Vegan Chocolate Pudding Cake
Inspiration comes from many sources. It could be reading an article, taking a walk, eating vegan comfort food or crossing something off your bucket list like visiting the Grand Canyon. I did a little of each this week. Maybe that’s why I was inspired to make Vegan Chocolate Pudding Cake. Or maybe it just sounded good. It’s hard to say.
What does vegan comfort food and the Grand Canyon have in common?
Do you give up?
They both make me really happy! And I enjoyed them both last week. I went with my hubby this week to visit his parents in Phoenix and while we were there we went to my favorite vegan comfort food restaurant, Green, in Tempe. Chef Damon really knows his stuff so if you’ haven’t been there, you should seriously consider checking it out.
And since Phoenix and Tempe are only a few hours’ drive to the Grand Canyon we decided to go there as well. It was a busy week full of grand experiences.
It was actually kind of chilly (or downright cold) there so we had to pile on the layers…and huddle closely to stay warm. Huddling also looks better in photos too. Besides, I would get cozy with this guy any day of the week!
Julia Cameron describes in her Artist’s Way book series how important it is to refill our creative wells. That it’s easy to give and give until the next thing you know, the well’s run dry. One way of filling up an “empty creative well” is by getting away from the day-to-day grind and taking in the awesomeness of nature…especially when the Grand Canyon is involved. At one point I sat on a well-worn tree stump and listened to the sounds of nature around me. I imagined many people had sat here before me, all of us taking in the view, the smells, the sounds. A source of inspiration indeed.
And what do I do with all that bottled up inspiration? I make a cake. Go figure.
Of course, it’s not just any cake. One could refer to it as the grand canyons of cakes, but you might have to try it first and let me know if that title works.
Vegan Chocolate Pudding Cake
Ingredients
- Pudding
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 cups dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Cake
- 3 cups flour
- ¾ cup cocoa
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup margarine (dairy free), softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 cup soy milk
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup chocolate chips, dairy-free
Directions:
- Pudding: Combine the coconut milk, sugar, and corn starch in a microwave-safe bowl and stir to combine. Microwave for one minute, then remove and stir some more. Repeat this until the mixture thickens. Then add the chocolate chips and stir until they are melted. Add the vanilla and then set aside to cool.
- Cake: Heat your oven to 350F. Spray a 9 X 12 cake pan with vegetable spray.
- In a medium bowl combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.
- In a separate, large bowl combine margarine, oil and sugar. Use a mixer to mix
on medium speed until nice and smooth (about 2 minutes). Add the ground flax seed, vinegar, soy milk, water and vanilla and mix again until well combined.
- Pour the flour into the margarine mixture and mix again until all the ingredients are combined and continue mixing for another minute or so. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 40 – 45 minutes until a dry piece of spaghetti inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. (I’m not a big fan of toothpicks) Once the cake is done, sit it on the counter to cool.
- Use a chopstick or something about that size to poke holes in the cake every 1/2 inch or so evenly across the cake. Don’t worry if you hit the bottom of the pan (as long as you’re not worried about scratching the pan). Pour half of the chocolate pudding sauce over the cake and let it soak in for about 20 minutes or so. Reserve the remaining sauce to pour over the cake immediately before serving.
- Top each slice with a little touch of vegan whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Your guests will be impressed!
Enjoy!
Mr. & Mrs. P
Looks very rich and delicious!!!
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet
INCREDIBLE. Love the cake and the view!! The Grand Canyon is on my bucket list!!
Marly
They don’t call it “grand” for nothing! It is definitely a bucket-list worthy destination!
Nisha
Hi! Came here via Pinterest.
Which Grand Canyon site did you visit? We went to Grand Canyon West since it was closer for us to go and then reach Vegas in time. I have heard Grand Canyon South has the best view.
The chocolate pudding cake I make is completely different. There is a hot water concoction I pour on top of the dry mixture. The hot water then transforms into saucy pudding, and the dry mixture converts into a cake!
Marly
Hi Nisha
We were on South side as well and began at Mather Point and hit various viewing stations along the drive up to the Watchtower. It is an experience of a lifetime! Any way you make it, chocolate cake is the best!
Aggie
This looks so rich and decadent Marly! Love the photos 🙂
Cassie | Bake Your Day
Oh wow, that sight would make me really happy too. I love this, Marly!
Marly
Thanks, Cassie!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen
Nothing beats chocolate cake! The Grand Canyon is so beautiful! I haven’t been there since I was a teenager but you never forget it.
Marly
So true – I know I will never forget that experience. It’s one of those things that you can look at a million pictures, but seeing it in person is just so much more moving!
Anna {Herbivore Triathlete}
I would love to see the Grand Canyon one day. I’ve been to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, which is gorgeous, but I am sure it pales in comparison to the real thing!
This cake looks scrumptious! Chocolate is the bomb.
Marly
They say the inner canyon that lines the Colorado River is bigger than most canyons around the world. That’s pretty amazing to think about it. That said, I would love to go to the Pennsylvania version. OK. It’s gonna have to go on “The List”!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles
I like your form of inspiration! 😉 And I hope I can visit the Grand Canyon some day, too!
Marly
Thanks, Brenda. It’s so good to find different sources of inspiration. I hope you can get there someday soon!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
Nice that you got to see the Grand Canyon!
And this cake looks awesome. I’m not big on vegan baked goods but this I could handle. Love the topping, too!
Marly
Thanks, Erin! I think finding a good topping is key…especially when that includes pudding!
Ricki
How gorgeous is this cake?!! Just as gorgeous as the Grand Canyon (maybe more)!! 😀 Would love a big piece of that. . will have to do with just drooling over the photo. 🙂
Shaina
This looks wonderful. I love a good pudding cake.
Angie
mmm, I know I’ll always find something delicious on your site!!!
marla
TOTALLY my kinda cake!!!
Cynthia Hill
Making this again. Everyone loved it last time!