Chocolate Strawberry Cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Start by greasing two 8 or 9 inch cake pans with the plant-based butter. Dust them with some cocoa powder. (You can also use parchment paper here is you’re used to doing things that way).

Using a cup measure or small bowl, place one tbsp of white wine vinegar, then add 1 cup of almond milk over that. Let rest for at least 5 minutes. (This concoction mimics buttermilk). This would also be a good time to mix your ground flax seeds with the water.

In a large bowl, mix your flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together. Mix thoroughly. Then add the vegetable oil, milk and vinegar mixture, ground flax seed mixture, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly, just until everything is incorporated and looking smooth.

Next take a cups-worth of sliced strawberries and place in a small bowl. Reserve the rest of the strawberries. Using an immersion blender, blend the strawberries until you have a smooth strawberry sauce.

Put half of the juice in your cake batter along with the vegan chocolate chips. Mix into the batter. Reserve the remaining strawberry juice.

Place an equal amount of batter in both prepared cake tins, smoothing the batter over with a spatula or spoon to assure it’s level. Place in the oven and bake for 27 - 32 minutes. When you reach the 25 minute mark, take a toothpick and place in the center of each sponge to make sure it comes out clean. If it comes out gooey, keep in the oven for longer.

Once they’re done, carefully take out of the oven and let the sponges sit in the tins for 10 - 15 minutes before turning out on wire racks to cool completely.

Place your plant-based butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder in the bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl. (I highly recommend either a stand mixer or hand-held electric mixer to do this.)

Mix over medium speed until the mixture becomes the consistency of icing.

Place one layer of the cake on the platter you intend to serve it on. Start to spread your icing on top of the sponge, being careful to reserve enough for the top layer and sides of the cake.

Once you’ve covered the top, take out the reserved pureed strawberries and spread over the icing, but leaving some space along the edges so it doesn’t spill over.

Take your reserved strawberries and dice them fine. Put on top of the pureed strawberry.

Then carefully place the second sponge on top and ice the tops and side with the remaining icing.

Decorate the top with any remaining strawberries if so desired.