oil? If yes would it also be 80 grams?
Hey Mansi! I’d give vegetable oil a go over butter simply because butter has a water content in it that’s not formulated with this cake (although I don’t know if it would work or not). What a sweet gift to your friend. I hope she loves it! :D
After having made your Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Whipped Ganache, I knew I would love this savory dish, as well! Pure deliciousness, comfort and beauty. I doubled both the fennel and the crumb mixture My husband, who loved it, said it reminded him of stuffing but that just sounded crass to me :) It is much more sophisticated than that! Looking forward to more good eats!
Sorry! My computer pulled a fast one on me and posted my review in the wrong place….Moving it over to Roasted Fennel, Mushroom and White Bean Brown Rice Gratin!
I made this cake for Jesus’ Birthday celebration (Christmas!). We all loved it! I couldn’t find chocolate extract so I used coffee extract instead – since coffee makes chocolate that much better! There was plenty of ganache to frost the four layers, top and sides of the 6″ cake – and that size is sooo much better than a traditional size. I served it with freshly whipped cream. Letting it come to room temperature before eating truly enhances the flavors. Thank you so very much for a wonderful treat!
Hooray! Thank you for sharing Debbie! I love 6″ cakes too.. they’re just enough, unless your making cake for a huge event! I love your addition of coffee extract – what a fabulous idea! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe! :D
Hi! I am looking to make this cake for my sister’s birthday, as she is allergic to the protein in milk and to eggs – so this vegan cake looks AMAZING. Just one quick question, you mention that if chocolate extract is unavailable, just use vanilla. Since the recipe already uses vanilla extract… do you simply add more vanilla (the amount stated for chocolate)?
Thank you very much!!!
Hi Toscana! You bet.. use more vanilla! It will taste fabulous. Happy birthday to your sister… I hope you two enjoy the cake!
I made this cake last weekend and was really happy with the way it turned out. It could have been a bit sweeter for some, but I think that was more attributable to the changes I made to the recipe than to the recipe itself.
I didn’t have 6″ cake pans, so I used my 9″ round pans. I adjusted the baking time down, to account for thinner cakes, but I think i overcooked them by a minute or two, because the simple syrup glaze didn’t really soak in as well as it could have. That would have probably made everything taste sweeter.
The ganache was to die for! I will definitely make this cake again, but I will get the 6″ cake pans or double the cake recipe for a 9″ cake.
I baked this during my family vacation at the beach and it was very yummy! The ganache was SUPER easy to make and was VERY rich. When my non-vegan family asked me what was in the icing, they were surprised that it was as simple as coconut cream and chocolate.
6″ cake pans were difficult to find, so I used 9″, and though I was disappointed I couldn’t make a cute 4 layer cake, it worked perfectly fine and the cake smelled delicious coming out of the oven. I ate cake for breakfast for like 3 days after making this! I had never baked a cake from scratch before, and this was a good one to start on. I prefer almonds to hazelnut, in fact I am quite obsessed with almonds, almond extract, marzipan, basically any almond flavored thing…so I am wondering whether replacing the hazelnut meal with almond meal and likewise the other hazelnut ingredients with their almond counterparts would work? I might try it out on my birthday, complete with a marzipan layer.
Oh! Another thing I love is the idea to drizzle the syrup on the cake. It was super moist as a result.
Thank you for the recipes and your inspirational story! Congratulations on your accomplishments, your story motivates me to do what I love.
Thank you so much Susan! This means so much to me. :D You’ll always feel that tug in your heart to explore things you love. Never stop leaning towards them! :D
I am so so excited for this cake, Traci! First, big congratulations on your successful blog..I have enjoyed following you since the day I first came across your blog <3 Your passion for clean eating and delicious food shows through each and every post.
About this case…wow! I have been looking for a good vegan cake that I can totally get onboard with and make with confidence for those times my vegan cousin visits. I'm always nervous about coconut milk shining through with coconut flavors or cashew-made frostings that don't hold up…but I know that I can trust you and your recipe, so I cannot wait to try this out!! Thank you soo much, deary!!!
This post touched in so many ways than one. First of all, a BIG HUGE CONGRATULATIONS my dear Friend! 2 yrs, wow!!
That is such a fabulous and stunning cake and I adore than it’s got the hazelnut touch in it.
So glad your chose this and the path might be hard at first, but so rewarding. I love the journey, something I chose too and couldn’t be anywhere else.
I’m so very happy and glad to have met you through Instagram, it has been a wonderful time. Cheers to many many more darlin.
Luv you darlin.
xoxo
Thank you, Asha! Hard at first, yes, but the rewards.. I hear you! Ahhh.. Insta. Me too my dear. xo
Thank you for posting this lovely cake recipe. Do you have a suggestion for something other than coconut oil? I love it but no one in my house (5 vegetarians) likes it and in fact they don’t tolerate the smell or taste of coconut well. I would love to make this cake but what other oil would be sufficient for substitution?
Hi Tricia! The coconut in this recipe yields no flavor whatsoever. The chocolate completely masks it. While I’ve not made this cake with any other oil, I feel confident you use just about any mild tasting oil. Perhaps canola (organic).. I wouldn’t use olive. Since the icing is made with coconut milk you may want to sub that too. I’m not sure of another vegan option with this ganache unless you used a very high fat nut milk. For a vegetarian option, you could use heavy cream. I hope this helps!
Awww Traci reading this post warmed my heart! Even though we’ve never met, I can tell you are such a warm and wonderful person by your writing here. I’m so glad that you’ve found a path that fulfills you, and this cake is such a perfect way to celebrate that. Sending all my love <3
Traci, I have just stumbled on your blog recently and enjoy the stories and the blog. This cake looks amazing. What would you suggest to substitute for the hazelnut flour as my son is allergic to nuts.
Hi Sharon! Welcome and thank you for your kind comments! While I’ve not tested this recipe using another flour, whole wheat white or all purpose should be just fine. Skip the Frangelico and just brush simple syrup over the top. Finish the cake with mini chocolate chips, coca nibs, unsweetened coconut.. whatever you like to fancy it up a bit. I hope this helps!
Hello Traci and Sharon,
Although I am new to the vegan lifestyle, may I recommend using either rice or quinoa flour? I’ve only just realized that I can’t have regular flour and I do love my desserts but I substituted rice flour for the ap flour and it came out fantastic.
Don’t know if it this helps but I hope it does.
I used peanut flour instead of hazelnut but kept all the other ingredients. Turned out amazing.
Thank you for your note Mary!
For my wedding we had a chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and fresh strawberries with a Vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream.I need to recreate a veganized version.