Ingredients
1 cup neutral oil, such as canola, plus more for pans
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups granulated sugar
4 teaspoons instant espresso powder
4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup apple-cider vinegar
1/2 cup margarine
3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
2 tablespoons dairy-free soy creamer
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (1 cup)
1 tablespoon golden syrup or brown rice syrup
1/3 cup dairy-free soy creamer
Preparation
Cake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly brush two 8-inch round cake pans with oil; set aside.
Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and granulated sugar into a large bowl. In a small bowl, dissolve espresso powder in 2 cups warm water; whisk in oil and vanilla. Whisk wet ingredients into dry mixture until well incorporated. Quickly whisk in vinegar. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake until a tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes, then invert cakes onto a wire rack and let cool completely.
Icing: in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat margarine on medium speed until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar, espresso powder, soy creamer, and vanilla; beat until smooth, 30 seconds more. Beat in cooled chocolate; set aside.
Trim tops of cakes flat. Place a cake layer on a cake plate. Spread 1 1/2 cups icing evenly over it (reserve remaining icing for another use). Top with second cake layer, cut-side down.
Ganache: Place chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring golden syrup and soy creamer to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate. Let stand 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Pour ganache over cake, allowing it to drip down sides. Let stand at room temperature until set, at least 15 minutes.
