Vegan Chocolate Cake, for Mother's Day 2011

A couple of poems that touched my heart, I dedicate to my loving mom:

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,

  Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,

Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

  But only one mother the wide world over.

~George Cooper

No painter's brush, nor poet's pen
   In justice to her fame
Has ever reached half high enough
  To write a mother's name.
~Author Unknown
 

I have been thinking what to post in honor of Mother's Day and this is what I concluded with. My mom who has a weakness for anything sweet would be very pleased with this "Earth-Loving" cake.

So here's to you, Amma, for all of your endless support, boundless love and angelic patience! - over the years.

Recipe Source: One Perfect Bite.

Ingredients:
Dry Ingredients:

• 3 Cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 2-1/2 Cups Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder
• 1 Tbsp Espresso Powder or Instant Coffee Powder (Folgers or Nescafe`)
• 2 Tsp Baking Soda
• 1 Tsp Salt
• Confectioner's Sugar, or dusting

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Cold Water
• 1 Cup Canola Oil
• 2 Tsp Vanilla extract
• 2  Tsp White Vinegar
• 1/2 Tsp Almond Extract

Tool:

• 9 X 13 X 2 inch Oven-Safe Rectangular Baking Pan
• Parchment Paper,for lining the pan (Optional)

 Procedure:

• Sift together the flour, baking soda and cocoa powder in a wide pan.

 

• Add the granulated sugar, salt and espresso/coffee powder to the sifter flour mixture.

• Add cold water to the measuring cup. Stir in the vinegar, vanilla extract and almond extract.

• Pour the water-vinegar-extract mixture into the dry ingredients and mix it with a rubber/silicone spatula. Add the Canola Oil and mix till the batter is lump free.

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the baking pan with little oil. Line the bottom with parchment paper, if using. Grease the paper with little oil and lightly dust with flour. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 45 minutes to 50 minutes or till the toothpick inserted into the center comes clean.

• Completely cool the cake and cut it into square(s) a couple of hours later with a very sharp serrated knife. Enjoy it as is or with a good dusting of confectioner's sugar on top.

Makes ~20 Servings.
If you like to add ripe banana in the batter, check this recipe for Vegan Chocolate Banana Cake.

Note:

• This cake isn't too sweet. You may add 1/2 Cup sugar additionally if you prefer a sweeter cake.

Enjoy!