Chocolate-Gingerbread Cake

The thing that inspired me to make this cake was the surplus of ginger-ale I had in the fridge. I had a stomach ache earlier in the week for whatever reason but a small amount of baking soda fixed that so I had no need for the carbonated drink. I tried to think of something to use for it, as none of us require any soda or similar drinks...so I baked a cake - which we need, right? I originally saw the "base" of this idea from Veganlovlie's Irish Tea Brack but obviously went way out on this.

(Chocolate-Gingerbread Cake Dry Ingredients)

• 3 cups of Rye Flour
• 1 tsp of Baking Powder
• 2 tsp of Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp of Ground Cloves
• 1/2 tsp of Nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp of Cardamom
• 1/4-1/2 cup of Cocoa Powder
• About 2 cups of Confectioner's Sugar
• 1/4 tsp of Sea Salt
• Dark Chocolate Chips
• A dash of Black Pepper

(Chocolate-Gingerbread Cake Wet Ingredients)

• 1/4 Cup of Blackstrap Molasses
• 3/4 cup of Vegetable Oil (sub half with banana for low-fat)
• 1 cup of Vegan Buttermilk
• 1 cup of Ginger ale
• Minced Ginger (optional)

(Directions)

• Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
• Mix your wet and dry separately, then fold your wet into your dry about 15 times or until fully incorporated.
• Place into a well-greased baking dish and tap about 5 times to keep the air bubbles from forming.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 30-45 minutes or until the middle is no longer gooey and the knife comes out clean when you do your "finished" test.
• Let it cool overnight or chill in the fridge for about four hours.Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with an orange wedge and enjoy!

Aaw, Crepes

Bottom: Blueberry and Chocolate
Top: Scrambled tofu, mushroom, spinach and cauliflower cream

Savory Crepes Recipe:

1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1/4-1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1/2 tbl Vegan Sugar

A Pinch of Garlic Powder and Nutritional Yeast

Enough Soymilk to thin it out

Sweet Crepes Recipe:

1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1/4 tsp Sea Salt

1/2 tbl Vegan Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Enough Soymilk to thin it out

Mix your ingredients together and set aside in a cool area while you gently spray your pan with cooking oil and rub off the excess. Put your preferred toppings in the middle once the edges have solidified and you can run around it with a rubber spatula. Once the whole thing has started to solify you can fold your crepe any way you like, cook it for a minute longer, remove from the heat and decorate it. Repeat until you run out of batter.

Enjoy!

Signed,

<3 Bou Shin <3

Happy Birthday Cupcakes

These are even better than my fudge brownies - especially if you love mocha! The icing is some sort of caramel flavoring (as suggested per the birthday girl) and there are little chocolate chips through the cupcakes.

(Vegan Mocha Cupcake Ingredients)

• 2 Cups of Sifted Cake Flour
• 1 Cup Vegan Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 Cup of Cocoa Powder
• 2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1-2 tsp Baking powder
• 1 Cup of Vegan Buttermilk
• 5 tbl Strong-Brewed Coffee
• 1/2 cup Veggie Oil (1/4 Coconut, 1/4 regular)
• Vegan Dark Chocolate Chips (dusted in flour)

(Vegan Buttercream Ingredients)

• 2 tbl Non-Dairy Caramel Creamer
• 5-8 tbl of Coconut Oil or preferred Vegan Alternative
• 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
• 3 Drops of Preferred Blue Dye (India Tree is best)
• 1-2 Cups of Powdered Sugar

(Directions)

• For the Vegan Mocha Cupcake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees.Sift the dry ingredients together and add in the buttermilk and coffee. Mix well.
• Add in the veggie oil and stir, then once fully incorporated you can add the chocolate chips.
• Fill the oiled cupcake tins 3/4 of the way and bake at 375 degrees for about 25-30 minutes or until the middle is clean (after poking with a knife).
• Let them cool and prep your buttercream.
• For the Vegan Buttercream: Cream the coconut oil/alternative until just before fluffy and add in the liquid and powdered sugar.
• Cream and add in the blue dye and more powdered sugar until your liking.
• Place about three tablespoons of buttercream onto each cupcake and spread into a beautiful rose shape.
• Cool in the fridge until ready to eat and enjoy!