DIY fun: Make your own cake with more heart

In today's fast-paced world, making by hand is not only a relaxing way to relax, but also a way to express your deep feelings for your relatives and friends. According to a 2022 survey conducted by the Hong Kong Vegetarian Association, more than 60% of respondents believe that handmade gifts are more meaningful than purchases. Vegan cake DIY is especially suitable for health-conscious people, as it allows you to fully control the source and quality of raw materials and avoid unnecessary additives. Choosing a vegan recipe also means that this cake is suitable for people who need more meals, such as people with lactose intolerance, vegetarians, and friends with egg allergies.

Challenges and benefits of vegan DIY: easy to master ingredients and recipes

Vegan baking may seem daunting, but it's actually much easier to learn than traditional baking. While traditional cakes rely on the emulsifying properties of eggs and the texture of milk, vegan cakes achieve similar results to other scientifically blended ingredients. According to a study by the University of Hong Kong's School of Food Sciences, cakes made with plant-based milk and vegetable oil have an average of 35% lower saturated fatty acid content than traditional cakes. Here are some of the benefits of vegan baking:健康生日蛋糕

• Easy access to ingredients: Alternatives such as plant-based milk and flaxseed meal can be purchased at supermarkets in Hong Kong
• Fewer allergens: free of dairy and eggs, suitable for a wider range of people
• There's plenty of room for creativity: you can experiment with a variety of plant-based ingredients

Tool preparation: oven, mixer, measuring cup, measuring spoon, cake mold, etc.

Before making it, make sure you have all the necessary tools. Cake molds between 6 and 8 inches are the most commonly used size, and Hong Kong homeware stores such as Japantown and Pricelight have a variety of options. Electronic scales are more accurate than measuring cups, especially for novice bakers. According to a test report by the Hong Kong Consumer Council, the use of electronic scales can increase the baking success rate by 40%. Other must-have tools include:

Material preparation: Make a detailed list of the necessary ingredients

To make vegan chocolate, you will need the following ingredients, which can be found in organic stores such as Organic Plus and Slow Time in Hong Kong.

• Dry material:
  • 200g all-purpose flour
  • 50g organic cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon small baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
• Wet Material:
  • 240ml almond milk
  • 80ml coconut oil (melted)
  • 100ml maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Basic Vegan Cake Recipe (Take Chocolate Flavor as an Example)

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients

Sift all dry ingredients into a large bowl. Sieving not only removes lumps, but also prevents air from entering the mixture, making the cake fluffy. According to the recommendations of the Hong Kong Professional Bakers Association, the best results can be achieved by sifting three times. Gently stir the dry ingredients to make sure that the cocoa powder and other powders are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Mix wet ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix all the wet ingredients. Special attention should be paid to the fact that coconut oil should be in a liquid state, but not too hot, and the optimum temperature is 25-30 ° C. Apple cider vinegar reacts with baking soda to make the cake swell, which is an important tip for vegan cakes. A study by the Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre shows that this combination can replace the egg-bulking effect with comparable results.

Step 3: Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three stages, gently mixing them with the cutting method after each addition. Excessive stirring can cause the flour to produce too much gluten, which can lead to a stiff cake. The ideal batter should be smooth and flowing, but not too watery. If it is too thick, you can adjust it by adding 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable milk.

Step 4: Bake the cake

Pour the dough into a greased cake pan and tap the tabletop a few times to remove any large bubbles. Bake in a medium-heat oven preheated to 180 ° C for 30-35 minutes. The power of home ovens in Hong Kong varies greatly, and it is recommended to start testing the doneness with a bamboo skewer after 25 minutes. If you insert the bamboo skewer into the center, it means that it is beautifully baked when you take it out.

Step 5: Cool the cake

Remove the baked cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the mold for 10 minutes before releasing it and placing it on a grid rack to cool completely. This process is very important, according to the baking course information of the Hong Kong Vocational Training Council, the cake may break if you remove the mold in a hurry, but if it is completely cooled, the cream will not melt when decorating.

Vegan Cream Cream: Making a Vegan Cream Cream

Vegan cream cream is the basis of decoration. The simplest version is whipped with plant-based whipped cream, while a healthier option is made with raw cashews.

• 200g raw cashews (soak for at least 4 hours beforehand)
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-4 tablespoons vegetable milk (adjust consistency)

Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender, beat until perfectly smooth, and refrigerate for 1 hour to solidify and be suitable for plumbing. Mrs. Chan, a vegetarian baker in Hong Kong, suggests adding 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum improves stability, especially in humid Hong Kong weather.

Common DIY problems and solutions

The cake is not baked

If the center of the cake is wet and sticky, the oven temperature may not be accurate. A test by the Hong Kong Consumer Council found that in more than 70% of household ovens, there is a difference of 10-20°C between the actual temperature and the displayed temperature. It is recommended to use an oven thermometer to extend the baking time by 5-10 minutes. Another trick is to loosely cover the surface of the cake with aluminum foil so that the surface does not become too colored or the interior is overheated.

The cake is too dry

Vegan cakes tend to dry out because they don't have the moisturizing effect of eggs. Solutions include adding 20ml of plant-based milk, replacing some of the fat with applesauce, or filling a baking dish with hot water to create a steaming environment. The humidity in Hong Kong varies greatly, and in winter you may need to add 10-15 ml more liquid material than in summer.

Have fun DIY and make a unique vegan birthday cake

The greatest value in making a healthy birthday cake lies in creating and sharing in the process. Hong Kong has more and more vegan baking resources, such as Green Monday, which offers a variety of recipes. You can also participate in a "vegan baking workshop" to learn professional skills. When you're done, share your creations on social media and join the growing healthy eating community using the hashtag #Hong KongVeganBaking. Remember, each cake is unique and as special as your heart to the birthday friend.

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