If you're looking for a decadent, rich, vegan dessert that is both easy to make and delicious. These creamy chocolate desserts are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Chocolate Torte Recipe
Decadent- This chocolate torte is rich, chocolatey, and indulgent. It's the perfect dessert for when you want to treat yourself or impress your guests.
Great For Special Occasions- Whether you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or any other special occasion, this chocolate torte is sure to be a hit. It's elegant, sophisticated, and delicious.
Easy To Make- Despite its fancy appearance, this chocolate torte is actually quite simple to make. With just a few basic ingredients and some easy-to-follow instructions, you can whip up a rich and creamy chocolate lovers dessert in no time.
A Real Crowd Pleaser- Everyone loves chocolate, and this torte is no exception. Whether you're serving it at a dinner party or bringing it to a potluck, this dessert is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So go ahead and indulge in a slice (or two) of this amazing chocolate torte!
What Is A Torte?
A torte is a type of cake that originated in Europe. It is typically denser and richer than a regular cake and often contains little to no flour. Tortes are usually made with ground nuts or breadcrumbs, which give them a dense texture. They are often layered with buttercream, fruit, or chocolate filling, then you can decorate with nuts, fruit, or whipped cream.
Overall, a torte is a decadent and indulgent dessert that is perfect for special occasions or when you want to treat yourself to something delicious.
Equipment Needed
- Springform Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Small Saucepan
- Stirring Spoon
- Food Processor
- Large Bowl
- Medium Bowl
- Flour Sifter
- Cooling Rack
- Small Microwave-Safe Bowl
Ingredients
For The Cake-Like Torte
Pitted Dates- Dates are a natural sweetener that is high in fiber and essential nutrients. They add natural sweetness and moisture to the recipe.
Coffee Liquor- Coffee liquor, like Kahula, adds a rich coffee flavor to the recipe and can enhance the chocolate flavor.
Instant Coffee Granules- Used to intensify the coffee flavor in the recipe.
Coconut Sugar- Natural sweetener that is less processed than regular sugar. It has a lower glycemic index and contains some essential nutrients.
Almond Milk- A dairy-free milk alternative that adds moisture to the recipe and helps to bind the ingredients together.
Olive Oil- Adds moisture and richness to the cake.
Vanilla Extract- Used to add flavor to the batter and enhances the chocolate flavor.
Whole Wheat Flour- When combined with the wet ingredients, creates the batter for this dairy-free torte.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder- Cocoa powder is the main ingredient that gives the recipe its chocolate flavor.
Baking Soda- Leavening agent that helps the recipe rise and becomes fluffy.
For The Frosting
Vegan Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips- These dairy-free chocolate chips add a rich chocolate boost and a bit of creamy texture to the recipe.
How To Make A Homemade Torte With Vegan Chocolate
For this recipe, I suggest using a springform pan measuring 9 to 10 ¼ inches. I used a 10 ¼-inch one, but if you use the smaller one, your torte will just be a little smaller. Lay a square piece of parchment paper down under the pan and draw a circle around it. Cut the circle out, place it inside the pan, and lightly oil the parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350F
In a small saucepan, add the coffee liqueur and dates. Cook on low heat for about 20 minutes. Once the liquid is hot, stir in the coffee granules. Take the saucepan off the heat and let it cool.
When cool, add it to a food processor and blend until smooth. The mixture doesn't have to be completely smooth, but it should be close.
Next, in a large bowl, mix the pureed date mixture with the coconut sugar, almond milk, oil, and vanilla extract.
Then sift the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda together into a medium bowl. Add the dry mixture to the date mixture and stir until well combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes. Remove the tort in allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove the pan then let it finish cooling on a wire cooling rack.
Now it's time to make the frosting! Melt the chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl for a few seconds, stir, and repeat until the chocolate is melted. Watch the chocolate carefully because it can burn very quickly.
Spread the melted chocolate in the center of the cake in a nice round circle. After the chocolate has cooled a bit, take the back of a spoon and pull it up into pretty little peaks.
Popular Substitutions And Additions
- Use coconut oil, avacado oil, or melted vegan butter in place of olive oil
- Top your torte with vegan whipped cream or coconut cream.
- For a gluten free version, substitute the whole wheat flour for almond flour or another gluten free variety.
- Canned coconut milk, soy milk, oat milk, and vegan cream can all be used in place of almond milk.
- Use fresh berries, like strawberries, blueberries, and fresh raspberries to add some fruit to your treat.
- Add your other favorite toppings, such as chopped nuts, flaky sea salt, shredded coconut, or a drizzle of caramel.
- Maple syrup can be used in place of coconut sugar.
Can You Freeze Vegan Chocolate Tortes?
The short answer to this question is yes, you can freeze tortes with vegan chocolate for up to 3 months! However, there are some important considerations to make before freezing your torte.
