Double Chocolate Mini Bundt Cake with Fresh Raspberries

Today is a special day for our family. It was our firstborn son Oliver's birthday. We are blessed with two living children, but sadly he died six years ago on his due date. He was born still.

While it is a day which brings back memories of deep sorrow, today we focus on the precious gifts he bestowed upon us. Our family has learned to live each day to the fullest, appreciate each other, and treat others gently during trying times.

Since our children are little, they associate birthdays with cake, so each year we make one in Oliver's honor. We go to Westwood Nature Center to visit his memorial bench, and read stories from books our family has donated there. It is our way of acknowledging and remembering his life.

If you have children, be they furry or not, give them a kiss and hug today. Snuggle up and enjoy the moment. These times are the highlights of our days.

The cake was made using the wacky/crazy cake recipe. I haven't tried it with a full size bundt cake yet, but it worked well for four mini ones.

Double Chocolate Bundt Mini Cake


3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1/3 cup cocoa powder
2 cups water
2 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat pans with a layer of shortening sprinkled with flour or baking spray. Sift together dry ingredients. Add in wet ingredients, and mix until just combined.

Fill pan 2/3 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool ten minutes, and then flip out of the pan.

Chocolate Glaze


1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 powdered sugar
2-3 Tbsp. chocolate soy/coconut/almond/hemp milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Whisk together ingredients until it has the consistency of thick syrup. If it is too runny, add another tablespoon of powdered sugar, and if too thick add a little more non-dairy milk. Drizzle over the cake and add fresh washed raspberries in the middle.

Raspberry Lemonade Smoothie for your Vegan Valentine

Our eldest can't get enough lemonade, and the youngest raspberries. I took both of them and put them together. They slurped it right up (literally they are still little).

You could add some flax meal or chia seeds to up the protein content of the smoothie if you so desire. This was our answer to sweet tooth dessert requests.


Raspberry Lemonade Smoothie


1 10 oz. bag of frozen organic raspberries
1/2 cup almond milk
1 6 oz. cup of vanilla yogurt
Juice of two meyer lemons
1-2 Tbsp. agave nectar (optional)

Why Meyer lemons? They are a bit sweeter and in season right now. During other times of the year it would be fine to substitute. Tomorrow I am making some vegan chocolates. Stay tuned!

And the Winners of Gardein Contest Are....

My husband kept asking if he could enter the giveaway, and while we'd both love to win, obviously that couldn't happen. He's got his eyes on some of their new products.

In the meantime, Gardein is having their own contest, and I highly recommend you go enter.

Yesterday we had a nice time chowing on chunkamole, Crisp Seven Grain Tenders, and spicy hummus. I had grand plans for making all this delicious food to share, but went and got sick the day before. I'll spare you the details and get down to the business at hand.

And the two lucky winner are (drum roll)................Rachael and Michele P.

They both won three free product coupons and a "Cheat on Meat" t-shirt. I've contacted them for their addresses, and unless I don't hear from them by Saturday, February 11th, the giveaway is officially closed. Otherwise I'll use my handy dandy random number generator to select a new winner.

Right now, Circle of Moms is running a top 25 Vegetarian and Vegan Mom Blogs. I'd be ever so grateful if you supported me there. There is no need to sign up for anything.

My Vegan Valentine's Gift

What better way to show you care, than to prepare a special dessert or meal for your loved one(s). Over the past few years, I've always made different treats for my family. Strawberries are the perfect way to naturally color and better yet, flavor Valentine treats.

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

Strawberry Almond Iced Sugar Cookies

Strawberry Iced or Powdered Donuts

It's time to break out of the strawberry fixation, and move on to raspberries or something else pink/red. I've made truffles for vegan bake sales before. This year, I'll make them for my family and friends. That or a raspberry chocolate tart. Oh, it is hard to decide. We definitely don't need both around.