Vegan Pistachio Rosewater Cardamom Cake

Pretty much all I can say is that this is one of the best cakes I've ever made. Hands down. It's pretty, elegant, girly, moist, lightly spiced, nutty, flowery... I could go on and on. The frosting came out PERFECTLY, better than any other time I had made it. No problems what so ever. For a while I was a little skeptical about making this cake (or cupcakes) because it sounded so odd. Rosewater? The ingredient that I enjoy most in my night cream, facial toner, and other hygienic products? I wasn't sure how I would like the taste. But, as always, just like other liquids and alcohols that one incorporates into baking, it cooks off and gives it the greatest flavor. This would go so, so well with an Indian or Persian feast of some sort, but a mug full of spicy chai and some soy milk on the side works just as well. I made this for a co-worker of mine's 17th birthday, which she really enjoyed, and that made me the happiest. I'm telling you, all I want to do is bake mini birthday cakes! All the time! Well, at least most of the time. I don't think I would enjoy it as much if it were my job. That's why it's on the side...









Vegan Pistachio Rosewater Cardamom Cake with Buttercream Frosting

Adapted from VCTOTW

Ingredients:

1/2 cup vanilla soy yogurt

2/3 cup soy milk

1/3 cup canola oil

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 to 2 tablespoons rosewater

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

Generous pinch of cardamom

1/3 cup finely chopped pistachios, lightly toasted if desired

1/2 cup more of finely chopped pistachios, for decoration, if desired

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease two 6-inch cake pans.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, soy milk, oil, sugar, and rosewater. Sift in flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, cardamom and salt. Mix until relatively smooth. Fold in pistachios. Fill cake pans about half way, until both are even. Bake 25-28 minutes (time varies). Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely before inverting and frosting.

For the Fluffy Buttercream Rosewater Frosting (I halved the original recipe):

1/4 cup nonhydrogenated shortening

1/4 cup nonhydrogenated margarine

1 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted if clumpy

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 to 3 tablespoons soy creamer or milk

1 to 2 teaspoons rosewater

Beat the shortening and margarine together until well combined and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat for about 3 more minutes. Add the vanilla, soy milk, and rosewater, beat for another 5 to 7 minutes until fluffy.

Frost the bottom layer of the cake, sprinkle chopped pistachios before putting on second layer, and frost the rest of the cake. Sprinkle/press pistachios around the outside of the cake, and sprinkle with light pink or peach crystals if desired. And there you have it.