Servings
Font
Back
4.9 from 36 votes

Vegan Chocolate Layer Cake with Hibiscus Frosting

Balanced, flavorful, and enjoyable—this recipe has it all.

Prep Time
35 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Cooling and Assembly
50 mins
Total Time
1 hr 50 mins
Servings: 16
Calories: 332 kcal
Course: Dessert , Baked Goods

Ingredients

VEGAN CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE
  • 1 1/2 cups (~ 375 mL) unsweetened plant-based milk, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 3/4 cups (~ 330g) all-purpose flour or cake flour (see notes above)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup (~ 125g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup (~ 112g) vegan butter, softened at room temperature (I used Country Crock Plant Butter)
  • 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (~ 168g) organic cane sugar
  • 1/2 cup loosely packed (~ 96g) organic brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder (or instant coffee powder)
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) boiling water
  • 6 ounces (~ 170g) 65-80% dark chocolate chunks or vegan chocolate chips
HIBISCUS BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
  • 1/2 cup (~ 112g) vegan butter, softened at room temperature (I used Country Crock Plant Butter)
  • 2 cups (~ 240g) organic powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons hibiscus powder (more to taste or for color)
  • 1-2 tablespoons unsweetened plant-based milk

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C. Make three parchment paper rounds for three 6-inch round cake pans and line each pan and lightly grease the sides to prevent sticking). Alternatively, you can use two 8-inch round pans.
  2. Combine the plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar, stir, and set aside to curdle.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. I like to sift the mixture together so it’s extra fine and there are no clumps).
  4. In a large bowl, add the softened vegan butter, cane sugar, and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add in the vanilla extract and espresso powder and beat to combine.
  5. Switch the mixer to low speed and add in the milk-vinegar mixture until combined. Gradually add half of the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until well combined, about 1 minute, scraping the sides as needed with a spatula. Switch to a wooden spoon and stir in the remaining dry ingredients. The batter will be very thick at this point.
  6. Carefully pour in the boiling water, continuing to mix with a wooden spoon until well combined. Fold in the dark chocolate chunks or chips with a silicone spatula.
  7. Divide the batter equally in the prepared pans, using a scale to measure each pan so each cake is equal in size.
  8. Bake the cakes for 25 minutes until the center is set and the cake has puffed up a bit and just started to pull away from the pan, and a toothpick inserted comes out with only a few moist crumbs. If you are using two 8-inch pans, you’ll want to bake them a bit longer, 30-35 minutes.
  9. Allow the cakes to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before inverting.
  10. While the cakes are cooling, make the Hibiscus Frosting. With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the softened vegan butter until fluffy, about 1 minute. Slowly add the powdered sugar in 1/2 cup increments, mixing on low speed until well combined and fluffy, scraping down the sides as needed. Add the vanilla, salt, and hibiscus powder, and beat until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add the plant-based milk, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  11. To assemble the cake, place one layer cake on a cake platter or plate. Add 1/4 of the frosting and smooth out with an offset spatula. Top with the next layer cake and repeat the process. Using the offset spatula, apply the remaining buttercream to the sides of each cake layer, starting at the bottom.

Nutrition Information

Calories 332kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 48g (16%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 1mg (0%) Sodium 380mg (16%) Potassium 258mg (7%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 23g (46%) Vitamin A 544IU (11%) Calcium 58mg (6%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 332

% Daily Value*

Calories 332kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 48g 16%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Sodium 380mg 16%
Potassium 258mg 5%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 23g 46%
Vitamin A 544IU 11%
Calcium 58mg 6%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.