Vanilla Vegan Cake Recipes for Delicious Dairy-Free Treats

If you’re searching for a vanilla vegan cake recipe that is moist, fluffy, and bursting with classic flavor, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a special celebration, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, a good vanilla cake never goes out of style.

But making a vegan cake that rivals traditional recipes can feel intimidating—how do you get that tender crumb, that rich vanilla aroma, and a cake that everyone, vegan or not, will love?

Today, I’m sharing my favorite vanilla vegan cake recipe: easy enough for beginners, impressive enough for guests. This cake requires simple pantry staples and comes together in under an hour.

No eggs, no dairy—just plant-based goodness and pure vanilla flavor. Read on to discover why this recipe is a must-try, what you’ll need, and how to bake the perfect vegan vanilla cake every time!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vanilla vegan cake isn’t just “good for a vegan cake”—it’s a delightful dessert in its own right! Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:

• Incredibly Moist & Tender: The crumb is soft, light, and never dry, thanks to the perfect balance of wet and dry ingredients.
• No Fancy Ingredients: All you need are easy-to-find staples—no specialty egg replacers or expensive vegan butters required.
• Quick & Simple: You can whip up this cake in under an hour, from start to finish.
• Allergy-Friendly: This recipe is naturally dairy-free, egg-free, and can easily be made nut-free or soy-free.
• Customizable: Dress it up with your favorite vegan frosting, layer it with fruit, or keep it simple for snacking.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Birthdays, holidays, or just a mid-week pick-me-up—this cake fits every celebration.

Whether you’re a lifelong vegan or just exploring new options, this cake will quickly become your go-to for any dessert emergency.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to create a classic, fluffy vanilla vegan cake. For easy reference, I’ve included a table with the full ingredient list and quantities for a standard 8-inch, two-layer cake.

• All-purpose flour – 2 1/2 cups (315g)
• Granulated sugar – 1 1/2 cups (300g)
• Baking powder – 2 1/2 teaspoons
• Baking soda – 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt – 1/2 teaspoon
• Plant-based milk – 1 1/2 cups (360ml)
• Neutral oil – 1/3 cup (80ml)
• Apple cider vinegar – 2 teaspoons
• Pure vanilla extract – 1 1/2 tablespoons
• Vegan butter (optional) – 1/4 cup (55g), melted

Note: For a nut-free cake, opt for soy or oat milk. For a lighter cake, stick with oil only; for richness, add the vegan butter.

Equipment

Before you begin, make sure you have the following kitchen essentials ready:

• 2 x 8-inch round cake pans (or 1 x 9×13-inch pan for sheet cake)
• Mixing bowls – one large, one medium
• Whisk or electric mixer
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Parchment paper and/or non-stick spray
• Cooling rack
• Offset spatula or butter knife (for frosting, optional)

Having the right tools on hand will make your baking experience smooth and enjoyable!

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans with non-stick spray or vegan butter and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix the wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes to curdle slightly—this creates a vegan “buttermilk” that helps your cake rise and stay moist.
3. Add sugar, oil, melted vegan butter (if using), and vanilla to the buttermilk mixture. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
4. Combine the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Add dry to wet. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, whisking gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
7. Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
9. Frost and decorate as desired. Once completely cool, spread your favorite vegan frosting between the layers and over the top and sides. Simple vanilla buttercream, chocolate ganache, or whipped coconut cream all work beautifully.
10. Slice and enjoy! Serve immediately, or store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days (or refrigerated for up to 5 days).

Baker’s Tip: “If you want perfectly flat cake layers for stacking, wrap each pan with a damp cake strip before baking. This helps the cake bake evenly with less doming.”

Tips & Variations

Tips for Success

• Don’t overmix the batter—stop as soon as you don’t see streaks of flour.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly and help your cake rise evenly.
• Let the cake cool completely before frosting, or your frosting may melt and slide off.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of turmeric for subtle color, or a splash of almond extract for depth.
• Make ahead: You can bake the cake layers a day ahead, wrap tightly, and frost when ready to serve.

Recipe Variations

• Lemon Vanilla Cake: Add 2 tsp lemon zest and 2 tbsp lemon juice to the wet ingredients for a fresh twist.
• Funfetti Cake: Fold in 1/3 cup vegan rainbow sprinkles into the batter before baking for a celebration-ready treat.
• Vanilla Sheet Cake: Bake all the batter in a single 9×13-inch pan for a picnic-perfect cake.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. Check that your baking powder is gluten-free.
• Chocolate Swirl: Swirl 1/3 cup melted vegan chocolate into the batter for a marbled effect.

Pro Tip: “Customize this vanilla vegan cake for any season—top with fresh berries in summer or warm spices in winter.”

For more creative vegan baking inspiration, don’t miss my Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious and the perfectly soft Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves!

Nutrition Facts

The following nutrition information is for one slice (1/12 of the cake), unfrosted. Frosting will add additional calories and fat depending on your choice.

Note: These values are estimates and can vary based on the exact ingredients used and any add-ins or frostings.

Serving Suggestions

This vanilla vegan cake is a versatile base for all your dessert cravings. Here are some delicious ways to serve and enjoy it:

• Classic Layer Cake: Frost with vegan vanilla or chocolate buttercream and decorate with sprinkles or fresh flowers for birthdays and celebrations.
• Berry Shortcake: Top slices with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and a dollop of coconut whipped cream for a summery treat.
• Drizzle with Vegan Ganache: Pour rich chocolate ganache over the cooled cake for true decadence.
• Simple Powdered Sugar Dusting: Perfect for tea time or when you want to keep things light and easy.
• Layer with Fruit Jam: Spread your favorite fruit preserves between the layers for extra flavor and moisture.
• Cupcake Version: Bake the batter in a muffin tin (reduce baking time to 18-20 minutes) for adorable individual treats.

“This cake is so adaptable—try it as a base for a vegan trifle or even cut into cubes for a fondue party!”

If you love incorporating more vegetables into your meals, check out some of my savory favorites like Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals or these Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas for inspiration!

Conclusion

Baking the perfect vanilla vegan cake doesn’t have to be complicated or require hard-to-find ingredients. This recipe proves that with a few simple pantry staples and a bit of know-how, you can create a moist, flavorful cake that everyone will love—vegan or not.

Whether you’re making this for a party, a family gathering, or just to treat yourself, you’ll be amazed at how quickly this cake comes together and disappears! Don’t forget to experiment with different frostings, fillings, and toppings to make it your own.

For more plant-based treats and meal ideas, browse our collection of Soy Free Vegan Recipes for Delicious Plant-Based Meals or explore our easy dessert recipes. Happy baking!

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