This ultra fudgy vegan chocolate raspberry cake features moist raspberry syrup-soaked chocolate sponge cake layered in a 2 ingredient fudge frosting. Based off of the Great British Baking Off’s iconic cake in the opening credits, this recipe is a SHOWSTOPPER!

sliced chocolate raspberry cake

Paul Hollywood’s cake, only better

And I’m fully prepared to back that statement. If ever there was a recipe that could help you to gain confidence in your baking skills, enough to enter and even win a baking competition, it’s this chocolate raspberry fudge cake.

Now, for those of you who don’t know, the amazing British baking show, the Great British Baking Off, features this decadent chocolate raspberry cake in the opening credits. It looks downright fudgy and drool worthy, with the silkiest chocolate frosting and topped with fresh raspberries to boot.

sliced chocolate raspberry cake

Well, I decided to recreate this cake, only make it vegan- so no eggs, and no dairy. And I promise you it’s unbelievably so. We’re taking my classic chocolate cake, and making it even richer, infusing the cake with fresh raspberry syrup, and layering it with the most decadent silky chocolate frosting.

I’ve made a lot of cakes in my time (just see my first baking cookbook), and this one is absolutely worthy of a winning handshake.

What does this chocolate raspberry cake consist of?

  • The most luxurious fudgy chocolate cake: The key is Dutch-process cocoa powder. It will yield a more moist, fudgier and more moist texture than all natural cocoa powder or cacao powder. Trust me, one bite, and you’ll KNOW this is the best chocolate cake you’ve ever had.
  • Fresh raspberry syrup: Now what differs between Paul Hollywood’s version and mine is that the sponge layers, once baked, are then soaked in a fresh raspberry syrup. It’s so simple: just raspberries and a touch of maple syrup, and it’s brushed onto the cooled chocolate cake layers for extra moisture and delicious fresh raspberry flavor throughout!
  • 2 ingredient chocolate ganache: My absolute favorite frosting for cakes and cupcakes is this easy 2 ingredient chocolate ganache frosting that tastes like an extra layer of fudge on top of your cake. I recommend Silk vegan heavy cream or Plant Crock- either work! You can also use heavy coconut cream.
slice of chocolate cake on a plate

Overview: How to make this vegan chocolate raspberry fudge cake:

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below. This helps others to find the recipes! As always, I absolutely love to see your beautiful creations on Instagram and Pinterest, so be sure to tag me there as well!

chocolate cake batter
The chocolate cake batter is simple. You’ll whisk the dry ingredients together, followed by the wet ingredients, then combine the two.
chocolate cake baked
Bake and allow the cakes to cool. While the cakes are baking and cooling, you’ll make the raspberry syrup and the ganache.
cake brushed with raspberry syrup
Once cooled, you’ll level the cakes and brush the raspberry syrup on top.
Then frost and decorate with the cooled chocolate ganache and raspberries!

Pro tip: Let everything COOL

The only way to really assemble this cake is if every component is completely cool (or room temperature). If the cake layers are hot, the syrup is still warm, or the ganache is still in liquid form, you’ll have a mess.

That’s why I make the raspberry syrup and ganache while the cake is baking so that everything cools and is ready to be used at around the same time.

For the ganache, I will sometimes pop it into the fridge for 20 minute intervals, stirring between each one and then letting it sit on the counter. This will help the frosting thicken a bit so that it’s spreadable but still soft.

bitten slice of chocolate cake

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If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below. This helps others to find the recipes! As always, I absolutely love to see your beautiful creations on Instagram and Pinterest, so be sure to tag me there as well!

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Unbelievably Vegan Chocolate Raspberry Fudge Cake – Great British Baking Show Inspired!

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Britt Berlin
  • Prep Time: 30
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 15 1x
  • Category: Cake
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This ultra fudgy vegan chocolate raspberry cake features moist raspberry syrup-soaked chocolate sponge cake layered in a 2 ingredient fudge frosting. Based off of the Great British Baking Show’s iconic cake, this recipe is a SHOWSTOPPER!

Ingredients

Scale

Vegan Chocolate Fudge Cake:

  • 1 1/4 cup (300 mL) dairy free milk, room temperature
  • 3 cups (375 g) all purpose flour or gluten free 1:1 baking flour, sifted
  • 1 cup (95 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 3/4 cups (350 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup (110 g) brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (113 g) neutral oil
  • 1 cup (220 g) dairy free yogurt, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 mL) hot water + 1 tsp dissolvable espresso powder (or 1 cup (240 mL) brewed coffee, decaf if desired)

Raspberry Syrup:

  • 1 pint (500g) fresh raspberries, washed
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup

Chocolate Fudge Frosting:

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350F, and line two 8″ cake pans with parchment paper. Measure out all ingredients.
  2. Make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Set aside. In a large bowl and a whisk, whisk the oil, sugar, and brown sugar until integrated.  Then add in the dairy free yogurt and vanilla extract, and whisk again until combined. To the mixture, add in about half of the flour mixture, along with half of the dairy free milk. Whisk gently until the flour starts to combine with the wet. Add in the remaining flour mixture and dairy free milk, and whisk again just before there are no more dry streaks. Slowly pour in the hot coffee, and whisk gently until the coffee has just mixed into the batter.
  3. Bake: Divide the cake batter into the cake pans evenly. Then place into the oven to bake for 35-38 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  4. Cool: Remove the cakes from the oven, and allow them to cool in their cake pans for 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer them to a cooling rack to finish cooling COMPLETELY before assembling the cake.
  5. Make the ganache frosting: Right after you remove the cakes from the oven, prepare the ganache frosting. You’ll want it to cool and set at room temperature for a bit while the cakes are cooling so that it’s spreadable.
  6. Next, make the raspberry syrup: Blend 1 pint of raspberries into a puree. Then pour the puree over a small saucepan with a fine mesh strainer to strain the raspberry puree and remove the seeds. Once the seeds have been removed, add in the maple syrup, stir, and heat the mixture until boiling on medium heat. Then reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, or until it’s thickened just slightly. Pour the syrup into a heat safe container and set aside to cool.
  7. Soak the cake: Once the cake layers, raspberry syrup, and chocolate ganache have cooled, it’s time to brush the syrup onto the cake.  Carefully slice the domed tops off of the cake to level the cake layers. With a pastry brush, brush the raspberry syrup onto the sliced part of the cake, but be careful not to over-soak the layers (this shouldn’t be like when we dunk ladyfingers into espresso for tiramisu- it’s just a brush on top to keep the layers moist and add raspberry flavor!).
  8. Assemble the cake: Place one cake layer onto a cake plate or serving dish, and spread about 1/2 cup of ganache frosting on top. Place the second layer on top and crumb coat the entire cake in the ganache frosting. Place the cake into the fridge to set for 20-30 minutes, then finish with the final coating of ganache frosting. Top with the fresh raspberries on top.
  9. Slice and enjoy! Slice and serve, and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

Gluten free: I recommend using King Arthur measure for measure gluten free flour. It’s amazing in this recipe- I’ve used it several times, and even regular gluten eaters love it!