1 BOWL PUMPKIN CAKE

1 BOWL PUMPKIN CAKE (VEGAN + GF)

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

50 mins

Total time

1 hour

 

Wholesome, naturally sweetened pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting! Vegan, gluten free, and perfect for fall!

Author: Minimalist Baker

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten Free

Serves: 12

Ingredients

CAKE

• 2/3 cup (160 ml) chickpea brine (the liquid in a can of chickpeas // or sub 4 flax eggs*)
• 1 1/4 cup (240 g) coconut sugar (or sub organic cane sugar)
• 1/4 cup (~50 g) ripe banana, mashed (primarily for binding)
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) maple syrup or agave nectar
• 1 1/2 cups (300 g) pumpkin purée
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil, grape seed oil, avocado oil, or melted coconut oil
• 3/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice + more to taste
• 1 cup (240 ml) water or unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups (135 g) gluten-free rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups (168 g) almond flour* (or sub meal with less desirable results)
• 2 1/3 cup (200 g) gluten-free flour blend*

FROSTING optional

• Vegan Buttercream Frosting
• Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and lightly butter/grease two standard 9-inch cake pans. Dust with gluten free flour and and remove excess. Set aside.
2. Add chickpea brine to a large mixing bowl and beat on high for 2-3 minutes until light and airy and loose peaks form. Then add coconut sugar a little at a time and continue beating until light and fluffy and semi-firm peaks form.
3. Add mashed banana, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, oil, sea salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice and beat or whisk to combine (see photo). Add water or unsweetened almond milk and apple cider vinegar and beat/whisk again.
4. Add gluten-free oats, almond flour, and gluten-free flour blend and stir with a wooden spoon or whisk. The batter should be semi-thick but pourable. If too thick add more water or almond milk. If too thin, add more almond flour or gluten free flour blend.
5. Divide between cake pans and bake for 45 minutes - 1 hour, or until deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out completely clean.
6. Remove from oven and let rest in pans until completely cool. Once cooled, gently loosen the sides with a butter knife and use a plate to invert and flip the cakes out of their pans. Transfer to a serving plate or cake stand and frost with desired frosting of choice.
7. If frosting with cream cheese frosting, store in the refrigerator up to 3 days. If frosting with buttercream, store at room temperature up to 3 days. Freeze to keep fresh for up to 1 month (though best when fresh).

Notes

*If not using chickpea brine - which acts as a binder/stiffener in this cake - you can try subbing 4 flax eggs (4 Tbsp flaxseed meal +10 Tbsp water), or 3 small or 2 large chicken eggs if not vegan. I didn't test the recipe with anything other than chickpea brine and thus cannot guarantee the results.
*The almond flour (which is comprised of blanched almonds making it different than almond meal) I would recommend is WellBee's, which can be found on Amazon. You can try subbing almond meal but I haven't tested it that way and cannot guarantee the results. Almond flour gives a drier, fluffier texture that's ideal in this cake.
*For the gluten free blend in this recipe I used Fork and Bean's Light GF blend, but I would think Bob's Red Mill 1:1 GF Baking Blend and my DIY Gluten Free Blend would work well, too! And of course, if you're not gluten free, feel free to sub spelt flour, whole wheat flour, or unbleached all purpose for the gluten free blend.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 of 12 slices without icing.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1 slice (of 12) without icing Calories: 319 Fat: 10.5 g Saturated fat: 0.9 g Carbohydrates: 54.6 gSugar: 30 g Sodium: 282 mg Fiber: 3.8 g Protein: 4.8 g