Chocolate Devotion Cake

Recently I was asked by a colleague to contribute a unique cake for her daughter's wedding reception. Immediately this recipe came to mind. It's a delicious chocolate-lover's treat that I've made countless times. I perfected the recipe for the wedding of my dear friends Todd and Jeanett in 2003. Even though their wedding was vegan, they wanted a handmade groom's cake. I was happy to lend a hand.

Now, you can make this, too -- but don't wait for a wedding! It's good anytime and not hard to make!

2 ½ cups unbleached flour

1 ½ cups milled natural cane sugar

1 cup cocoa powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon sea salt

dash of ground cinnamon

2 cups unsweetened applesauce

1 cup strongly brewed cold decaf coffee

¾ cup expeller-pressed canola oil

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

½ tablespoon vanilla

1 cup tempered non-dairy dark chocolate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a fluted Bundt pan with baking spray. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, sea salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together applesauce, coffee, oil, vinegar and vanilla.

Slowly add dry mixture until just combined.

Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan. Bake until a probe comes out clean, about 50-60 minutes.

Cool 10 minutes, invert onto a wire rack and cool completely.

To decorate, melt chocolate in a double boiler. Drizzle melted chocolate over cake. Finish with organic, edible flowers, if desired.