Anna, I am new to this as well, as well as this forum.  I haven't worked out the sugar issue yet. This recipe is Vegan, but does have some sugar in it. I'm not big on artificial sweeteners, so I don't know how to sub in for that!  If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to improve on this recipe.

(shocker... I actually got this from the Big Y supermarket)

Vegan Chocolate Cake

1.5 c cake flour

1/2 c granulated sugar 

1/4 c lt. brown sugar

1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp espresso powder

1/3 c ripened Haas avocado, pureed

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 c almond milk

non-stick spray

ICING

1/2 c unsweetened cocoa powder

1.5 TBSP confectioner's sugar

2 ripe avocados, peeled, seeded, and diced

1/2 c agave syrup

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

to follow!

Directions:

1. Preheat oven 350

2. Coat 8" w/non-stick spray

3. In med. bowl, sift together 1st 7 (dry) ingredients

4. In sep. bowl, whisk avocados, vanilla, a.c. vin & alm. milk

5. Add wet ingred. to dry, whisking until combined.

6. Pour batter into prepared pan; bake 35 mins.

7. Let cool before removing from pan.

ICING:

1. In med. bowl, sift cocoa and confectioners.

2.  Puree avocados; press thru sieve to remove green flecks.

3. Add agave and vanilla & whisk until smooth. Refrigerate until use.

*makes 12 servings. Per serving: Cals 260;Fat 11g (sat 1g); Chol 0g; Sodium 70mg; Carbs 48g; Fiber 4g; Protein 3g

Again, this has sugar, but, being new to the vegan lifestyle, it's one step at a time for me!

One more response for Dan:  I've been looking for this link since yesterday after I read your post which included this quote from you "Refined oils from plants and especially from coconut are damaging to a human vascular system even in moderation."  You might find some interesting information in regards to coconut oil here:  http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=%2Fmp4%2FLJO190v1_WS  Also, you will find tons of great recipes with little or no oil at this link:  http://fatfreevegan.com/  I have tried a number of the recipes on this site and they are always wonderful.  :))

That cake looks amazing! Im a true chocolate-lover! :)

Martha Stewart's Double Chocolate Love Cake.  The best!!!!

I haven't yet tasted a great vegan chocolate cake in Toronto yet... I'm sure that will change once the best Raw Vegan chef Doug McNish releases his new cookbook here in Canada!

Sticky Fingers in DC has the best vegan desserts I've ever tasted!! (including choc cake!)

That picture has me really wanting to make a trek to Sticky Fingers. :)

I found coconut sugar is delicious and makes a great substitute in baking as it can be used cup for cup in place of sugar. I wonder if molasses and coconut sugar would work as a substitute for the brown sugar.