When it comes to freezing chocolate tortes, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the type of vegan chocolate used. Chocolate with a higher cocoa content will not hold up as well when frozen and may become brittle or crumbly after thawing. For best results, use semi-sweet or dark chocolate with a lower cocoa content when making your torte. Using full-fat coconut milk also aids in freezing cakes.
In addition, it's important to ensure that your dish is airtight when storing the cake in the freezer. This will help prevent freezer burn and excessive moisture loss during storage. To further protect your dessert from becoming dry or soggy while in the freezer, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap before storing them together in an airtight container. When it comes time to thaw your frozen chocolate torte, remove it from the freezer and allow it to come back up to room temperature before serving or eating.
How long can a chocolate torte be stored?
These homemade tortes with vegan chocolate can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
📋 Recipe
Decadent Vegan Chocolate Torte
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pitted Dates
- 1 cup coffee liquor such as Kahlua
- 2 teaspoons Instant Coffee Granules
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 1 cup almond milk
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
For the Frosting!
- ½ cup melted Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- You need a Springform Pan that measures 9" to 10-¼". I used a 10-¼" one. The torte will just be taller if it is smaller.
- Cut a circle to fit inside the springform pan. The way I do this is that I lay the springform pan insert on the parchment paper and draw around the edge. Then I cut right inside of the line.
- Place the parchment round inside the springform pan. Brush the paper lightly with some coconut oil.
- In a small saucepan add the coffee flavored liqueur and the dates. Cook over low heat for 20 minutes.
- Stir in the instant coffee granules when the liquid is hot.
- Take off heat and let cool.
- When cooled - puree in a food processor until smooth. It does not have to be completely smooth but very close.
- In a large bowl mix the pureed date mixture, coconut sugar, almond milk, oil and vanilla.
- In another bowl sift the flour, cocoa and baking soda together.
- Stir into the date mixture until well mixed.
- Pour into the prepared springform pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.
- If you use a smaller pan, like 9", you should go to the 40 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Remove the sides of the pan and let cool on a rack.
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave for a few seconds. Stir and heat in the microwave a few more seconds. Keep a very close eye on the chocolate because it can burn.
- It does not have to be completely melted because the chocolate will continue to melt in it's own heat as it sits a minute.
- Spread the chocolate in the center of the top of the cake in a nice circle.
- After the chocolate cools a bit - take a spoon and with the back of the bowl - tap the chocolate and pull up into little peaks. They will hold themselves up.
julia
This Decadent Chocolate Torte looks wonderful! You can't go wrong with chocolate!
Rebecca {Foodiewithfamily}
WOW! That's all I can say. This looks wonderful!
Margaret Bruno-Metzger
Um...this looks DIVINE! Love all the ingredients and I bet it tastes amazing. Defiantly saving this recipe for a special occasion 🙂
Michelle @ My Gluten-free Kitchen.com
Oh Ginny, those pics are beautiful and make me want to just reach right through the screen to steal a slice! WOW!!
Ricki
This looks absolutely amazing!! I love that you used coconut sugar, too. I bet my hubby would love this--healthy AND indulgent. 🙂
Sheri
I don't drink coffee or alcohol but would love to make this. Are there substitutes?
Ginny McMeans
Hi Sheri, I am so sorry but I don't have a solution for you. You see coffee gives chocolate deeper flavor. You could leave out the little bit of instant coffee but the coffee flavored liquor is the problem. You can make a non-alcoholic Kahlua but it is made with coffee. 🙁
Melissa @ Nourish By Melissa
YUMMMMM! Looks incredible 🙂
Paula
Now that does look decadent!! gimme gimme! pinned!
Brita Denison
OMG. I just baked this cake for my mom's birthday... still standing in the kitchen eating it and it's absolutely amazing! So chocolatey. So moist and rich. It's a hit! Everyone loves it and is marveling over the recipe. Thanks so much! Love your blog -B
Ginny McMeans
That is so fantastic Britta. I am glad that you tried it because you just can't believe how good it is until you eat it. Thanks for letting me know!
dina
the icing looks amazing!
Prash @ YummilyYours
It looks fantastic! I am so making this one!
Debi
This looks so wonderful! Are the semi-sweet chocolate chips dairy-free? What do you think could be substituted for the coconut ingredients (allergic to coconut).
Sarah
What brand liqueur find you use? I thought kahlula wasn't vegan
Ginny McMeans
Yes, you need to buy the dairy free vegan chocolate chips at natural food stores or on the internet. Enjoy Life is one. You can use any oil you like instead of the coconut oil. Sugar can be used (not sugar cane to keep it vegan).
Ginny McMeans
Hi Sarah, Kahlua does have sugar. Kahlua says their regular coffee liqueur is vegan so I believe the sugar ingredient is made from beets not sugar cane. I make my own coffee liqueur (really easy) so I use that. I am putting it on the blog soon so you could make your own and control the ingredients. I will link it in this recipe.
