You don't need a reason to enjoy a deeply rich chocolate cake. There are very few perfect things in this world, and when you find one, you should enjoy it wholeheartedly.
Like this cake, for example.
Deeply rich, intoxicatingly moist, beautifully sweet -- it will leave you dreaming about it long after you take the last bite. And the secret ingredient to this devastatingly delicious dessert?
Applesauce.
Yes, I know. Apples and chocolate? Together? Give me a break.
But seriously. The applesauce replaces the eggs in this recipe, leaving you with a smooth, dense result. This works because of the applesauce's ability to bind ingredients together, much like eggs do, while also adding a unique, tangy flavor to the cake.
Ready to try it?
To make, you'll need:
2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1/3 c. salt
1/4 c. honey
1 1/2 c. applesauce
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/4 c. ripe banana (or another 1/2 c. of vegetable oil)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. coconut milk
4 oz. chocolate chips
To bake:
Preheat the oven to 350 F and prepare a 9-inch cake pan.
Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Add the honey, applesauce, and vegetable oil, blending well.
In a separate bowl, mash your banana. Add to the applesauce mixture, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Mix well, then pour into the prepared pan.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
To prepare the ganache topping, heat your coconut milk in a saucepan over the stove.
Once simmering, remove from heat and add in your chocolate chips, stirring to incorporate.
Stir until smooth, then pour over your cake and let set.
You'll be hard-pressed to find a richer, more satisfying cake. To really enhance the recipe, be sure to use the local, fresh honey sold in our market and make your own applesauce using the apples from our orchard!
You don't need an excuse -- simply enjoy!