Today I’d like to talk about At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen, a book I’ve been cooking from non-stop since getting my copy. You may be familiar with author Amy Chaplin’s work through her beautiful blog, where she shares some of the most practical and creative natural foods recipes around. As for her cookbook, I feel as if anything I say about it will be an understatement: it’s wise and useful beyond words, as well as visually stunning, with photography by Johnny Miller. The book’s vastness and wealth of fascinating recipes and tips has me reaching for it daily.
Some of the dishes I’ve made include Cherry Coconut Granola, Cauliflower and Celery Root Soup, Eggplant Curry, Almond Butter Brownies, Chocolate Hazelnut Layer Cake.
To complete my love serenade for Amy’s book, I made this decadent cake. I played with the original recipe a bit, making the ganache white, while Amy’s is chocolate. I also added chocolate into the batter, while the original recipe only calls for cacao. I also previously made the original one and loved it as well.
Amy and I share the same publisher, and the nice people at Roost Books were generous to send me an additional copy of At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen to give away. To enter, leave a comment here until December 14th, 2014. Good luck to all!
Double Chocolate Layer Cake with White Chocolate Ganache, Tart Cherries and Pomegranate
Notes: In the original version, Amy frosts the entire cake with dark chocolate ganache. She crushes 1 1/3 cups toasted hazelnuts and presses them into sides of the cake like this.
for the ganache
2 13.5 oz cans unsweetened full fat coconut milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
5 tablespoons agar flakes
pinch sea salt
3 1/2 oz white chocolate, I used this brand (you can use dark chocolate as per original version)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
for the cake
2/3 cup toasted hazelnuts (original version calls for 2 cups)
2 cups whole spelt flour – divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1/2 cup melted extra virgin coconut oil, plus more for oiling the pan
1 1/2 cups maple syrup
1 teaspoon unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup chopped dark chocolate (my addition to original recipe)
for the filling (my simplified version)
cocoa nibs – optional
frozen or canned tart cherries – thawed/drained well
1 large pomegranate
to make the ganache
1. Whisk together coconut milk, maple syrup, agar flakes and salt in a medium pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, whisk often. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, covered, whisking every 5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat, add chocolate and let it melt for 2 minutes in the covered pot. Whisk until smooth. Pour into a shallow bowl and allow to cool until it stops steaming. Put in the refrigerator for about 2 hours, or until cold and completely hard.
3. Roughly cut ganache into 1-inch pieces and add to a food processor with orange juice and vanilla. Blend until smooth, scraping down sides as necessary. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until cake is ready for frosting.
to make the cake
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Oil cake pans and line bottom of each with a parchment paper. (I used 7 1/2-inch spring form to bake 3 layers. Original recipe calls for two 8-inch layers.)
2. Add 2/3 cup of hazelnuts and 1/4 cup of spelt flour into a food processor and grind finely. Transfer into a medium bowl and sift in remaining 1 3/4 cups spelt flour, baking powder and baking soda. Stir to combine well, set aside.
3. Whisk cocoa powder and boiling water until smooth in another medium bowl. Add ground flax seeds, coconut oil, maple syrup, vinegar, vanilla and salt, whisk until thoroughly combined.
4. Add flour mixture to liquid ingredients and whisk to make a smooth batter. Fold in chopped chocolate. Divide the batter between prepared pans and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
to assemble the cake
1. Invert first layer on a cake stand or a plate. Remove parchment paper. Cover with a layer of tart cherries. Scoop 1/3 of ganache on top of cherries, even it out. sprinkle with cocoa nibs (if using) and pomegranate kernels.
2. Invert second layer on top, remove parchment paper. Repeat with cherries, ganache, cocoa nibs and pomegranate.
3. Invert third layer on top. Frost with the last 1/3 of ganache and top with pomegranate kernels. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve, try to wait at least a couple hours before cutting the cake; overnight is great too.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This is one positively lovely cake. I mean, those seeds!! They brighten this beautifully.
Debby says
That is both the most beautiful cake…and plate presentation that Ive ever seen. (I haven’t baked from scratch in years.Will now!) Would adore a copy of the cookbook. :D
Kerianne Taves says
Would love to win a copy to give away as a Christmas present! I LOVE this cookbook :)
Irina says
Bookmarked this recipe! My parents are visiting me here in NYC over Christmas and this would be a perfect holiday dessert!
Nicki says
This is gorgeous! Your variations sound as good as the original recipe! The book sounds like a beauty that I’d love to have too.
Danielle says
Love love! Looks divine! I’d love to win a copy of this cookbook!
Joana from My Gut Feeling says
Thank you for sharing! I´m on the lowFODMAP diet (no dairy, no wheat, baley and rye) and this is a recipe I can try :) Looks amazing!