Marcie French
Hi, looks great! One small question, What type of dates should be used ? Some are sweetened,some are dry dates, can you give me a hint ? I don’t think I will be able to find th e coconut sugar, what can I use as a substitute for ? Cant wait to try it ! Thanks
Deborah
Hi Ginny, this looks absolutely amazing, got to make it asap! Is it possible to use a gluten free flour instead such as buckwheat? Thanks
Megan
What about decaf coffee granules? I don't drink caffeine and that's what I use.
Tiarn
Looks yummy! If I wanted to make this gluten free, what flour would you recommend? Is it a 1:1 ratio for a gluten free flour? Ta!
Ginny McMeans
The easiest way is to buy a gluten free flour mix that matches whole wheat flour 1:1. I think all grocery stores have that now. If you want to mix your own - this mix matches 1 cup of whole wheat flour; 1/4 cup soy flour, 1/4 cup tapioca flour, 1/2 cup brown rice flour and 1 teaspoon Xanthum Gum or Guar Gum.
Amanda
This cake looks amazing. I would really like to use it as a birthday cake but my boyfriend is an alcoholic.
Do you think I could leave out the liquor?
Ginny McMeans
Yes, you don't need the liquor. A strong cup of coffee with a touch of cocoa powder will do the trick. Make sure it is not over a cup measure when you add it to the cake. He will love it!
Ginny McMeans
Yes, decaf would be great. It is for enhancing the richness of the chocolate flavor.
Ginny McMeans
Thank you so much. I used Deglet but Medjool would be great too. They are the so called dried pitted ones but they still have a lot of sticky moisture in them. Regular granulated sugar works great too.
Ginny McMeans
Yes, the buckwheat flour substitution is 7/8 cup equals 1 cup whole wheat.
Tiarn
Thank you 🙂
Sarahbenz
This came so perfectly amazing!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!
I used water instead of liquor because we dont drink it at all, and homemade chocolate on top YUUUMMMMMMM!!!!!!
Ginny McMeans
Fantastic Sarah! That is wonderful that it turned out with water too and I think homemade chocolate is always the best. Thanks for making it!
peter
I made this last night for guests and it was a huge hit. I did made a few changes - olive oil instead of coconut oil, self-raising wholemeal flour, and a cup of espresso coffee and a splash of rum essence instead of the instant coffee and kahlua. Very happy guests.
Ginny McMeans
That is fantastic Peter! You sound like an excellent cook and I am glad you took control and changed some ingredients to meet your needs. It sounds great!
Melissa
This looks amazing! I bet this would be the perfect remedy for PMS!....I must try it! Lol!
Tiffany @ A Kitchen Fable
Hi, I'm in the midst of making this and I was wondering if the coconut oil is to be melted or not?
Thanks.
Ginny McMeans
Yes, liquid form. Sorry about that. I live in the dessert and even in winter my coconut oil is liquid. 🙂
Chryso
Thank you vor sharing this recipe! It is very easy to make! I made yesterday. We all liked it and I already forwarded the recipe to my sister and 2 friends.
Jackie Garvin
I love that you added coffee. It gives Chocolate such a rich flavor.
Marie
I've died and gone to chocolate heaven! This looks amazing. Love that you added coffee to the torte too; it makes the chocolate flavours so intense and rich.
Brian Jones
Yowser won't you look at that a real chocolate lovers treat!
Cindy Rodriguez
People always say vegan baking is so hard to do but this looks absolutely delicious. I'm going to have to try this.
Nicola @ Happy Healthy Motivated
Oh my goshhh.... I can't get over how incredible that looks! Love how you've made it lighter with almond milk and coconut sugar, too. I think this might just be my Christmas Eve treat!
Dinna
Any way to sub out the oil?
Ginny McMeans
I haven't tried it with this torte Dinna but 2 tablespoons applesauce should substitute for 1/4 cup oil. Please let me know if this works for you.
Mary Anne
For us non-drinkers, what can we substitute for the coffee liquor?
Ginny McMeans
Yes, you don’t need the liquor. A strong cup of coffee with a touch of chocolate extract or some chocolate syrup will do the trick. Make sure it'ss not over a cup measure when you add it to the cake.
John
Can you see a way to including oil-free recipes? I have a lot of commitments and don't usually have a lot of time to experiment with replacement options...
Martin
This is the BEST Chocolate Cake/Torte ever we love it so much and already tried varities.
But is it possible to use peanut butter? I'm not sure how or instead of what..,
Kindly regards
Martin
Julie
This cake was so delicious. It was actually fun to make too because of all of the unusual ingredients.
Pris
I don't have access to dates 😣 is there anything I can use in place of that? I need to make this deliciousness!
Ginny McMeans
I think dried cherries would be the closest substitution Pris. Dates would absolutely be the best though. Can you order them through the Internet?