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 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!
Pro Tips
- 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 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 Organic 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 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Made it? Leave a comment below!
The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications or helping other commentors.
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’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.