Vegan Espresso Cake
A luxuriously soft vegan espresso cake layered with silky coffee buttercream and drizzled with rich espresso caramel.
Equipment
Ingredients
Cake layers
all-purpose flour
300 g
granulated sugar
200 g
cocoa powder
40 g
baking powder
10 g
baking soda
5 g
salt
3 g
espresso or strong coffee (hot)
240 ml
olive oil
120 ml
apple cider vinegar
15 ml
vanilla extract
10 ml
Coffee buttercream
vegan butter (softened)
200 g
powdered sugar
300 g
espresso or strong coffee (cold)
60 ml
vanilla extract
5 ml
Espresso caramel
granulated sugar
150 g
coconut milk
120 ml
espresso or strong coffee (hot)
30 ml
salt
1 g
Instructions
Preheat oven
Preheat the oven to 175°C and line two 20 cm round cake pans with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
Mix wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine hot espresso, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract.
Combine batter
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
Bake cake layers
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool cake layers
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make coffee buttercream
Beat vegan butter until light and fluffy, then gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in cold espresso and vanilla until smooth and spreadable.
Make espresso caramel
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar until amber. Carefully whisk in coconut milk and espresso, then simmer until thickened. Add salt.
Assemble cake
Place one cooled cake layer on a plate. Spread half the coffee buttercream, drizzle with espresso caramel, then top with the second layer. Repeat with remaining buttercream and caramel.
Original recipe
Storage
Store cake covered in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture. Caramel may firm up; warm slightly before drizzling if needed.
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