Vegan school dinners chocolate concrete cake is a nostalgic throwback to the British old-school dinners puddings of the 1970s, 80s and 90s.
Chocolate concrete cake is so easy and quick to bake. A batch can be ready and cooling in the baking pan, in just 35 minutes.
This vegan chocolate concrete cake recipe results in a cake-biscuit that is hard at the edges but with a softer chocolate-brownie like inner texture and flavour.. Definitely an ideal biscuit for dunking in a hot cup of tea, coffee or chilled oat milk.
Origins of Chocolate Concrete Cake
Chocolate concrete cake was a British pudding that was served up to school kids during the 70s, 80s and in some schools during the 90s.
Many people have fond memories of chocolate concrete served with green mint custard! At least the hot custard would have softened up the edges a little.
However my kids enjoy clanking the concrete cake off their plate to hear the clunk clunk sound!
Recipe Notes And FAQs
How long can I store concrete cake?
Chocolate concrete will keep fresh for up to 5-7 days in an airtight container such as a biscuit tin or jar. If storing in a plastic tub, adding a layer of kitchen foil and wrapping this around the biscuits will prevent the biscuits from going soft too quickly.
Can I freeze concrete cake?
Yes. Separate baked slices with some parchment paper and wrap up tightly to avoid freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Remove wrappings before defrosting on the countertop.
My concrete cake has gone a little stale or soft. Can I revive it?
Yes simply place back in the oven at the baking temperature for 10-15 minutes to refresh. Enjoy warm or leave to go cold and harden up. If your concerned the biscuit will become too dark simply wrap in a little foil.
What can I serve to accompany concrete cake?
Chocolate concrete cake is traditionally served with custard. For a plant-based custard recipe check out my easy and quick recipe for vegan custard which is detailed on my jam and coconut traybake recipe.
Other ideas:
- Fresh strawberries, raspberries or blueberries.
- Vegan custard in little ready-made tubs.
- Vegan chocolate spread to add a little dollop to each biscuit.
- Vegan chocolate custard pudding for extra chocolate indulgence!
- Vegan whipped silken tofu chocolate pudding for something tasty but packed with plant-based nutrition!
- Crumble a few concrete biscuits up and mix through or sprinkle over vegan ice cream. Or some vegan vanilla yogurt.
- Include concrete cake with a larger British afternoon tea party, buffet or picnic spread.
- Or simply a nice hot cup of tea or coffee. And for kids a chilled glass of creamy oat milk is always welcomed.
- A revitalizing turmeric latte (no coffee recipe)
How To Prepare Vegan School Dinners Chocolate Concrete Cake:
Melt the vegan margarine. Mix through the flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Big clumps will form but keep mixing and break the pieces up until everything is crumbs. Tip the crumbs into a baking pan. 
Press the crumbs down until firmly packed. Once baked sprinkle sugar over and slice into pieces whilst still warm. Leave to cool in pan before removing the biscuits. Store in a biscuit tin or jar.
Equipment
- Baking dish/ brownie style baking tray/pan. I used a 10 x 7 inch but any similar size smaller or larger will be fine.
- Baking/parchment paper
Ingredients
- 200 grams plain flour or all purpose flour.
- 160 grams granulated sugar or caster sugar. Plus an extra tablespoon for sprinkling over the baked biscuits.
- 50 grams cocoa powder sieved.
- 100 grams plant-based margarine or vegan butter.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 160 Fan/180 Celsius/356 Fahrenheit/Gas 4.
- Grease and line a baking pan with baking paper.
- Melt the margarine in a saucepan.
- Add the vanilla to the margarine and mix.
- Add the dry ingredients to a mixing bowl. Pour in the margarine-vanilla mix.
- Mix well. it will look like thick clumps but eventually will mix into crumbs. Use your spoon to break up the lumps.
- Tip the crumb mix into your baking tin and press it all down into an even slab. Press quite firm so it's all compacted.
- Bake in the middle rack of your oven for around 25 minutes. Bake for 20 minutes if you prefer a softer texture. And for a firmer texture bake for an extra 5 minutes.
- Chocolate concrete will be soft and a little crumbly when it comes out of the oven but will firm up when cool. Mark into 12 portions while still warm.
- Sprinkle a little granulated sugar over the top after marking into portions.Leave to cool in the pan before removing.
Notes
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- Nutritional data is provided for guidance only and is not an exact calculation as ingredients vary. Data is calculated using computerized nutrition apps.
- Store chocolate concrete in a biscuit tin or jar for up to 7 days, perhaps longer. If it has gone slightly stale or soft it can be placed back in the oven at the baking temperature for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy warm or leave to harden up.
- Pieces can be frozen for up to 3 months if well wrapped. Defrost to room temperature, with the wrappings removed.Â
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Nutrition
I was a kid in the UK in the 80s and can’t say I remember this, but it sounds like a fun treat!
I don’t think all schools served chocolate concrete but many did. It was most commonly served with green or mint custard so perhaps the biscuit-cake was hiding underneath! It certainly is a fun treat. Whenever my kids and I have a slice we always have a debate as to whether it is more like a biscuit, cake, brownie or some sort of hybrid!
Shared this delicious vegan recipe with my niece! She made it and loved it. Her roommate snagged half the batch!
That made me laugh! This crunchy biscuit-cake certainly is so moreish. Your niece will have to pass the recipe on to her roommate!!
Oh wow! This was such a hit for my kids and even my husband! We are BIG chocolate lovers here and this recipe definitely did not disappoint! Excited to make this cake again!
So glad your family enjoyed the chocolate concrete cake. My kids never get tired of it!
This chocolate concrete cake is a perfect addition to any afternoon tea.
Definitely! Every afternoon tea party should have a few slices of chocolate concrete cake. It is always an instant hit especially with kids 🙂