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The BEST chocolate cake EVER! And it’s vegan

If you don’t eat cake, I don’t think we can be friends. Kidding! Not really ;) Today I want to share with you the BEST chocolate cake recipe EVER! And it’s vegan.

Cara is allergic to eggs, dairy and peanuts. It sounds a little more hectic than it actually is. Or maybe we’re just so used to it that it’s easy to get around it.

Cake isn’t always that easy though. We often bake muffins and cupcakes and then we substitute the eggs with bananas and use soy milk if the recipes calls for it (read: if it says add milk on the packet).

The BEST chocolate cake EVER! And it’s vegan

A proper cake is a different story. Then I remembered that we used to bake an AMAZING chocolate cake when I was a kid (thanks Tannie Elmari!). And it contained no eggs and no dairy! Yay for being vegan/vegetarian friendly.

I did a little search on the web and found similar recipes (this one is still the best!) and learnt that this cake is also called Depression Cake (the recipe originates from the Great Depression when eggs and dairy were a luxury), Crazy Cake or Wacky Cake. I just call it the yummiest and easiest cake in the world.

Chocolate Crazy Cake

The BEST chocolate cake EVER! And it’s vegan

Ingredients:

  • 750 ml flour
  • 20 ml baking powder
  • 500 ml sugar
  • 80 ml cocoa powder
  • 500 ml boiled water
  • 250 ml cooking oil
  • 10 ml vanilla essence
  • 50 ml white vinegar*
  • 5 ml bicarbonate of soda

*Not all white vinegar is vegan! I have seen white vinegar substituted with apple cider vinegar, but I have yet to try it. I’d love some vegan advice!

Pop over here for a handy conversions table from Huletts.

Steps:

Sift and mix the dry ingredients (excluding the bicarb) in a large bowl.

Mix the wet ingredients & bicarb in a separate bowl.

Now add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk lightly until completely combined and there are no lumps.

Bake in a greased dish at 180º for about 20 min.

The one I use is an approx 33cm x 25cm / 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking dish. It’s the ‘bakpan’ that came with the oven (damn, I think I’m ready for the Great SA Bake Off!).  If you know more about baking than I do, and I’m sure you do, you’ll now what to use. Trick: if the toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, it’s perfect.

And there you have the MOST DIVINE CHOCOLATE CAKE! And it contains no eggs and no dairy!

Let me know if you try it.

I’m going to have a piece now …

xoxo

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Oats so good! Delicious Jungle Oats recipes

Jungle Oats has forever been the first brand that comes to mind when I think of oats. No wonder as ‘The Breakfast of Champions’ has been around for 95 years! Jungle Oats recently held a media breakfast that I unfortunately couldn’t attend (damn you day job!), but when I received the press email, I knew I had to share what they’ve been up to and these lip-smacking Jungle Oats recipes by Zola Nene. Enjoy!

Jungle Oats recipes Pretty Please Charlie

Oats are nature’s perfect energy-source. For almost a century, Jungle Oats has been South Africa’s energy champion. If you’ve ever wondered why Jungle Oats is such a trusted brand, consider the following:

  • Jungle Oats are full of fibre, which is essential for heart and colon health: it assists to lower cholesterol, stabilises blood sugar and prevents constipation (if combined as part of balanced diet, low in salt and fat)
  • Jungle Oats contain important minerals, like iron and zinc and other essentials for good health.
  • Jungle Oats are the perfect breakfast. Oats make an easy-to-prepare, balanced meal that provides sustained energy for the day. They also keep you feeling fuller for longer, and so less likely to snack indiscriminately.

Marketing Executive, Maria Soares, explains: “Oats are a reliable and wholesome source of long-lasting fuel for your body. Jungle Oats helps you start strong and stay ahead. Whatever kind of champion you are, we have a natural source of energy for you.”

Jungle Oats’ new strap line “Have a good breakfast, you have a big life ahead of you” emphasises the importance of breakfast as essential for sustained energy for mental and physical readiness. No matter who you are, you have the ability to become a champion with the right preparation!

There is a Jungle Oats product perfectly suited to you and your lifestyle. For kids, there is Crunchalots; for people on the run there is the convenient Jungle Oats Instant and the convenient Jungle OatsoEasy range. For the more athletic, there is Jungle Ultra and for families, the original Jungle Oats Hot porridge. New products have been launched, including Jungle Oatso Easy Cups, with instant Jungle Oats, real fruits and nuts. All you have to do is add boiling water, stir and enjoy in the cup.

Jungle Oats’ commitment to helping South African children reach their full potential has seen them feed over 30 million school children over the past five years.  Together with the Tiger Brands Foundation, the campaign “Nourishing young growing minds” means they will continue to provide the most essential meals, breakfast as well as lunch. You can learn more about it at www.tigerbrandsfoundation.com.

Jungle Oats Recipes

Jungle Oats spicy baked eggs with oat flapjacks recipe

Jungle Oats Apple Crumble Smoothie recipe

Jungle Oats Crunchalot Brownies recipe

Jungle Oats Blueberry Smoothie recipe

Jungle Oats Rusks recipe

Jungle Oats Raisin Bread recipe

Which one of these Jungle Oats Recipes are your favourite?

xoxo