This easy vegan cake recipe is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or just when you need a slice of something sweet. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can bake a delicious and moist vegan cake that will impress everyone, even non-vegan friends!
What You Need to Make a Basic Vegan Cake
Before we start, let’s gather our ingredients. One of the best things about this vegan cake recipe is that it uses simple pantry staples:
- Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (You can also use a gluten-free blend for a gluten-free vegan cake)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (Other plant-based milk like soy milk or oat milk work well too)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (Canola or sunflower oil are great options)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Vegan Cake Ingredients Laid Out
Let’s Get Baking: Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s get baking!
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond milk, oil, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Pouring Vegan Cake Batter Into Pan
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Vegan Cake
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For a light and airy cake, ensure your wet ingredients, especially the plant-based milk, are at room temperature.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a dense and chewy cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Toothpick Test: To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, it’s ready!
- Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Delicious Frosting Options
While this basic vegan cake is delicious on its own, you can elevate it with your favorite frosting! Here are some ideas:
- Vegan Swiss Meringue Buttercream: This frosting is light, fluffy, and perfect for piping beautiful swirls.
- Vegan Chocolate Ganache: A rich and decadent option for chocolate lovers.
- Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting: A tangy and creamy frosting that pairs well with vanilla cake.
Frosted Vegan Cake Slices on a Plate
“When working with vegan cake batters, I always recommend using a high-quality vanilla extract. It makes a world of difference in flavor!” – Chef Anya Green
Vegan Cake: FAQs
1. Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend.
2. Can I use a different type of plant-based milk?
Yes, you can use soy milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or any other plant-based milk you prefer.
3. How do I store leftover vegan cake?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
4. Can I freeze vegan cake?
Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.
5. My cake turned out dry. What went wrong?
Overbaking is a common culprit for dry cakes. Ensure you check the cake for doneness using the toothpick test.
6. Can I add fruits or nuts to this cake?
Of course! You can fold in blueberries, raspberries, chopped walnuts, or chocolate chips to the batter for added flavor and texture.
7. What are some other good vegan cake recipes?
For more inspiration, check out our roundup of good vegan cake recipes, featuring a variety of flavors and frosting options.
Enjoy Your Delicious Vegan Cake!
This Basic Vegan Cake Recipe is incredibly versatile, and you can customize it to your liking. Add your favorite flavors, frostings, and decorations to create a show-stopping centerpiece for any occasion. Enjoy!
