Almond Joy Cake
[Vegan]

For the Vanilla Cake:

1. Combine the flax meal with the hot water and let stand for about 5 minutes to thicken.
2. Add the vinegar to the soy milk to sour.
3. Sift the flour with the baking powder and salt.
4. Cream the vegan butter with the sugar until light and fluffy and this may take about 3-5 minutes on medium to high speed.
5. Add the thickened flax paste while mixing on medium speed, scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to incorporate evenly, add the vanilla extract.
6. Add about 1/3 of the flour to the creamed mixture then add half of the soured milk.
7. Add another 1/3 of the flour and then the remaining sour milk.
8. Add the last amount of flour and mix just to combine evenly.
9. Pour the batter into a greased and parchment lined 7" cake pan and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for approximately 25 minutes or until it is springy to the touch when you gently press the centers.

For the Chocolate Cake:

1. Combine ground flax seed with the 5 Tablespoons of hot water and whisk smooth.
2. Let stand for 5 minutes to thicken to a paste.
3. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder & soda together in a large mixing bowl.
4. Combine the coconut oil, 3/4 cup boiling water and cocoa powder together and whisk smooth.
5. Add the cocoa mixture and the flax eggs mixture along with the vanilla extract to the flour mixture and whisk smooth.
6. Divide the batter between 2-7" cake pans filling slightly more than half full and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for approximately 22 - 38 minutes or until they are springy to the touch when you gently press the centers.

For the Filling:

1. Combine all the ingredients for the filling together in a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup of the buttercream from above to the coconut filling for a creamier cake filling.