Virtual Vegan Potluck Finally Here

What is a vegan? We all know the basics of this right? No eggs, no dairy, don’t wear silk and love raw cookie dough balls. Didn’t know the last one? Well now you do 😀

Veganism is truly defined as: “The practice of abstinence from using animal products” – I used to think every vegan in the world was a saint. I am not even kidding you. After all, how could one manage to live in harmony without chocolate, ice cream and fluffy sponges which need eggs?

Now, after starting blogging, I met many a vegan blogger. And yes, while these guys are still saints, I learnt from them that they enjoy life just as much as us vegetarians and omnivores 😉

vegan potluck 18
Vegans are Masters at manipulation, Kings of creativity and Sultans of substitutions. Don’t believe me? Check this site out – for every egg, milk and buttery product, there is a vegan equal and I just have to bow down to the majesty in that 🙂

Does that mean I am turning vegan? Psshaw, no way, are you serious? While I admire vegans insanely, I cannot imagine not have Baskin Robbins on the weekend or having limitations of butter consummation on my toast – yes, I am weak, so what 😉
Though truth be told, I can happily resort to eating no eggs (though still wanted in cakes ;))

vegan potluck 19
*****************************************************************************

I know many bloggers who are fully fledged vegans and many who just experiment due to the health benefits of eating no butter (go figure ;))

vegan potluck 20-
One such blogger is Annie.
She apparently feels she is an Unrefined Vegan. She feels wrong. Her recipes, are classy, sophisticated and have vegan pizzazz to the max. That’s right I said it and I will say it again. Pizzazz.

If I was to have an ultimate vegan source of recipes, hers would be the blog to turn to, I promise you that 😀

FUDGY!

FUDGY!

Anyway, so a couple of weeks back, Annie came up with the most fabulous idea – to spread and nurture the concept of veganism in the foodie community as well as bring everyone closer together by creating

THE VIRTUAL VEGAN POTLUCK 😀

vegan potluck 22

A chain of dishes in a vegan party going from appetisers through to desserts, showing off so many wonderful, delicious, exotic and absolutely 100% vegan friendly dishes 😀

I saw her post and for some reason, automatically asked to be part of it, obviously, as one of the many dessert bringers.

vegan potluck 13
Haha, I guess I should tell you, I have never um, been a vegan for a day and I don’t think I have a single recipe which is actually vegan, unless you count my banana soft serve ice cream 😉

But I did know this. Despite my impulsive offer, I knew this vegan dessert had to

  • Not look or taste as if it was made for vegans
  • Involve  chocolate
  • Have gorgeous presentation
  • Make the eater come back for more

vegan potluck 16
It did not take long for me to find my dessert dish to give as part of the potluck 😀

  1. Stop at Not Quite Nigella, who is to me, more than Nigella (that’s right, I said it out loud!)
  2. Go through all of her blog for the fun of it
  3. Be serious and search for a vegan dish
  4. Find THIS AMAZING CAKE
  5. Adapt said amazing cake to my liking

IMG_6077
Et voila! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the dessert buffet of THE VIRTUAL VEGAN POTLUCK!
You have seen some desserts and with more to come, this is my contribution to this totally awesome Veganised night of eatery!
I toast some cake to you Annie – thank you for organising this potluck and teaching me to appreciate veganism! Check out her post right here 🙂

vegan potluck`14
Here I present to you:

Maple Nut Vegan Banana Chocolate Cake
Adapted from: Not Quite Nigella

Ingredients:

Cake:

  • 1 1/2 cups plain flour
  • 1 cup + 2 tbs brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbs maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 cups mixed raw nuts
  • 6 tbs cocoa powder
    vegan potluck 1
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3 tbs mild flavoured vegetable oil
    vegan potluck 5
  • 4 small ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 tbs white vinegar
  • 4 tsp vanilla essence
  • 100g dairy free dark chocolate, finely chopped

Icing:

