Vegan Chocolate Cake

(I found this recipe on a print-out a church while I was cleaning. I’m not sure who it’s from, but I appreciate their generosity in sharing it.)

“Vegan chocolate cake! If it’s vegan, it must be good for me, right?”

Oh, how I wish that were the case. Please ignore all the refined carbs and empty calories in this cake and just enjoy it.

Cake:
3 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
6 Tbsp. cocoa
1 tsp. salt
2 c. sugar
3 Tbsp. vinegar (I used white balsamic, as that’s all I had)
2 tsp. vanilla
¾ c. oil (I used vegetable)
2 c. cold water

Measure flour, soda, cocoa, salt and sugar into large mixing bowl. Add vinegar, vanilla, oil and water and mix well. Pour batter into greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. After removing cake, let cool, then drizzle with icing.

Icing:
1 c. powdered sugar
3-4 Tbsp. cocoa
½ tsp. vegetable oil
1/3 c. water (add more if needed)

Chewy Cocoa Brownies

This recipe is a gift -- yes, a gift! -- from Christine. Christine and I had a brownie and cookie party a few weeks back, and Christine was nice enough to leave some behind for us. I found these brownies to be especially tasty after one or two days. If you can resist them for that long...!

1 2/3 c sugar
3/4 c butter, melted
2 Tbsp water
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 c all-purpose flour
3/4 c baking cocoa
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c chopped nuts (optional)

350 degree oven. Greased 13x9 pan.
Combine sugar, butter and water in large bowl. Stir in eggs and vanilla.
Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in medium bowl; stir into sugar mixture. Stir in nuts.
Spread into pan. Bake for 18-25 mintues.