Boozy Chocolate Cake for Two

It's my friend Katie's birthday this weekend. She's the one that inspired my Pina Colada Cupcakes recipe over a year ago.

This has been the first time in three years that I'm missing her birthday (in person). We live almost seven hours apart right now, and I'm moving an additional seven hours away. We keep in touch with regular phone calls, emails, and cards. She's an amazing friend and I wanted to send her something special for her birthday. 

Yep, that's right -- I'm planning to mail this cake to her and her husband. I found this adorable Pyrex container at Target and I knew that it would be perfect to mail, complete with a cute lid. I imagine it may get jostled, but I've packed it pretty tight.

This recipe makes a single 6 inch cake (with two servings) or two large cupcakes. Yum!

Boozy Chocolate Cake for Two
1/4 c. + 2 T. organic whole wheat pastry flour (or gluten-free baking mix)
2 T. unsweetened cocoa
1/4 c. organic cane sugar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
pinch of baking powder, aluminum-free
pinch of sea salt
1/2 tsp. vinegar
1 1/4 T. coconut oil, melted
2 T. water
2 T. booze, your choice (dark beer or bourbon), or more water

Icing
1/4 c. organic non-hydrogenated shortening, like Spectrum
1/2 c. vegan powdered sugar
2 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 T. water, plus more as needed

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a cake pan with coconut oil (or use parchment cups for cupcakes).

Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle of the bowl.

Have the liquid ingredients measured and ready to go before you start to pour. Pour both the booze/water and vinegar/oil into the well. Stir well.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Insert a toothpick and make sure that it comes out clean. If so, it's ready to come out.

Allow the cake to cool completely.

For the icing: cream the frosting ingredients until it's fudgy and a medium-stiff consistency. Spread or pipe it onto your cake.

You can top it with sprinkles (see my recommendation here) and share it with someone special. I mailed this cake to Katie for her birthday -- I'll let you know if it gets there intact ;-)

Cheers,
-Aileen