I don’t generally associate the words “joy” and “vegan,” so it surprises and pleases me to show you the cake above. Today is the birthday of Matushka Anna, the wife of our priest. My wife Julie made her the birthday cake you see in the picture. Because we are in the Nativity fast, it had to be vegan. That beautiful lemon cake, and the cupcakes surrounding it, are made entirely without eggs, milk, or animal products. Wow.

UPDATE: Several of you have asked in the comments thread for the recipe. Here’s what Julie says:

https://www.sweetlittlebluebird.com/2013/04/tried-true-tuesday-lemon-crazywacky-cake.html

This cake, with glaze of lemon juice and powdered sugar. But caution them NOT to attempt to make it in a fancy cathedral Bundt pan! There were desperate measures involving towels and sinks full of boiling water.