Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F. Prepare your cake pan: grease or lightly spray with a neutral-flavored oil or vegan butter. Set aside.
In a small bowl or cup, combine the flax seeds with the hot water. Mix well and set aside for 5 minutes to allow the flax to bind. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the plant milk, oil, sugar, vanilla, and applesauce. Add flax and mix again.
Sieve your dry ingredients (cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, flour, and spices) into a different bowl and combine. Then add them to the wet ingredients and mix with an electric mixer until no lumps remain and the batter is smooth, while not overmixing it.
Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The cake will be done when there is no wiggle in it and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Top shortly before serving with vegan whipped cream, followed by washed strawberries. You can add them as a whole, or slice. Enjoy!