This is a cult family favorite, and mostly because of my love for tahini. When I saw this in Eden Grinshpan's recipe book, it was a MUST!
I made this recently to take to a friend's house and it was huge hit, plus everytime I make it my family always says "I didn't get enough, can you make more?" which means I know I'm doing something right!
*Edit: I made the recipe to our dietary needs, except for eggs....
INGREDIENTS:
-1/2 cup (1 stick) vegan butter, at room temperature, love Earth Balance
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup almond milk, at room temperature
-1/2 cup tahini paste, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Grated zest of 2 lemons
- 1 cup vegan yogurt
BUTTERCREAM
- 2 sticks (8 ounces) vegan butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup tahini paste, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
She makes her as a full sheet pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 X 13-inch pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
Using a stand mixer, cream butter on medium to medium high speed for 2-minutes. Add oil, sugar, and whip until fluffy. Scrape down sides as needed. Add each egg, one at a time, and mix each egg before adding the next. Once eggs are incorporated add tahini, almond milk, vanilla, and lemon zest. Finally add vegan yogurt.
Reduce mixer speed to low and add flour mixture a little at a time until it's all mixed together.
Pour batter into prepared pan. I like to smooth it down and drop it on the counter a few times.
Bake about 35 minutes, until you can "hear the cake" if you use that technique, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Make the buttercream using the same mixer with a different bowl, cream butter, then add powdered sugar and mix until butter is much lighter in color and quite fluffy. Add tahini, vanilla, and salt and continue until fluffy.
Make sure the cake is completely cooled before adding the frosting!