Maya says
I love the recipes from Amy’s website and would love to have her cookbook!
Shannon says
Looks incredible, would love to try out some other recipes from the cookbook.
Kimberly/TheLittlePlantation says
I’m in love with this cake! It’s gorgeous. I’ LOVE a copy of the book, though am base in the UK, so not sure if I still qualify.
Valerie says
This is so gorgeous! Beautiful work. I think that this cookbook would be a great new resource in my kitchen and I would love to win it!
Ida says
The cake looks amazing–I’ll be sure to try it on a wintery evening that’s meant for baking!
Kat says
Pomegranate seeds should go in EVERYTHING! And coconut milk too.. I’m drooling over here.
Chloé says
wow! that cakes looks fantastic :)
Monika says
Wow, just the thought of the combination of the juicy pomegranate seeds and the coconut creamy layer is going to make me dream about the cake tonight! and since it’s my birthday next week, I’m also going to share the recipe with my friends and family to increase the chances that someone bakes it for me :)
Adrienne says
I just discovered Amy Chaplin this past week and have begun exploring her blog. She’s doing some great things!
annaliese says
This cake looks delicious! The pomegranate seeds look lovely with the white chocolate ganache!
Sheryl says
That is absolutely striking! I love the colors. Did you make the original version and this version? Which one did you prefer?
Ellie says
Absolutely stunning cake! The colour contrasts are amazing and I can only imagine it tastes as good as it looks.
Lauren says
Everything you make with pomegranates is absolutely beautiful! I’d love to give this cookbook to my mom as a Christmas present!
sonja says
This looks delicious, a perfect cake for this season -thanks for sharing!:)
myriam | rhubarb! rhubarb! rhubarb! says
this cake is decadent, christmassy, and those little pomegranate seeds just gleam like jewels in the frosting. i love everything amy does on her website, so thank you for sharing this recipe!
Lauren says
I’ve never visited Amy Chaplin’s blog – I’m so happy you linked to it! I’ve bookmarked several things to make this week. Now I’ll definitely have to check out her book.
Abby says
I’m on such a pomegranate kick lately and with my birthday coming up this month, this is definitely going to be how I treat myself :D What a prize this gorgeous cookbook would be! Love both your blogs!
Melinda Baker says
Have heard so much about this book and would absolutely love a copy!!! Really getting to whole food cooking and loving it! Thank you for your beautiful blog! :-)
Katka says
This is art, not cooking and baking but art! Everything you do is so beautiful. Would love to win this wonderful book too.
Martie says
Wow, this cake looks amazing! I like that Amy´s cookbook doesn´t follow a special diet or lifestyle but focusses on whole food in general. Since I am planning to update my eating and cooking habits, this would come quite in handy!
Have a lovely Sunday!
xo
Danielle Rozeboom says
Wow, this cake looks so delicious! <3
Love the photography, as always.
Since I'm a cookbook addict I would love to make a chance to win this book :-)
Love
Danielle
Hilary says
Everywhere I turn I hear about this wonderful book, it sounds like a dream come true! Your cake is just beautiful, I love the contrast of the red/white/chocolate :)
Veronika says
Looks perfect! I will try to replace coconut milk with smth like cashew or even buckwheat creme. And I hope to win a copy of Amy’s book!
Egle says
Wow, I’ve never been much into baking, but this just might change it… Especially love the tart cherries as a filling!
Shannon says
Absolutely gorgeous cake! Thanks for offering the giveaway.
Anna says
This cake looks amazing!! I have cravings for chocolate lately and looking for interesting recipes to try. Thank you for inspiration!
Céline says
Beautiful!
This cake makes me think of the German Schwartzwald or French Forêt Noire. Looks delicious!
Lina says
wow, that just looks incredibly delicious and her other recipes sound mouthwatering as well :)
Heather says
A seriously gorgeous, towering cake. Love the different hues of red — very festive!
Sophie says
Mmm… Looks so good! Perfect for the five market fresh pomegranates I bought in excitement at the weekend… Plus a healthy, festive cake suitable for convincing those dinner partty invites not sharing in my healthy foods philosophy!!
Yoojin says
the cookbook looks beautiful and this cake sounds amazing! would love to see more of the recipes :)
Katrina Lane says
The white ganache looks so striking against this beautiful cake, and those pomegranate arils look like little gemstones on top of it! Love it!
Kyle Plattner says
This looks so delightful. We would so appreciate your cookbook!
Calli says
This looks divine!
Bradley Meilinger says
Looks like a great addition to my small collection so far. Pretty cake and a pretty, homey book!
Nicole says
Brilliant recipe and luscious pictures as usual! My birthday is a week after Christmas and I think this will have to be my cake. This cookbook has been my much desired wish and I would love a chance to win!
