Vegan Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Ganache Recipe

My wonderful husband decided to make me a birthday cake this year.  Usually, if we even bother to get one, we just go to Whole foods.  The trouble is their cakes are FULL of sugar--not good.  That's why it was so thoughtful and loving that Arneil came up with this recipe and made it for me!

CAKE
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups rice milk
1/2 cup agave syrup
1/4 cup oil
10 oz jar strawberry jam (make sure it is made with fruit pectin--st. dalfour is a GREAT choice)
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp lemon juice
2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp sea salt
3 tbsp unsweetened apple sauce

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.  Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.  In a separate bowl, combine all the wet ingredients.  Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients and mix together.  Pour approximately half of the batter into a baking pan.  Spread the entire jar of jam on top of the batter.  Pour the remaining batter into the baking pan.  Bake the cake for approximately 25 minutes or until you put a toothpick in the middle and it comes out clean.  Let it cool completely before serving.

FROSTING
Ingredients:
1/4 cup agave syrup
1 container of vegan cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
Put all ingredients into a blender and mix thoroughly.  Set aside until the cake is ready to be frosted.

NOTE:
You can try making this with a different kind of jam, extract, and without the frosting.  We did this for the new year and made it with an apricot jam ganache, almond extract, and no frosting.  We also used organic coconut sugar instead of the agave syrup.  It cooks a little differently, so just keep an eye on it to know when to take it out of the oven.

Enjoy!