Vegan baking has truly come into its own, especially here in the UK where the demand for plant-based treats is booming. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or simply looking to reduce dairy and eggs in your diet, these vegan baking recipes offer delicious, accessible, and wholesome options.
From fluffy cakes to indulgent cookies and delightful breads, the best vegan baking recipes in the UK combine traditional flavours with innovative plant-based ingredients. You don’t have to compromise on taste or texture—these recipes prove that vegan baking can be every bit as satisfying and crowd-pleasing as conventional baking.
In this post, we’ll explore some standout recipes that are perfect for all skill levels, along with tips, variations, and nutritional information to help you bake smarter. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the enticing aromas of vegan goodness that everyone will love!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These vegan baking recipes are designed to be straightforward, flavourful, and adaptable. Using common UK pantry staples and easy-to-find plant-based alternatives, you’ll discover that you don’t need eggs, butter, or dairy to create mouthwatering baked goods.
Each recipe focuses on balancing moisture, texture, and taste, ensuring your cakes, cookies, and breads come out perfectly every time. Plus, many of the recipes are refined sugar-free or use natural sweeteners, making them a healthier choice for your family and guests.
Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a sweet treat, these recipes guarantee delicious results with a compassionate twist.
Ingredients
- Plain flour – the base for most baked goods
- Self-raising flour – for lighter cakes and sponges
- Brown sugar or maple syrup – natural sweeteners
- Baking powder and bicarbonate of soda – for leavening
- Ground flaxseeds or chia seeds – egg replacers
- Plant-based milk (oat, almond, soy) – for moisture
- Vegetable oil or coconut oil – for fat content
- Vanilla extract – for flavour enhancement
- Dark vegan chocolate chips – for indulgent treats
- Baking cocoa powder – for rich chocolate flavour
- Fresh or frozen fruits (bananas, berries, apples) – for natural sweetness and texture
- Nuts and seeds (walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds) – for crunch and nutrition
Equipment
- Mixing bowls – various sizes for combining ingredients
- Measuring cups and spoons – for accuracy
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer – to simplify mixing
- Baking trays and cake tins – round, square, and loaf tins
- Silicone spatula and wooden spoon – for folding and mixing
- Cooling rack – for proper cooling after baking
- Oven thermometer – to ensure consistent baking temperatures
- Parchment paper – to prevent sticking
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to the temperature specified in each recipe, typically between 175°C and 190°C (350°F-375°F).
- Prepare your baking tins by greasing them lightly or lining with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
- Mix your dry ingredients including flours, baking powder, soda, and salt in one bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients such as plant-based milk, oil, vanilla extract, and any liquid sweeteners like maple syrup.
- Prepare your egg replacer by mixing ground flaxseeds or chia seeds with water and letting it thicken for a few minutes.
- Whisk the wet ingredients and the egg replacer together until smooth and well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, gently folding with a spatula to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the batter.
- Fold in any extras like chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit at the end.
- Pour the batter into prepared tins and smooth the surface evenly.
- Bake for the recommended time, typically 25-40 minutes depending on the recipe, testing doneness with a skewer or toothpick.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Tips & Variations
“Always sift your flours and cocoa powder to avoid lumps and achieve a light texture.”
To enhance flavour, try adding spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to your batter. For a richer taste, substitute some of the plant milk with coconut cream.
If you’re avoiding refined sugars, use mashed ripe bananas or unsweetened applesauce as natural sweeteners and moisture boosters. For gluten-free options, almond flour or gluten-free baking blends work beautifully, though you may need to adjust liquid ratios.
Want to make cookies? Reduce baking time and shape dough into smaller portions.
For bread-like recipes, add seeds or oats for texture and nutrition.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180-250 kcal |
| Protein | 3-5 g |
| Fat | 7-12 g (mostly unsaturated) |
| Carbohydrates | 25-35 g (including natural sugars) |
| Fibre | 2-5 g |
| Sugar | 8-12 g |
Serving Suggestions
Serve these vegan baked delights slightly warm with a dusting of icing sugar or a drizzle of vegan chocolate ganache. Pair with a cup of your favourite plant-based milk latte or a fresh herbal tea for a perfect afternoon treat.
For added indulgence, top with vegan whipped cream or a scoop of dairy-free ice cream. Fresh berries or sliced fruits also complement the flavours beautifully.
Looking for more exciting vegan recipes? Try out the Julie Marie Eats Recipes for vibrant meal ideas or explore the Leche De Pantera Recipe for a creamy vegan twist on traditional desserts.
Best Vegan Baking Recipes UK
Classic Vegan Victoria Sponge Cake
- Ingredients: 200g self-raising flour, 200g caster sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, 200ml oat milk, 150ml vegetable oil, 2 tsp vanilla extract, raspberry jam and coconut cream for filling.
- Instructions: Mix flaxseed and water to create egg replacer. Combine dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients and flax mixture. Bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes. Once cooled, sandwich with jam and whipped coconut cream.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Ingredients: 250g plain flour, 150g brown sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 80ml coconut oil, 80ml water, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 150g vegan dark chocolate chips.
- Instructions: Mix dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients and combine. Fold in chocolate chips. Scoop onto baking tray and bake at 175°C for 12-15 minutes until golden.