Natalia says
what a beautiful and delicious looking cake!!!
tiff says
My goodness, that cake looks almost too good to eat!
Margaux says
That looks SO good – rich and decadent! I just love your photography – you work so well with bursts of colour against stark backgrounds. The frosting is calling out to me from the page – yum!
Is this competition open internationally? I would love a cookbook to add to my meager collection – the few I have are half battered from use and it’s always a thrill to page through crisp pages and want to make everything all at once!
Vicki Bensinger says
This cake is stunning as are your photos. I’ve never had a cake with Pomegranates on it before. Very pretty!
Christine says
Beautiful! Thanks for the giveaway :)
Eva says
Loving all of your recipes, this one looks like a great one with Christmas time. Think I’ll give it an attempt and see what my family thinks :)
The cookbook would be great too, to experiment with ALL of your recipes.
Michele says
Wow, what a gorgeous cake. All your postings are so beautiful.
Iryna says
As always, your photos are mouthwatering and your creations are inspiring to run to the kitchen and try it myself. Thank you! :-)
Ali @ Farmers Market Vegan says
Thanks for the beautiful recipe and giveaway! Excited for the chance to win. :)
Ana @ The Awesome Green says
I love this recipe and your photos are so beautiful!
Saniel says
Can’t wait to make this when my parents come in town for holidays.Thanks
Aurélie says
I love the idea of a coconut cream + white chocolate frosting! The cake is gorgeous.
Irene says
What a masterpiece this cake is! Can’t wait to show it to my baker sister so she can try a new recipe!
Julia says
I will definitely try this recipe as I try to eat less dairy.
Thank you for you creative and inspiring blog!
Natalia M says
Wow, this is beautiful and I’m dire very decadent! I’ve been looking for a tecipe for a good birthday cake for myself, this might be the one! Yes I make my own birthday cake, and I can make it as healthy as I want..healthier :)
Laura says
What a beautiful cake. Would be great for a holiday party. Thank you for your blog.
Carol says
the cake loves amazing and tasty.
Carol says
*looks
Laura says
This cake is on my list now!!!
I’ve promised myself not to buy any more cookbooks this year, but I would definitely love to win one ;)
Jeana Sward says
I love this cake and the cookbook looks amazing!
Clara says
Hi, I already have your book and would live to have Amy’s as well. Beautiful pictures!!
Ann Hough says
So inspiring – that cake looks decadent! Have to get a copy of that recipe book some how!
Heidi Hess says
A twist on Black Forest Cake. Sounds delicious!
Mary says
It looks delicious! I love the tart cherries and pomegranate seeds, they’re so festive looking.
Brittany says
The cake looks so refreshing. I would love to try this, my husband loves pomegranates, but I don’t think he’s ever had it in a cake. Yum!
Maddie says
I love how gorgeous the cake is, and there is no white flour used! Go whole foods :)
Natalia says
OMG, how good it looks! I will have to try it soon!
cheri says
The pomegranates look enticing.
hueyl@bellsouth.net says
I have been looking into vegan. paleo. whole food eating for the last year and this looks like a good book to use. Cake looks decadent.
Elizabeth says
What a beautiful cake and wonderful photos! My birthday is this month and I think it would be a fabulous cake to make in celebration. :)
Thank you!
Lou says
Hi! I’d love to participate, but where do we have to live to do so? I live in France, is it ok?
If it is, I’d be more than happy to try my luck! Thanks for the opportunity :)
Lou
Alisha Ford says
What a beautiful cake!!
Evan says
The cake sounds delicious, but it is also quite a show-stopper studded with those pomegranate seeds and creamy icing. I can’t wait to make one like it.
Blandine says
This cake looks absolutely devine!
I would love to discover Amy’s book, thanks for organising the give-away :)
Ashleigh Monaco says
This cake is absolutely GORGEOUS; those pomegranate seeds, the layers, wow, just stunning.
Fiore says
OMG, it looks just perfect! I will try it for sure these days!
K. Ann Harvey says
A beautiful cake! My collection of plant-based cookbooks gives me such joy and I would love to add this book to my collection! Love her blog, too!
Sarah Pardee says
This cake looks so delicious and gorgeous! I’d love to bake more with whole grains.
Katy Taylor says
beautiful and her cookbook sounds like a keeper!
Amy @FragrantVanillaCake says
This cake is simply beautiful, I love the combination of chocolate and pomegranate seeds! I would love to win this book!
Adia Taliaferro says
Wow! This cake looks soooooo scrumptious!. I would absolutely love, love, love to have this book :) I love to cook and bake and am trying to build cookbook collection. From the looks of that cake I know i would have good time making dishes from it:). Love all of your posts :)
Delia says
OMG, it looks so good! Thanks for this giveaway!
