This time, the bundt cake worked.
Back in college when I was cooking and baking a lot, I was also working out 2 hours a day and teaching step class. I had a few recipes that were labeled "low fat" that I made often, and this is one of them. I modified my old recipe as it called for 8 egg whites.
Yep, I used to be a cake eating weight lifter.
Don't let the "low fat" designation fool you, though - this is the finest ruse in all of baking. It is decadent and rich, moist and fluffy. It is delicious.
decadent chocolate bundt cake
dairy, egg and gluten free, vegan
makes one bundt
2 tablespoons chia seeds
¾ cup water
½ box silken tofu, whipped
1 ¼ cup almond milk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons instant coffee
1 cup sour cream (Tofutti)
2 (2 ½ ounce) jars baby food prunes
1 box chocolate cake mix (gluten free devils food)
1 (4 ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup chocolate chips (trader joes dairy free)
powdered sugar, to decorate
Combine chia seeds and water, set aside to gel. Whip tofu until fluffy, add chia gel and continue to whip. In another bowl, combine almond milk, apple cider vinegar and instant coffee. Combine milk and chia/tofu mixtures, sour cream, and prunes. Add cake and pudding mixes, stir until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared (buttered or sprayed, floured) bundt pan, bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes clean.
Cool completely, top with sifted powdered sugar. Optionally, drizzle with melted dark chocolate.
So now you know the ruse includes baby food prunes. Seriously, they are essential to the cake, in the best way. Trust me on this one, this cake is amazing.
I have been meaning to share this cake with you for a while - and when Deb of Kahakai Kitchen chose My Big Fat Greek Wedding as the Food n Flix this month, I knew what I was going to make before I even re-watched the movie.
In the movie, when the two sets of parents are meeting for the first time, the groom's mother brings a bundt to dinner. Mama Portokalos didn't know what it was.
"What is it?"
"Buuunnnn... dt?"
"There's a hole in this cake."
Later when serving it, she presented it with a pot of flowers in the middle.
Come on, you cannot be surprised I did that.
I am having fun participating in food 'n flix for my second month, and this is a fun movie so I was happy to watch it again!
Growing up next door to a huge Italian family, and being best friends with one of the five kids in that family, I can relate to the movie in this way. In fact, my family, while not as large, is most certainly as loud! We are always talking, laughing, eating... some of the main events in the Portokalos family as well.
I love the sweet father, who really just wants what is best for his daughter. I love the brothers and cousins, not only for being protective of Toula, but for the hilarious "teaching" of Greek phrases to the groom to be.
Sticking to traditions that are important and make sense, while bending the rules on some others seems like a good summation of this fun film, and a good way to approach life in general.
Meanwhile, I'm enjoying new flowers in my kitchen window. and some chocolate cake.
To see a roundup of all Greek Wedding inspirations, visit Kahakai Kitchen in the next couple days.
To participate or host a month with your own movie choice, visit Food ‘n Flix for more information and to see the upcoming movies.
Julia says
I've been using tofu more in desserts, but have yet to add it to a cake... as I was reading the ingredients, the thought occurred to me, "what 'firmness' of tofu do you use for cakes?" I tend to always just grab the 'extra firm' out of habit really. But with whipping it, I wondered if you used a less firm block? I know, this might be way random, but I thought I'd ask before I go buy it so I can make this cake.
Oh, and I AM a cake eating weight lifter, currently, present day. And I'm proud of it 😉
spabettie says
not random at all, Julia! but I used silken tofu for this recipe, and I believe it does not come in different firmness as a standard tofu does - it is a whole different consistency (and easy to whip!). You will find it in the same area as other tofu, it's in a carton type box, a bit smaller than the others.
cake eating weightlifters unite! I hope you love this cake!
Anne says
wow, gorgeous photos and this looks like a fun event!
Lori Larson says
making this cake for Easter, it looks so good!
Monica says
I just had to tell you, the first time I made this, mine broke apart coming out of the bundt too! I think I did the milk mixture wrong. The second time I slowed down, followed exactly, and this cake came out perfect. moist and perfectly crumbed, tastes amazing!
now all I need is to know what you did with the first cake, lol!
Kris @Krazy_Kris says
fresh flowers + chocolate cake = soul medicine 🙂
spabettie says
😀
alicia @bakeaholic says
Haha! I LOVE this movie, and especially that part. "OH! You fixed the cake!" lol what a great pairing for the movie indeed. Looks delicious
spabettie says
I know, I love that too... I *had* to put flowers in the middle of mine! 😀
Glennis says
What a great recipe choice from the movie! I love that you couldn't resist adding the flowers! Welcome to Food n Flix! I hope you're having fun with us!
Heather @girlichef says
Ha ha ha ha - awesome! It totally makes me smile to see a flower pot in the center of your rich, luscious looking Bundt! Buuunnn..dt? ha ha ha.
spabettie says
bunnnnn... ddt?? I love it. I HAD to do the flower - it was a fun photo shoot, this one. I am LOVING food n flix, by the way, so happy I found it! 🙂
Heather @girlichef says
Yay, me too! 🙂
Deb in Hawaii says
The cake is gorgeous--I am definitely going to have to try it. I am so glad it worked out this time. Thanks again for joining in Food 'n Flix for this month! I had a blast hosting and the leap day round up will likely be up by the time you read this.
Aloha,
Deb
spabettie says
thank YOU for hosting and picking such a fun movie - I really had fun with this one! I hope the cake works for you the FIRST time 😉 (I have already made it again, using a regular sheet cake pan and it worked great! 🙂
Suzanne says
Wow my mom would be in gluten free heaven since she is chocolate lover. I like how you added all these healthy elements to it.
spabettie says
this is the Nearly Perfect Chocolate Cake. I love it. 🙂