Vegan Banana Bread
- Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas mashed, 200g plain flour, 100g brown sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, 100ml vegetable oil, 1 tsp cinnamon, 50g chopped walnuts.
- Instructions: Prepare flax egg. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl, wet in another. Combine all, fold in walnuts. Pour into loaf tin and bake at 175°C for 45-50 minutes.
Vegan Lemon Drizzle Cake
- Ingredients: 225g self-raising flour, 200g caster sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, 200ml almond milk, 150ml vegetable oil, zest and juice of 2 lemons, 100g icing sugar for drizzle.
- Instructions: Make flax egg, combine dry and wet ingredients including lemon zest and juice. Bake at 180°C for 30-35 minutes. Mix icing sugar with lemon juice and drizzle over warm cake.
Vegan Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Ingredients: 250g grated carrots, 200g plain flour, 150g brown sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, 150ml oat milk, 100ml vegetable oil, 50g chopped pecans.
- For Frosting: 150g vegan cream cheese, 50g vegan butter, 100g icing sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Instructions: Prepare flax egg. Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, combine and fold in carrots and pecans. Bake at 180°C for 35-40 minutes. Beat frosting ingredients until smooth and frost cooled cake.
- Ingredients: 250g plain flour, 150g brown sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 80ml coconut oil, 80ml water, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 150g vegan dark chocolate chips.
- Instructions: Mix dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients and combine. Fold in chocolate chips. Scoop onto baking tray and bake at 175°C for 12-15 minutes until golden.
Vegan Banana Bread
- Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas mashed, 200g plain flour, 100g brown sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, 100ml vegetable oil, 1 tsp cinnamon, 50g chopped walnuts.
- Instructions: Prepare flax egg. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl, wet in another. Combine all, fold in walnuts. Pour into loaf tin and bake at 175°C for 45-50 minutes.
Vegan Lemon Drizzle Cake
- Ingredients: 225g self-raising flour, 200g caster sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, 200ml almond milk, 150ml vegetable oil, zest and juice of 2 lemons, 100g icing sugar for drizzle.
- Instructions: Make flax egg, combine dry and wet ingredients including lemon zest and juice. Bake at 180°C for 30-35 minutes. Mix icing sugar with lemon juice and drizzle over warm cake.
Vegan Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Ingredients: 250g grated carrots, 200g plain flour, 150g brown sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, 150ml oat milk, 100ml vegetable oil, 50g chopped pecans.
- For Frosting: 150g vegan cream cheese, 50g vegan butter, 100g icing sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Instructions: Prepare flax egg. Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, combine and fold in carrots and pecans. Bake at 180°C for 35-40 minutes. Beat frosting ingredients until smooth and frost cooled cake.
- Ingredients: 225g self-raising flour, 200g caster sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, 200ml almond milk, 150ml vegetable oil, zest and juice of 2 lemons, 100g icing sugar for drizzle.
- Instructions: Make flax egg, combine dry and wet ingredients including lemon zest and juice. Bake at 180°C for 30-35 minutes. Mix icing sugar with lemon juice and drizzle over warm cake.
Vegan Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Ingredients: 250g grated carrots, 200g plain flour, 150g brown sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, 150ml oat milk, 100ml vegetable oil, 50g chopped pecans.
- For Frosting: 150g vegan cream cheese, 50g vegan butter, 100g icing sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Instructions: Prepare flax egg. Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, combine and fold in carrots and pecans. Bake at 180°C for 35-40 minutes. Beat frosting ingredients until smooth and frost cooled cake.
For a fun twist on your vegan baking, check out the Magic Dough Recipe to create versatile doughs perfect for both sweet and savoury baking.
Conclusion
These best vegan baking recipes from the UK showcase how delightful, versatile, and straightforward vegan baking can be. With accessible ingredients and clear instructions, you can easily whip up everything from classic cakes to cookies and breads that impress both vegans and non-vegans alike.
The key is in balancing moisture, texture, and flavour with plant-based alternatives that bring wholesome goodness to every bite.
As you dive into these recipes, remember that baking is a joyful experiment, so feel free to tweak and adjust to your taste. Whether it’s a special celebration or a casual teatime treat, these recipes provide a delicious foundation to explore the wonderful world of vegan baking.
Happy baking!
📖 Recipe Card: Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Description: Deliciously soft and chewy vegan chocolate chip cookies perfect for any occasion. Made with simple plant-based ingredients for a guilt-free treat.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT12M
Total Time: PT27M
Servings: 12 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons almond milk
- 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk melted coconut oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and almond milk.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
- Cool on a wire rack before serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 180 kcal | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 9 g | Carbs: 24 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “Deliciously soft and chewy vegan chocolate chip cookies perfect for any occasion. Made with simple plant-based ingredients for a guilt-free treat.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT12M”, “totalTime”: “PT27M”, “recipeYield”: “12 cookies”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup all-purpose flour”, “1/2 teaspoon baking soda”, “1/4 teaspoon salt”, “1/4 cup coconut oil, melted”, “1/2 cup brown sugar”, “1/4 cup maple syrup”, “1 teaspoon vanilla extract”, “2 tablespoons almond milk”, “1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips”, “1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 180\u00b0C (350\u00b0F).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In another bowl, whisk melted coconut oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and almond milk.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Scoop dough onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cool on a wire rack before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “180 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “2 g”, “fatContent”: “9 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “24 g”}}
