Cocoa Powder * natural NOT Dutched Process 4 Tablespoons24g
Egg Replacer *I am using Bob's Red Mill 2 Tablespoons * see note above
Granulated Sugar 2 cups400g
Vegetable Oil ¾ cup177ml
Plant Milk * I am using soy milk 2 cups473ml
Vanilla Extract 2 teaspoons10ml
For the Ermine Buttercream:
Granulated Sugar 2 cups400g
All Purpose Flour ¾cup + 2 Tbs110g
Plant Milk *I have used both soy & almond with good results 2 cups473ml
Vegan Butter 4 sticks454g
Vanilla Extract 2 teaspoons10ml
Salt pinch
Instructions
For the cake batter, combine the sugar, salt, vanilla extract, oil and milk in a large mixing bowl and whisk smooth.
Sift the flour, beet root powder, cocoa powder, baking powder and the egg replacer together then add it to the liquids in the mixing bowl.
Whisk smooth then divide the batter evenly between your greased & parchment lined cake pans
Bake immediately in a preheated 350°F oven for approximately 25-30 minutes or when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or better yet when they are springy to the touch when you gently press the centersCLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Cool cakes in the pan until you can safely touch them with your fingers then flip onto a cooling rack to cool the rest of the way
Meanwhile to prepare your ermine buttercream, combine the flour, salt & sugar together in a medium heavy bottom sauce pot over medium - high heat.
Whisk together and let the flour "toast" for about 2 minutes whisking to prevent burning on the bottom.
Add the room temperature plant milk whisking constantly to smooth
Bring the custard to a boil whisking constantly
Once it starts to bubble gently, remove it from the heat add the vanilla extract and then pour into onto a large plate and cover it directly on the surface with plastic wrap or parchment paper to prevent a "skin"
Cool in the refrigerator while you whip the vegan butter to fluffy.
Add the cooled (be careful this is not the slightest bit hot or you will have a melted butter!) custard to the whipped buttercream 1 heaping tablespoon at a time, whipping on medium the entire time until it is all incorporated.
Ice cake as shown in the video.
For making the *optional red velvet balls to go on topCLICK HERE
Notes
This cake will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days, for longer storage refrigerate for up to 1 week.While this is a strong buttercream, I have been told that it does not hold up very well in hot temperatures! 3.5.3226 3.5.3251