Deep Vegan Cake (Chocolate Cake) Made Lighter

This is the best chocolate cake, vegan or not. Here is a way to make it lower in fat and calories and not cut back on any of the flavor. It is the infamous Moosewood Chocolate Cake! I have served this rich cake to my friends and family and they love it and can't believe it is vegan and "lower fat" and calories. I like it better made with applesauce instead of all oil.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 layer cake

Ingredients

• Cake

• 1 1⁄2 cups unbleached white flour
• 1⁄3 cup cocoa powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup Splenda sugar substitute
• 1⁄2 cup fructose
• 1⁄4 cup applesauce
• 1⁄4 cup  oil
• 1  cup brewed coffee, chilled
• 2  teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2  tablespoons cider vinegar

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting

• 2  ounces  unsweetened chocolate
• 1⁄4 cup  natural-style peanut butter
• 3  tablespoons water (plus a little more if needed)
• 1  teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 cup fructose, powdered (run through a spice mill)
• 1⁄2 cup Splenda sugar substitute

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Generously oil an 8-inch square or round baking pan and dust with a little sifted cocoa or line the bottom with parchment paper.
3. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, soda, salt, and sugar.
4. In another bowl, combine the applesauce, oil, coffee, and vanilla.
5. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until well blended and smooth.
6. Add the vinegar and stir briefly; the baking soda will begin to react with the vinegar right away, leaving pale swirls in the batter.
7. Without wasting any time, pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
9. Cool for 20 minutes, then frost with Chocolate Peanut Butter frosting.
10. In a double boiler or small heavy saucepan, melt the chocolate on medium heat. (You can also melt it in the microwave.).
11. While it melts, beat together the peanut butter, water, and vanilla until smooth.
12. Beat in the Splenda and Fructose and add the melted chocolate, mixing until blended.
13. Spread the frosting on the cooled cake.