Chocolate Raspberry Cake - Vegan

In this Chocolate Raspberry Cake recipe I show you how to assemble a layer cake step-by-step! It's a delicious vegan chocolate cake which is layered with chocolate mousse and homemade raspberry jam. 

Ingredients
Chocolate Cake:

• 2 cups non-dairy milk 480ml
• 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 cup vegan butter 225g, or coconut oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 tsp instant coffee or espresso granules optional
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose or spelt flour 420g, or gluten-free flour*
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder 65g
• 2 1/2 cups sugar 250g, or to taste
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup apple sauce 120g, or 1 mashed banana (optional, if you want a moister cake)

Chocolate Frosting:

• 1 1/4 cup non-dairy whipping cream (or full-fat coconut milk) 300ml
• 12 oz non-dairy bittersweet chocolate chopped (I used 60% cacao)
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar 40g (OR 2-3 tbsp agave syrup)

Chocolate Mousse Filling

• 1/2 cup vegan cream cheese 60g, or sub tofu (blended until creamy)
• 1/2 cup non-dairy whipping cream (or full-fat coconut milk) 120ml
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup of the chocolate frosting

Homemade Raspberry Jam (optional)

• 8 oz raspberries frozen
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp sugar
• squeeze of lemon juice optional

Decoration (optional)

• raspberries
• strawberries
• chopped chocolate

Instructions
 
Frosting

1. In a small pot, heat the coconut milk until just boiling (or microwave for about 2 minutes).
2. Pour this mixture over the chopped chocolate and stir until the chocolate is melted.
3. Add the agave syrup or powdered sugar and beat with a hand mixer until smooth.
4. Remove 1/3 cup of the chocolate frosting (to use in the chocolate mousse). Let cool remaining frosting until thickened into a spreadable frosting.

Chocolate Mousse

1. Using a hand mixer, beat the vegan cream cheese, non-dairy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Pour in reserved 1/3 cup frosting and continue beating until thick and stiff peaks form. (If the frosting became to firm in the meantime, slightly heat up again until melted).

Raspberry Jam

1. In a small pot, thaw frozen raspberries over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Mash with a spoon.
2. In a small cup, dissolve cornstarch in 2 tbsp water. Stir into the raspberries along with the sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened. Set aside to cool. (It will thicken up even more when cooled).

Chocolate Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch (3x20cm) cake pans.*
2. Stir the apple cider vinegar into the non-dairy milk and set aside to curdle into vegan buttermilk.
3. In a small pot over medium heat, slowly melt the vegan butter. Stir in coffee granules and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly.
4. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl and mix to combine.
5. Pour the vegan buttermilk and soft butter mixture over the flour mixture. Also, add the apple sauce and stir just until combined and no large lumps remain (please do not overmix). (Adjust sugar to your desired taste).
6. Fill the batter into the prepared cake pans and bake for about 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out almost clean. Then let cool completely. (If you want a moist chocolate cake, make sure not to overbake it.)

Assemble the Cake:

1. Remove the frosting from the fridge and mix until creamy.
2. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread about 1/2 of the raspberry jam over the cake. Then spread 1/2 of the chocolate mousse over it. Top with the next layer, and repeat this process. Place the third layer on top and spread the chocolate frosting all over your cake.
3. Decorate with fresh berries and chopped chocolate if you like and enjoy!

Notes

• To make this cake GLUTEN-FREE, you can use a gluten-free flour blend 1:1.
• You can also use store-bought jam or omit it completely.
• If you have only 2 pans, you can bake 2/3 of the batter in one pan for approx. 40 minutes. Then let cool completely and cut into 2 layers.
• If you want to make cupcakes or muffins with this recipe, bake for approx. 20 minutes.
• I used this non-dairy whipping cream because it gets perfectly creamy and stiff but full-fat coconut milk will do too.
• Please read my blogpost for additional Information about this recipe.