Aysegul says
I have been wanting this book since the day it came out. This cake is nothing, but perfection. Thanks for sharing!
Aleksandra says
I have both of your books and I’m so inspired by both of you. I think great minds think alike. Your Interpretation of the cake is stunning!
Bartek says
Beautiful picture! I love the pomegranate seeds sitting on top, ready to be dropped onto each slice. Wonderful :)
thefolia says
Almost too festive to eat…almost! Happy Nesting.
Jen says
Mmm! That cake looks so yummy. I would love to try my hand at making this for Christmas.
Cady says
Pomegranate perfection!
Chelsea The Naked Fig says
This looks incredible. It would make a perfect Christmas cake! Beautiful!
Michelle says
I really want to make her butternut squash lasagna with tofu ricotta!
Meghan says
This cake is just stunning. And the ingredients! White chocolate, maple, orange, hazelnut.. it’s truly a work of art, both Amy’s recipe & your photography.
Susi Brust says
What a fabulous cake! I would love a copy of the cookbook! Susi
Hannah Gravett says
wow, that looks amazing. I’m signing up for her blog now!
heather says
This cake looks amazing.
heather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com
Justyna says
How decadent! Scanning the ingredients, it appears incredibly wholesome. A must try for me.
Sonia says
The cake is stunning with the pomegranate…and so perfect for Christmas!
Hamrecycling says
Such an amazing looking cake!! Looks indescribable as it is tasty! The Cherries and Pomegranate probably taste fantastic with the double chocolate.
Iris says
This cake looks wonderfully decadent and delicious, I will deifinitely try this!! Makes me very curious to see all the other recipes in the book!
Yoanna says
SOOOOO PRETTY! <3
http://www.aboutfoood.com
Jen says
This cake looks beautiful and may be a contender for Christmas dessert! I’ve heard about Amy non-stop from all my favorite bloggers and would love a copy of her book!
Lauren K. says
I love pomegranate seeds but haven’t tried them with chocolate before – looks delicious!
chanti says
YUM.
Ashley Mauceri says
Beautiful photos! Thanks for the giveaway.
nadya kotik says
I love your creativity and your daughter’s photography. I’m Ukrainian and love to find blogs by people from Eastern Europe!
Anna says
The cake is looking delicious! I read so many reviews on the cookbook. It’d be great to try to cook with it:)
Catherine says
A perfect Christmas cake and Christmas giveaway! Beautiful photo and would love to have the cookbook.
Samantha says
This cake looks absolutely lovely! Can’t wait to take a look at the other recipes in this book.
Sonja says
Looks scrumptious. Would be fun to try both your version And the original at the same time. :-)
mobius says
Stunning, dazzling, sensational, smashing!
Beautiful, decadent, wholesome, dashing!
Dearest cookbook, if I win this time,
On my holiday table you will shine!
jenn messier says
Well, I love your blog! and i have two things to celebrate this week: my birthday and my partner just got a job promotion. So I will definitely make this cake for our house. Yum and beautiful :)
Happy Holidays!
Alice says
This cake is really gorgeous! I wish to try it :)
elizabeth says
This is a perfect cake for December, a month with five family birthdays and Christmas itself. I will definitely be making this with our fresh pomegranates.
Ariela says
Beautiful recipe, and I love the chance for some of my favorite food bloggers to test out each other’s recipes :)!
Jaime says
Looks amazing! The contrast between the cake and the pomegranate seeds is gorgeous. <3
Ronja says
OMG this cake looks so delicious…and it’s hard to believe the cake is even vegan ;)
kind regards
Carol says
the cake looks amazing and fluffly!
Amanda says
Love Amy’s blog and that cake looks amazing too! Would be wonderful to get a copy of her book xx
Becca says
What a beautiful cake!
Annette says
How beautiful! It looks like a work of art….almost too good to eat. :)
Anna says
I made this cake today and it was delicious. Thank you!
Danny says
Amazing cake, I am all about a healthier way of eating and this recipe is just that.
Annia says
I’d love to own this beautiful cookbook!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Harmony and design says
Wowww qué pinta más exqusiita.
Claudia says
I want to make this for my 27th birthday in isolation in Melbourne next week! It’s been a tough few months for me, but a lovely cake like this will lift my spirits! I’m going to make a version of Amy Chaplin’s coconut milk frosting, but add matcha powder instead of chocolate and maybe coconut yoghurt too.
Do you think the cake will bake any taller in two 7inch tins? If not I might just make a double batch for lots of layers!
Thank you for your advice on this. I have always loved your blog and learnt a lot from your recipes xx
Anya says
Hi Claudia,
Happy birthday! I think the 1/2″ diameter difference won’t make much difference in the height. Hope you enjoy the cake, the matcha addition sounds great!