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup icing mixture
  • 1-2 tsp cocoa powder
  • 110g dark dairy free chocolate, finely chopped
    vegan potluck 6

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C. Grease and line a 20cm springform tin with baking paper
  2. Place maple syrup and nuts in a saucepan over low heat and toast until fragrant. Set aside
    vegan potluck 2
  3. Sift all dry ingredient into a large bowl and combine
    vegan potluck 3
  4. In a separate bowl, combine mashed banana, oil, vinegar, water and essence
  5. Make a well in the dry mixture and pour in wet ingredients. Mix until just combined
    vegan potluck 4
  6. Stir in chocolate and maple nuts then pour into prepared tin. Smooth top
    vegan potluck 7
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack
    vegan potluck 10
  8. While baking prepare the syrup: Heat water, icing mixture and cocoa powder together until boiling and syrupy. When thick, immediately add chocolate and stir until melted through
    vegan potluck 9
  9. While cake is cooling, poke holes in it (leaving it in tin) and pour sauce all over OR allow icing to partially set and decorate the cake as if it were a thick ganache (so versatile!)
  10. Let cool completely, remove from tin and ENJOY 😀

vegan potluck 25
Notes

  • You can serve it with maple roasted bananas but I opted for plain bananas smothered in the sauce 😉

*****************************************************************************

So now let’s keep this potluck moving on!

If you want to start from the beginning of the 60+ (I know!) dishes available, start from the host of this fantastic event, Lidia @ Vegan Bloggers Unite – she starts this chain from the vegan appetisers 😀 – Go on, embrace your inner vegan by beginning right here!

If you are already in the chain, then either you can:

1. Go back to Fridge Scrapings and enjoy her delectable dessert again

vegan potluck 13

2. Go forward to Herbivores to see the other scrumptious dessert additions of this virtual banquet to come 🙂

Click this pic!

Click this pic!

Thank you again Annie – spread the word everyone and let’s make this potluck a massive success of veganism 😀 😀

Please note: I will be updating the exact posts part of the chain of events as soon as possible when posted by the other bloggers – please be patient – due to time differences it is a little everywhere 🙂

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267 Comments

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  8. Nami | Just One Cookbook says:

    Me too, until I started to blog, I didn’t know there are lots of vegan recipe blogs out there. I have several friends who’s vegan and they will be excited to get the recipe! Love chocolatey dessert. I can’t get enough. 😉

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thanks my friend 😀
      Vegans are seriously amazing and I am glad to have met them through blogging!
      Hope you and your vegan (and non vegan ;)) friends enjoy!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  10. burlesquebaker says:

    Ugh, this cake looks AMAZING! I actually was interested in your written content, but I kept getting distracted by the delicious cake pictures! I am definitely making this! While I am not a vegan, I am trying to change my diet, and I’ve never thought of at least trying out being a “part-time” vegan. Hmmm, I will maybe try this out! (The cake alone converted me!!)

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Haha the pictures do have a tendency to be stared at 😉
      Thanks so much 😀
      I hope you enjoy it when you make it! And part time vegan sounds awesome, especially if you get to eat this cake then 😉
      Also thanks for subscribing! I hope you enjoy it 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  11. Eva Taylor says:

    This totally looks amazing and not at all vegan; I noticed that recipe on Lorraine’s blog a while ago and made a mental note, but I LOVE your change up with the inclusions. Very decadent, CCU. And a lovely treat after exams, which I hope went well.

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you so much 😀
      It was a pretty outstanding recipe but I am glad you like my changes 🙂
      Decadent indeed – and thanks for the good wishes on exams… let me say that for the entire grade, the leap from yr 10 to 11 proved a little much – always next time though!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  23. Richgail Enriquez says:

    Wow, I wanna make it this weekend. Where can I find the vegan icing mixture? THis looks AWESOME especially because I love chocolate desserts, YUM!

