Lenten Chocolate Cake

By
Lynn Livanos Athan
Lynn Livanos Athan
First-generation Greek American, Lynn Livanos Athan has published many recipes. She has culinary school training and teaches Greek cooking.
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Updated on 05/31/22
Photo © Lynn Livanos Athan
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 24 servings

A rich and moist chocolate cake recipe that tastes indulgent but still complies with the dietary restrictions of the Lenten season.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 1 cup nuts, chopped, optional
  • Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Steps to Make It

  1. Sift the flour, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt into a mixing bowl and mix using a whisk.

  2. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, vinegar, vanilla extract, vegetable oil, and water. Whisk together until the sugar is dissolved and the wet ingredients are combined.

  3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until incorporated and a smooth batter forms. Mix in the chopped nuts if using.

  4. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

  5. Lightly oil a 9 x 13 baking pan or spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Pour the batter and smooth the top with a spatula.

  6. Bake in a preheated 350 F oven for approximately 45 minutes or until a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

  7. When the cake has cooled, serve with a dusting of confectioners' sugar and enjoy.

Recipe Variation

  • This recipe can also be used to make cupcakes. It will yield approximately 24 regular cupcakes or 48 mini cupcakes. For cupcakes, reduce the baking time to 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
194 Calories
11g Fat
24g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories 194
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g 14%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 279mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Protein 2g
Calcium 20mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)