Red Velvet Vegan Recipe: Easy and Delicious Dessert Ideas

Updated On: October 4, 2025

Red velvet cake is a classic favorite known for its vibrant color and rich, velvety texture. But what if you could enjoy this indulgent dessert without any dairy or eggs?

Our Red Velvet Vegan Recipe offers a deliciously moist, plant-based alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture. Perfect for those who follow a vegan lifestyle or anyone looking to try something new, this recipe transforms the traditional red velvet into a cruelty-free treat that everyone will love.

Using simple, wholesome ingredients, this cake delivers the iconic tangy flavor from apple cider vinegar and cocoa powder, balanced with the natural sweetness of vegan sugar and plant-based milk. It’s effortless to make, wonderfully moist, and topped with a creamy vegan frosting that perfectly complements the cake’s subtle chocolate undertones.

Whether it’s for a birthday, a special occasion, or just an everyday dessert craving, this red velvet vegan cake is sure to impress!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is designed to bring you all the joy of a traditional red velvet cake while being completely vegan. You’ll love how the cake remains moist and fluffy without eggs or dairy.

The vibrant red color makes it a stunning centerpiece for any dessert table, and the frosting is silky smooth, made without cream cheese but still tangy and sweet.

Moreover, this cake is easy to prepare with common pantry staples and requires no special vegan substitutes like aquafaba or flax eggs, making it accessible for all home bakers. Plus, it’s free from refined dairy allergens and cholesterol, making it a healthier choice.

For more vegan baking inspiration, check out our Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious and Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 cup organic cane sugar
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (canola or melted coconut oil)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp red food coloring (natural if preferred)

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls (medium and large)
  • Whisk and rubber spatula
  • 9-inch round cake pans (two)
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Electric mixer or hand whisk
  • Cooling rack
  • Offset spatula for frosting

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  3. Prepare wet mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes to create a vegan “buttermilk.” Then add the vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Whisk until smooth.
  4. Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be smooth but slightly thick.
  5. Divide and bake: Evenly pour the batter into the prepared pans. Tap the pans gently on the counter to release air bubbles. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool: Remove cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
  7. Prepare vegan frosting: While the cake cools, prepare your vegan frosting. A simple blend of vegan butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a splash of plant milk works beautifully.
  8. Assemble and frost: Place one cake layer on your serving platter. Spread an even layer of frosting on top. Add the second layer and cover the entire cake with frosting. Decorate as desired.

Tips & Variations

Always use fresh baking soda for the best rise and texture! If you want a deeper chocolate flavor, increase cocoa powder to 1½ tbsp.

Try using beet juice or powder as a natural red coloring alternative for a healthier twist. For a nutty flavor, substitute vegetable oil with melted coconut oil or avocado oil.

To make cupcakes, divide batter into a lined muffin tin and bake for 18-20 minutes. You can also experiment with different frostings like vegan cream cheese or coconut whipped cream.

If you want to explore more vegan creamy sauces to pair with your desserts or meals, check out our Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Serving (1 slice)
Calories 320
Fat 14g
Saturated Fat 3g
Carbohydrates 45g
Fiber 2g
Sugar 28g
Protein 3g
Cholesterol 0mg

Serving Suggestions

This vegan red velvet cake shines on its own, but it’s also fantastic when paired with fresh berries or a dollop of coconut whipped cream for extra indulgence.

For a festive look, sprinkle with vegan-friendly red or white sprinkles or add edible flowers. It pairs beautifully with a cup of vegan hot chocolate or a refreshing berry smoothie.

If you enjoy plant-based vegetable dishes alongside your desserts, consider complementing your meal with some Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals to balance out your menu.

Conclusion

Our Red Velvet Vegan Recipe is proof that you don’t need eggs or dairy to create a spectacular dessert. It’s moist, richly flavored, and visually stunning, making it perfect for any occasion.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan baker or just trying out plant-based recipes, this cake is sure to become a favorite in your repertoire.

With easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward instructions, it’s a recipe that anyone can master. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to show friends and family how delicious and satisfying vegan baking can be.

Don’t forget to explore more of our delightful vegan recipes like the Soy Free Vegan Recipes for Delicious Plant-Based Meals and the Slow Cooker Recipes Vegan Easy Meals for Busy Weeknight for wholesome, easy cooking ideas.

Enjoy your baking adventure and the sweet rewards of this vibrant vegan red velvet cake!

📖 Recipe Card: Red Velvet Vegan Cake

Description: A moist and fluffy red velvet cake made entirely with plant-based ingredients. Perfect for celebrations or a delicious treat.

Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT50M

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring (vegan)
  • 1/2 cup vegan cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix almond milk and apple cider vinegar, set aside to curdle.
  3. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Add oil, vanilla, red food coloring, and curdled almond milk to dry ingredients; mix until smooth.
  5. Pour batter into a greased 9-inch cake pan.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Let cake cool completely before frosting.
  8. Whip vegan cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth.
  9. Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
  10. Slice and serve.

Nutrition: Calories: 320 | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Carbs: 45g

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Red Velvet Vegan Cake”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A moist and fluffy red velvet cake made entirely with plant-based ingredients. Perfect for celebrations or a delicious treat.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT30M”, “totalTime”: “PT50M”, “recipeYield”: “8 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1 cup granulated sugar”, “1 tablespoon cocoa powder”, “1 teaspoon baking soda”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1 cup almond milk”, “1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar”, “1/2 cup vegetable oil”, “1 teaspoon vanilla extract”, “2 tablespoons red food coloring (vegan)”, “1/2 cup vegan cream cheese”, “1/4 cup powdered sugar”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix almond milk and apple cider vinegar, set aside to curdle.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add oil, vanilla, red food coloring, and curdled almond milk to dry ingredients; mix until smooth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour batter into a greased 9-inch cake pan.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let cake cool completely before frosting.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Whip vegan cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cake.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Slice and serve.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “320”, “proteinContent”: “3g”, “fatContent”: “15g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “45g”}}

Photo of author

Marta K

Leave a Comment

X