British baking has a rich tradition filled with comforting treats, but what if you want to enjoy these delights while embracing a vegan lifestyle? British vegan baking recipes offer a wonderful way to indulge in classic flavours without any animal products.
From crumbly biscuits to moist cakes and hearty scones, these recipes showcase how versatile and delicious vegan baking can be. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or simply curious about plant-based alternatives, these recipes bring the charm of British baking right to your kitchen, using familiar ingredients like oats, coconut oil, and plant milks.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the best-loved British vegan baking recipes that are straightforward, satisfying, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. You’ll discover how easy it is to recreate traditional favourites with a compassionate twist, and why these recipes might just become your new go-to for teatime treats.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These British vegan baking recipes are designed to be approachable and delicious, offering all the nostalgic flavours you crave without the use of dairy, eggs, or butter. You’ll appreciate how they maintain the classic textures and tastes while being kinder to the planet and animals.
Each recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients, many of which you may already have in your pantry. Plus, vegan baking often means less mess and fewer allergens, making it perfect for those with dietary restrictions or anyone looking to eat more mindfully.
Whether you’re baking a batch of Lemon Straws or experimenting with a vegan twist on a traditional scone, these recipes promise comfort, flavour, and a little bit of British baking magic.
Ingredients
- Plain flour – 400g
- Self-raising flour – 200g
- Baking powder – 2 tsp
- Brown sugar – 150g
- Plant-based milk (oat, almond, or soy) – 250ml
- Vegetable oil or melted coconut oil – 100ml
- Apple cider vinegar – 1 tbsp (for vegan buttermilk)
- Ground cinnamon – 1 tsp
- Mixed dried fruits (optional) – 100g
- Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
- Baking soda – 1 tsp
- Salt – ½ tsp
- Rolled oats – 100g (for topping or biscuits)
- Chopped nuts (optional) – 50g
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer (optional but helpful)
- Whisk
- Baking trays
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Cooling rack
- Oven
- Sieve (for flour)
- Spatula
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line your baking trays with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the vegan buttermilk: In a small bowl, combine the plant-based milk with the apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles slightly.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the plain flour, self-raising flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Stir in the brown sugar and optional mixed dried fruits or nuts.
- Add wet ingredients: Pour the vegan buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract into the dry mixture. Use a spatula or mixer to combine until you form a thick but smooth batter.
- Shape your baked goods: For biscuits or scones, lightly flour your hands and shape the dough into rounds or squares, placing them evenly spaced on the tray. For cakes or bars, pour the batter into a greased or lined cake tin.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes for biscuits or scones, or 30-40 minutes for cakes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Let the baked goods cool for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the texture to set.
Tips & Variations
“For a richer taste, try substituting some of the vegetable oil with vegan butter or margarine. Adding lemon zest can brighten up the flavour of scones and biscuits.”
Don’t hesitate to experiment with different dried fruits like cranberries or apricots, and nuts such as walnuts or almonds for added texture and flavour. You can also swap the brown sugar for coconut sugar for a deeper caramel note.
For gluten-free options, try using a gluten-free flour blend instead of plain and self-raising flours, and add a teaspoon of xanthan gum to improve texture.
If you love a bit of indulgence, top your scones or biscuits with a vegan cream cheese or jam. For a festive twist, add some ground ginger and mixed spice.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Per Serving (1 biscuit/scone approx.) |
---|---|
Calories | 180 kcal |
Fat | 8g |
Saturated Fat | 3g |
Carbohydrates | 25g |
Sugars | 8g |
Fiber | 2g |
Protein | 3g |
Sodium | 150mg |
Serving Suggestions
British vegan baked goods pair beautifully with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Serve your scones or biscuits warm with vegan clotted cream or jam for an authentic British teatime experience.
For a lighter snack, enjoy them with fresh fruit or a drizzle of maple syrup. These baked treats also make delightful additions to picnic baskets or lunchboxes.
If you want to elevate your desserts, try pairing your vegan cakes with a dollop of coconut whipped cream or a scoop of your favourite vegan ice cream.
Conclusion
Embracing British vegan baking is a delicious way to enjoy traditional treats without compromising your values or dietary needs. These recipes celebrate the comforting flavours and textures that make British baking so beloved, while showcasing the versatility of plant-based ingredients.
Whether you’re baking for yourself, family, or friends, these recipes are sure to impress with their simple preparation and delightful taste. For more inspiration, you might enjoy checking out our Lemon Ricotta Pasta With Arugula Recipe for a vegan meal option, or try the sweet treats in our Kolasnittar Recipe.
If you’re curious about other vegan-friendly dishes, explore the Harvest Hash Recipe: A Delicious and Easy Fall Comfort Food.
Happy baking, and may your kitchen be filled with the warm aromas of plant-based British delights!
📖 Recipe Card: British Vegan Victoria Sponge Cake
Description: A classic British treat made vegan with plant-based ingredients. Light, fluffy, and perfect for afternoon tea.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT50M
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 200g self-raising flour
- 200g caster sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 200ml unsweetened almond milk
- 80ml vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 150g raspberry jam
- 150g vegan butter
- 150g icing sugar
- Fresh strawberries, to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Grease and line two 20cm round cake tins.
- Mix almond milk and apple cider vinegar; set aside for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, sift flour, baking powder, and sugar.
- Add oil, vanilla, and milk mixture to dry ingredients; mix until smooth.
- Divide batter evenly between tins and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Cool cakes completely before assembling.
- Whip vegan butter and icing sugar to make frosting.
- Spread jam on one cake layer, top with frosting, then place second cake on top.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries if desired.
Nutrition: Calories: 320 kcal | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 15 g | Carbs: 45 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “British Vegan Victoria Sponge Cake”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A classic British treat made vegan with plant-based ingredients. Light, fluffy, and perfect for afternoon tea.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT30M”, “totalTime”: “PT50M”, “recipeYield”: “8 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“200g self-raising flour”, “200g caster sugar”, “1 tsp baking powder”, “200ml unsweetened almond milk”, “80ml vegetable oil”, “1 tbsp apple cider vinegar”, “1 tsp vanilla extract”, “150g raspberry jam”, “150g vegan butter”, “150g icing sugar”, “Fresh strawberries, to garnish (optional)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 180\u00b0C (350\u00b0F).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Grease and line two 20cm round cake tins.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix almond milk and apple cider vinegar; set aside for 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, sift flour, baking powder, and sugar.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add oil, vanilla, and milk mixture to dry ingredients; mix until smooth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Divide batter evenly between tins and bake for 25-30 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cool cakes completely before assembling.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Whip vegan butter and icing sugar to make frosting.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Spread jam on one cake layer, top with frosting, then place second cake on top.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Garnish with fresh strawberries if desired.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “320 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “3 g”, “fatContent”: “15 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “45 g”}}