This vegan lemon pound cake recipe delivers a gloriously moist and flavorful cake experience, proving that deliciousness doesn’t require dairy or eggs. With a bright, citrusy aroma and a perfectly tender crumb, it’s an ideal treat for any occasion.
Blending Zest and Sweetness: Crafting the Perfect Vegan Lemon Pound Cake
This recipe utilizes simple plant-based substitutes to achieve a texture and taste comparable to, if not better than, traditional pound cake. We’ll be using a combination of plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar to create a vegan buttermilk substitute, which will react with the baking soda to give the cake a beautiful rise. The combination of oil and non-dairy yogurt ensures a supremely moist crumb, while the generous amount of lemon zest delivers that irresistible tang.
Vegan lemon pound cake ingredients laid out on a table.
Let’s Get Baking: A Step-by-Step Guide to Vegan Lemon Pound Cake Perfection
Yields: 10-12 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) vegan butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup non-dairy yogurt
- 1/4 cup plant-based milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
- 1/2 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
Instructions:
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened vegan butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 3-5 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Make the Vegan Buttermilk: In a small bowl, combine the plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes to curdle slightly. This creates our vegan buttermilk!
- Add Wet to Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the vegan buttermilk, and mix until just combined. Don’t overmix.
- Flavor Infusion: Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
- Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Down: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Smooth, light yellow batter in a bowl, ready to be poured into a loaf pan.
Tips for the Best Vegan Lemon Pound Cake:
- Zest Carefully: When zesting the lemons, be sure to avoid the white pith, which can be bitter.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using softened vegan butter and room-temperature ingredients helps create a smoother, more evenly mixed batter.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a dense and tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Test for Doneness: Start checking the cake for doneness around the 45-minute mark to avoid overbaking.
A slice of moist vegan lemon pound cake on a plate.
Vegan Lemon Pound Cake FAQs:
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose baking blend.
Can I use a different type of pan?
Yes, you can bake this cake in a bundt pan or even as cupcakes. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
How should I store leftover cake?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Can I add a glaze to this cake?
Absolutely! A simple lemon glaze made with powdered sugar and lemon juice would be delicious.
Can I add other flavors to this cake?
Feel free to get creative! You can add blueberries, raspberries, or even a swirl of poppy seeds to the batter.
This vegan lemon pound cake is a testament to the delicious possibilities of plant-based baking. You’d be surprised how a few simple swaps can lead to a cake that’s moist, flavorful, and sure to impress. Now, it’s your turn to create magic in the kitchen!
Want more vegan dessert recipes? Check out our easy vegan rice krispie treats recipe! You can also find more variations on this classic treat, like our recipe for vegan rice krispie treats, over on our website. And if you’re looking for a simplified version, be sure to take a look at our vegan rice krispie treat recipe.
