How to Make the Perfect Vegan Vanilla Cake
American · Medium · 50 min · 10 servings
This vegan vanilla cake is a fluffy light and tender celebration cake made without eggs or dairy. It is the perfect vegan dessert for birthdays and special occasions proving that plant-based baking can be just as impressive.
Why this recipe works
This Vegan Vanilla Cake recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 50 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 320 calories with 4g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 0.5 cup melted coconut oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Pans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans with coconut oil and line the bottoms with parchment paper circles.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flour sugar baking powder and salt until evenly combined.
Step 3: Make Vegan Buttermilk
In a measuring cup combine the almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Stir and let sit for 2 minutes to curdle into a vegan buttermilk. Then stir in the melted coconut oil and vanilla extract.
Step 4: Combine and Bake
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 28 to 32 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 5: Cool and Frost
Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting with your favorite vegan buttercream.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- almond milk → oat milk or soy milk for a nut-free option
- coconut oil → neutral flavored vegetable oil such as sunflower or canola oil
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Opening the oven door too early which causes the cake to sink in the middle
- Frosting the cake before it is fully cooled which melts the frosting and makes it slide off
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 320 calories, 4g protein, 46g carbs, 14g fat, 1g fiber.
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