OPULENT OAT, APPLE, WALNUT CAKE

I just tried out this recipe I made up in my head while I was having visions of sugar plums last night.  I hope SOMEONE likes it.  If you do, please, please let me know.  I'm desperate for attention.

GARDENBEAR

Preheat oven to 375.
Oil and dust a bundt pan.

Mix Dry Ingredients:

1 C whole wheat pastry flour
I C rolled oats
1 C light brown sugar (not packed)
1/2 C chopped walnuts
1/2 C shredded coconut
1/2 C dried fruit (currants, raisins, cranberries, peaches, apricots, whatever)
2 tsp ground cinnamnon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 medium granny smitth apple,m shredded

In a separate bowl (or one quart measuring cup), mix wet ingredients until frothy:
1 C cold water
3/4 C canola oil
2 tsp Vanilla
2 tsp apple cider vinegar

slowly add wet to dry, and beat on medium speed for a good 4 minutes. 

Pour into bundt pan.

Bake for 45 minutes (more or less), check with toothpick.

Allow to cool 15 minutes before turning it out onto a platter.  Then, I found it slices better if it is allowed to cool completely (1 hour). 

Drizzle with powdered sugar icing, if desired. 

Serves 12


I just tried it.  FABULOUS!!!  The dried fruit I used was currants.  And no icing.




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Super Moist Chocolate Cake

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

    1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (can substitute with whole wheat flour)
    1 cup brown sugar
    1/3 C sifted good quality cocoa
    1 teaspoon baking soda
    1/2 teaspoon salt, optional
    3/4 C  canola oil
    1 tablespoon white vinegar
    2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    1 cup cold water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; mix well.

2. Pour the wet ingredients into a bowl. Whisk furiously until you begin to work up a sweat.  Mix the wet and dry ingredients together until there aren't any more lumps and pour into a bundt cake pan.  (It's nice to oil it very lightly and dust it with white sugar, instead of flour.)

3. Bake for about 40 minutes, test with a fork.  Let it sit for an hour.  Then, invert it on a platter.  Be sure to cover it after it cools. 

This cake is FABULOUS.  It's great plain.  But, it's also good with vegan german chocolate frosting.  (Once I get the links and kinks worked out, the link would be [here].  Dust it with powdered sugar.  I even like it with some very lightly sauteed berries.  You can sautee them in just a teaspoon of canola oil.

Enough cake for 8-10 people.  Preparation time: 15 minutes, Cooking time: 40+ minutes
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