speedvegan

Geoffrey’s Birthday Cake, originally uploaded by speedvegan.

To celebrate Geoffrey’s birthday, I made an Oreo Crunch Cake. It was great, except for the “secret ingredient.” After the cakes were in the oven, I started to clean up. That is when I noticed my wooden spoon was missing a piece. I frantically looked in every bowl but found nothing. Geoff’s birthday celebration turned into a scavenger hunt. Fortunately, my mind was put at ease the next morning when my boss bit into the mystery item. Never a dull moment in my life !

1 3/4 cups all purpose unbleached flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup plain ricemilk
3/4 cup cocoa powder (good quality)
1/2 cup non-hydrogenated margarine
1 1/2 cups maple syrup
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp vanilla extract

Ganache:
3/4 cup soy creamer
1/4 cup non-hydrogenated margarine
12 oz vegan chocolate chips

about 15 cream filled chocolate cookies (like Oreos)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Spray two 8 inch springform pans with non stick cooking spray.

3. In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

4. Heat the ricemilk in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, lower heat and add the cocoa powder. Whisk until well combined. Remove from heat.

5. Place the remaining wet ingredients in a bowl and whisk well. Add the cocoa mixture and combine. Finally, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients one or two cups at a time. Mix with a wooden spoon until smooth.

6. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans and bake for 18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

7. Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.

8. In the meantime, make the ganache. Place soy creamer and margarine in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chocolate chips when all the margarine has melted. Remove from heat and stir until the mixture is smooth. Set aside.

9. Place cookies in a food processor and grind into crumbs.

10. To assemble cake, place one of the cakes on a platter. Pour about 3/4 cup of the ganache on top. Add a layer of cookie crumbs (a couple handfuls). Cover with remaining cake. Pour the remaining ganache over the cake. Using the palm of your hand, press the remaining cookie crumbs into the side of the cake. Decorate as you wish.