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      You described it perfectly my friend – thank you so much 😀
      I will be honest, I was a little worried about sans eggs but it was totally worth it 🙂
      And you are so giving to share with your sis!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  28. Sawsan@ Chef in disguise says:

    You did a brilliant job with your first vegan recipe
    I was actually looking for a vegan cheese recipe for an event and your post could not have come at a better time, with all those vegan blogs I am sure to find a great one

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  30. Juliana says:

    Interesting recipe…vegan or not, this looks delicious, and I just wish I could have a slice of it with my coffee right now.
    Thanks for this interesting recipe and hope you have a wonderful week ahead 🙂

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  32. kitchenriffs says:

    Great recipe, fabulous post. I’m neither vegan nor vegetarian, although I often cook both (I have many friends who are one or the other). And I admire the creative ways cooks have of coping with their restricted pantry. And the virtual potluck is a great idea! Really fun read – thanks.

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you very much 😀
      I am glad you enjoyed it – you have a very versatile range is you can cook both cusinies without actually being either one 🙂

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  33. sprint2thetable says:

    I am so glad you’ve delved into vegan baking! I often think those baked goods are better than the “real” thing because they are so creative and require extra attention. Your cake looks worthy of a face-plant. 🙂

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      I know exactly what you mean my friend 😀 – their creativity is what made making this recipe so much fun 🙂
      And thank you very much on behalf of a most indignant cake 😉

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Your compliments always make my day – no objection to repeating anything my friend 😉
      Haha and I like your description of this cake indeed 🙂

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you 😀
      And the potluck did teach me a lot in the art of veganism 🙂
      Hope you got my reply – the idea was brilliant and just let me know before the 19th of May to arrange something 🙂

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  44. Just A Smidgen says:

    I think you’re one of the few who can pull this off! What a challenge.. how did you get this to work out to be cake without any eggs in it?? Amazing!! But I’d expect no less from you!!

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  48. Sammie says:

    wow.. that looks exceptionally delicious!!! Vegan stuff always seem harder to make because of the lack of eggs which contributes largely to its texture. Great job!! This looks so moist and yummy!

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  57. girlinafoodfrenzy says:

    Inspired! Using banana as a substitute was something I’d never thought of before (well obviously I’m not a Vegan) but I can see straight away it adds a wonderful texture just as egg or butter would to the mix, v awesome!!! 🙂

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thanks my friend – the banana was my major change on the recipe and I am so glad I added it – it gives the most amazing moistness that I prefer this to normal chocolate cake 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  58. Simply Tia says:

    You did a fantastic job!!! Your cake is definitely a winner. Truly tempting and appetizing looking. YUMMY!!! Well done with this challenge. I don’t think I can adopt a true vegan lifestyle but I will give one or two of the recipes a whirl. This recipe is going into the pile – the “To Keep/To Try” pile.

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  59. Beth says:

    I baked vegan cookies for my book group a couple of weeks ago, so my vegan friend would have something to eat. I was surprised at how well something could turn out that had no eggs! They were a little fragile but otherwise great, and my family was more than happy to eat the leftovers.

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  63. anna says:

    this looks beautiful! so fudgy and rich, but without so much of the actual stuff that makes me feel guilty! i sometimes love vegan chocolate recipes, because leaving out all the butter and milk and eggs can really give you a purer, richer chocolate taste. or that’s my opinion on it, anyway. i am going to try this!

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      I used that explains why I am eating so much of it without guilt 😉
      You are actually so right – you were getting the full chocolate taste without a doubt 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you my friend – I promise you there was no lack of chocolate cake taste 🙂
      Vegans may be saints but they sure have a good time too 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  69. Sarah (Thyme) says:

    I go to all blogs and don’t mind at all if one is vegan or vegetarian. I get to read and peek into their world without feeling like I am asking embarrassing or uneducated questions. I look at your dessert and I just see…delicious.

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      I understand where you are coming from my friend – sometimes I wonder what to do in substitutions and I find not one but three options on these blogs 🙂
      Thank you very much for enjoying my cake my friend! 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  76. Catalina @ Cake with Love says:

    I eat vegan 80 days a year, and as a vegetarian every Wednesday and Friday because of my religion, so this cake is a winner for me, it looks so rich so decadent, OMG so sinful definitely not for a saint!!Great job, this is one amazing recipe!

