Yes-chocolate Cake!

From Lean and Luscious and Meatless, this cake gets its wonderful, moist texture from maple syrup, applesauce, and apple juice. You have to try this one to believe how good it is!

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• Cake

• 3⁄4 cup whole wheat flour
• 2⁄3 cup  oat bran (3 ounces)
• 1⁄4 cup  unsweetened cocoa
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 2  egg whites
• 1⁄2 cup pure maple syrup
• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 1⁄2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2⁄3 cup  apple juice
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  almond extract

• Topping

• 2  tablespoons chocolate chips (or carob chips)
• 2  tablespoons  chopped walnuts (1/2 ounce)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Lightly oil an 8-inch square baking pan or spray with a nonstick cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, combine flour, oat bran, cocoa, baking powder, and baking soda; mix well.
4. In another bowl, combine remaining cake ingredients.
5. Beat with a fork or wire whisk until blended.
6. Add to dry mixture, mixing until all ingredients are moistened.
7. Place in prepared pan.
8. Sprinkle nuts and chocolate chips evenly over cake, pressing them lightly into the cake.
9. Bake 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
10. Cool in pan on wire rack.
11. Cut into squares to serve.