This Layers of Love Cake is about so much more than the layers in the cake. Although speaking strictly from a dessert point of view, the layers make it pretty special and especially delicious!

I made this cake a few days ago when I desperately needed to wrap myself up in creating something new in the kitchen to take my mind off the rest of the world. I craved something to focus on, for a distraction.

Therapy baking is my coping skill

Everybody knows that to celebrate a big event (or a small accomplishment), a special dessert is a great way to do it! So we have birthday cake or anniversary, retirement, fill-in-the-blank milestone cakes. There’s also cookie treats for good grades, or job promotions, and all sorts of other happy reasons.

But I’ve found, for me, dessert-making can take a bad thing and make it a little bit better. I’m sure there are all kinds of examples why food shouldn’t be associated with making ourselves feel better. We should go for a walk or treat ourselves to something special like a manicure, massage, or whatever. And those are great ideas and a very sound philosophy to live by.

However, I still always gravitate to the kitchen whenever I am in need of a diversion or some cheering up. Because we all need to refocus at times, and this works for me.

Layers of Love Cake for the infinite layers of love for family.

Now I’m going to try to tell you why I made this dessert the other night, if I can get through it without sobbing over my keyboard. (Because we know that means I will have to head back into the kitchen again for another distracted baking session!)

My youngest son is leaving home.

And, I have been through it three times before when my two daughters and another son left home for college and career moves. I shed a ton of tears each time they left. Yet I knew it would be okay because if they needed to, they could always come home.

But my “baby” is joining the military.

And that’s it. I can’t even say any more than that without falling to pieces.

Lots of baking in my future

So, my son ships off into his future in a couple of days, therefore, my future is easy to predict. I will be spending ungodly amounts of time in the kitchen.

Distraction, distraction, distraction.

(Along with much time spent asking my Echo Dot, “Alexa,” to play my playlists.) “Alexa, NOT Chicago Pandora Radio, Sheryl Crow Radio Station! Chicago doesn’t even sound remotely like Sheryl Crow!”

….”Alexa, I’m sorry for yelling at you.”

Sad.

The good news is, I will be adding many new creations to this site for your consideration. I hope to be as successful as the imaginative protagonist Jenna was, with her homemade pies, in the film The Waitress. Her delicious and creatively named pies were the lemonade to her lemon of a marriage. (That film is a Broadway play now, too! Note to self: buy tickets!)

So, Crazy Named Desserts, anyone?

When I return to the website with recipes named Tearful Tiramisu or Crying a River Rainbow Cakes, you’ll understand, right? (I think I have a recipe called Depression Cake, but that was from the Great Depression era. But that could still work here too!) 😉

Anyway, need to get it together, put on a brave face, and tighten up my apron strings! When my amazing son is allowed to receive postal packages after boot camp, he is going to be finding a lot of dessert creations with his name on them.

That’s my modus operandi.

And when my “Zook” shares his many cookie care packages with the other recruits, I’ll be happy knowing The Hamptons Vegan’s Desserts may bring a smile to others, too. Finding a purpose helps. 🙂

Can’t wait to send some of these:

© thehamptonsvegan 2017-2025 all rights reserved

thehamptonsvegan

Layers of Love Cake

Layers of love cake for the ones you love (including you!)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 9

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

chocolate cake layer

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup cold water or coffee
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 tablespoons vinegar

chocolate pudding layer

• 1 1/2 cup non dairy chocolate chips
• 12 ounces extra firm silken tofu like mori nu brand drained
• 3 tablespoons soymilk or 1/4 cup coffee
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

whipped cream layer

• 1 1/2 cups non dairy whipped topping like so delicious cocowhip

Method

 

1. For Cake Layer:

   1. Grease an 8-inch cake pan, dust with a little flour or cocoa, and set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

   2. Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

   3. Combine vegetable oil, water (or coffee), and vanilla.

   4. Add liquid to dry mix. Mix batter until smooth.

   5. Add vinegar, stir to combine, and pour immediately into prepared pan, then put into preheated oven.

   6. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the cake, tested with a toothpick, comes out clean.

   7. Cool on a wire rack

   .For Pudding Layer:

   1. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 15-30 seconds until just melted. Stir to finish melting the chocolate. ( Or place chocolate chips in a metal bowl over a pan of low-simmering hot water to melt.)

   2. In a high-speed blender, combine tofu, soymilk (or coffee), maple syrup, vanilla, and melted chocolate. Blend for 1-2 minutes until mixture is smooth and incorporated, scraping down sides to blend well.

   3. Spread evenly atop cooled cake and chill a bit, then top with an even layer of whipped topping before serving.

   *Sprinkle with chocolate chips, raspberries, shaved chocolate, or all three! 🙂

Notes

super easy vegan chocolate pie

*****BONUS*******

The pudding layer can be made on its own and then spooned into a graham cracker (or traditional) pie crust for a deliciously easy chocolate pie. Top with whipped topping. 

*****OR!**********

Make pudding and spoon into fancy wine glasses between layers of whipped topping! So versatile!

L