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Wow, you have so much awesome will power 😀
      I am very happy then you enjoyed it – thank you so much 😀
      And saints can enjoy themselves without sinning completely 😉

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you so much (vegan food always surprisingly looks amazing without milk and eggs :D)
      I am a vegetarian but vegans are the saints of the world, while I am a chocolate dark side girl 😉

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  80. vegancharlie says:

    So chocolatey….I think I am having a chocolate overdose just looking at it and I am in love! I absolutely have to try this out.

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  83. Jennifer Eloff says:

    Haha! Love the EAT! command. That cake looks like perfection in fudgyness. I understand your reasons for not being vegan. Tough to give up butter or eggs for baking or ice cream at Baskin Robbins. lol

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you so much 😀
      A couple of different diet days is a good idea to try everything – if you make this cake as dessert, I promise no need for dinner 😉
      Too sweet!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  88. Sissi says:

    I couldn’t even become vegetarian, not to mention vegan (and I did try once), but I wouldn’t have anything against a vegan chocolate cake, especially such an appetising one!

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      I am a vegetarian but veganism is way too tough for me – you are brave for trying 😀
      This cake is deifnitely an exception though – thank you 🙂

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  90. The Twenties Team says:

    Wow, this looks absolutely amazing. I, too, am an honorary vegan for the day but I may have go for it a little longer so I have an excuse to make this cake.

    Love your blog! I can’t wait to explore it some more.

    Love, B

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you very much 😀
      And I agree with you – I would be vegan for as long as possible for fudgy cake 😉
      You are very kind!
      Also I appreciate the subscription – I hope you enjoy it!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  91. Food Stories says:

    Thx for posting this … I used to be vegan and I greatly respect the creativity and passion required to be successful … Can’t wait to check these sites out 🙂

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  92. Shira says:

    This dessert looks just incredible! I love the writing in this post too – brought a wide smile to my face! Fabulous recipe and post!! 🙂

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  94. dianeskitchentable says:

    I guess I’m too lazy to be a vegan. It’d be ok except for the meat, the butter, and of course the chocolate. The one I don’t get though is silk? It’s not like you’re eating the silk worms.

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Haha, I definitely know what you mean about veganism 😉
      And they are not allowed to wear silk since it comes from the worms – lols, eating worms 😛

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  98. Anne@FromMySweetHeart says:

    Oh how I admire you for being non vegan, yet willing to challenge yourself with this vegan recipe and jumping into that potluck with both feet! I, on the other hand, would love to DIVE into this chocolate cake! It really looks so rich and fudgy! My hat is off to you….wonderful post! : )

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you so much 😀
      Though because of the potluck, I did indeed get to dive head-first into this cake 😉
      I am sure you would have enjoyed my friend, too sweet!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  100. balvinder ( Neetu) says:

    You just the need the strong will to be vegan which I don’t think everyone has. that’s why only few people opt for it. Yes, I have a very close young relative who is a vegan, it all depends upon personal choice.
    this cake seems like a wonder to me because one of my friend asked me that I should learn to bake vegan but I told her it is difficult by using gluten free flours,now I think I can start with yours. Have a wonderful weekend!

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Honestly vegetarianism is enough to make me happy 😀
      Strong will indeed!
      Thank you so much my friend – I promise you it would not even seem as if this is vegan, even with GF flour 🙂

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  108. cookingactress says:

    lovelovelove! I totally love began stuff when it’s chocolate cake bc…chocolate cake is just delish. end of story!

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  112. Tina@flourtrader says:

    This is great that you have stepped out of the box into the vegan world. I am not vegan but have always been intrigued at the number of delicious looking dessert recipes that are out there in this category. This one here does fall under the delicious looking and you did an awesome job for the first vegan dessert! I so want to taste this-yum!

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  113. Yasmeen @ Wandering Spice says:

    Fudgy deliciousness – very difficult for me to pass up. A friend of mine has been vegan for about 15 years. I admit I doubted her baking skills until she whipped up the most amazing chocolate souffle! So, I have no doubt that this is equally as gorgeous.

    Great idea to do a virtual potluck, too!

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  114. kalamitykelli says:

    This looks like my favorite donut, which I happen to be eating right now for breakfast! As I was reading about your Vegan Potluck, I was very impressed with the pictures but when I read the recipe and found out there was a banana in it (husband’s favorite) I knew I had to try it! I’ll let you know how it goes!!

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Donut for breakfast? I worship your feet 😉
      Thank you so much my friend – I hope you and your husband devour it… I mean… eat it and enjoy it like my family and I did 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  115. Gabby @ the veggie nook says:

    I just want to bury my face in that cake and never some up for air! I’m glad you took on the challenge of making a vegan dessert. It’s so rewarding when they come out even better than a non-vegan one!

    Awesome contribution 🙂

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Haha, that is how I felt when I first tried it 😀
      And you are right – I felt better than if I had eaten a huge chunk of chocolate cake with butter and excess eggs – this had taste and better health 🙂
      Thank you!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  117. Lisa at fLVE says:

    omg, that cake looks so scrumptious! i love vegan desserts. you are so right about vegans being creative. and you, choc chip uru, oh my, love that you incorporate chocolate into almost all your desserts..thanks and i love how moist this cake looks… i may just use your adapted recipe to make the chocolate cake portion of my cupcake this weekend. 🙂

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you my friend 😀
      This cake definitely is moist and VERY chocolatey heaven – I look forward to seeing your cupcakes YUM!
      Oh and when you heat it up, the chocolate chips go all melty 😉

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  118. Ramona says:

    “Sultans of substitutions” … very clever my friend. 🙂 This cake looks simply amaaaaazing! I give credit to anyone vegan or not that can make such a fudgy delight! Well done. 🙂

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  119. Jasline says:

    The cake looks gorgeous! I know I can’t be a vegan, because of my love for meat and cream and cheese… but I would love to try out vegan-free recipes one day, especially this! Absolutely love the chocolate glaze on top!

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you my friend – I know exactly what you mean but I would definitely recommend this 😀
      And the chocolate glaze tastes better than ganache – unbelievable right?

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  121. Starr says:

    Uru, I was really excited to see you were contributing to the potluck. I knew you’d bring something wonderful and Chocolate 😀 Fabulous looking cake!

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  127. Veronica says:

    I’m in awe of vegans as well. They are so creative with the dishes they come up with that uses no animal products, just like this beautiful, delicious cake you made. Well done, Uru! A wonderful entry for the vegan potluck.

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  129. hotlyspiced says:

    I didn’t know vegans don’t wear silk. I thought it was leather they didn’t like to wear. So now I’ve learnt something! What a wonderful idea – a virtual pot-luck! How fun. And your dessert looks incredible. So moist and fudgy and dark and decadent – now that ticks all the boxes! xx

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Silk is made by silkworms so like leather comes from cows, they can’t wear it either – glad to have taught a vegan class 😉
      The potluck was so awesome for sure! Thank you for enjoying my contribution my friend 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  131. Tisa says:

    I’d do a day of vegan for this, Uru 🙂 What an indulgent sweet, even without the dairy or eggs. Those maple cashews look tood, I see a theme with maple syrup in some of your posts- ♥ it. You really do such stellar posts girlie,go ahead and pat yourself on the back. Blessings my friend!

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  133. An Unrefined Vegan says:

    Oh you gorgeous thing!! (the cake looks pretty good, too ;-)!). You outdid yourself! I make thee an Honorary Vegan. If it weren’t nearly 10 pm here, all in my jammies and everything, I’d be in the kitchen making this, Thank you, thank you! Long distance hugs, my friend.

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