Are you looking for a way to satisfy your sweet tooth while still sticking to a plant-based diet? Look no further than these delicious plant-based cake recipes! As someone who has many vegan friends, I know how challenging it can be to find tasty desserts that don’t rely on animal products. But with these recipes, you can indulge in a slice of cake without sacrificing your values or your health.
In this article, I will share the benefits of plant-based cakes, tips for baking them, and 10 delicious recipes to try out. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes are sure to impress. From classic chocolate cake to fruity tarts and everything in between, there’s something for everyone. So grab your apron and let’s get started!
Benefits of Plant-Based Cakes
As someone who loves baking and experimenting with different recipes, I have found that plant-based cakes have several benefits that make them an excellent choice for anyone looking for a healthier dessert option. Here are some of the benefits of plant-based cakes that I have discovered:
Simple Ingredients
One of the best things about plant-based cakes is that they often use simple ingredients that are easy to find and affordable. Many traditional cake recipes call for ingredients like butter, eggs, and milk, which can be expensive and not readily available for everyone. In contrast, plant-based cakes often use ingredients like flour, sugar, plant-based milk, and oil, which are much more accessible and affordable.
Gluten-Free
For those who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease, finding a cake recipe that is both delicious and safe to eat can be a challenge. However, many plant-based cake recipes are naturally gluten-free, making them an excellent option for those who need to avoid gluten.
Refined Sugar-Free
Another benefit of plant-based cakes is that they are often made without refined sugar. Instead, natural sweeteners like maple syrup, agave nectar, or dates are used. This makes plant-based cakes a healthier option for those who are looking to reduce their sugar intake.
Vegan Cake
Plant-based cakes are also a great option for those following a vegan diet. Traditional cake recipes often use eggs and dairy, which are not vegan-friendly. However, plant-based cakes use substitutes like flax eggs, applesauce, or plant-based milk to create a delicious cake that is entirely vegan.
Vegan Cake Recipes
There are so many delicious plant-based cake recipes out there that anyone can enjoy, regardless of their dietary restrictions. From chocolate cake to carrot cake, there is a plant-based cake recipe for everyone. Plus, many of these recipes are easy to make and require only a few ingredients, making them perfect for beginner bakers.
Dessert Recipes
Finally, plant-based cakes are an excellent dessert option for anyone looking for a healthier alternative to traditional cakes. With simple ingredients, gluten-free options, and vegan-friendly recipes, plant-based cakes are a delicious and guilt-free way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Tips for Baking Plant-Based Cakes
As someone who has been baking plant-based cakes countless times for my friends, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks along the way. Here are some things to keep in mind when baking your own plant-based cakes:
Ingredients
One of the biggest challenges when baking plant-based cakes is finding suitable substitutes for traditional baking ingredients like eggs, butter, and milk. Here are some common plant-based substitutes:
- Flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken. This can be used as a substitute for one egg in most recipes.
- Aquafaba: This is the liquid from a can of chickpeas, and it can be used as a substitute for egg whites in recipes like meringues and macarons.
- Oat flour: This is a great gluten-free alternative to traditional wheat flour. You can make your own by grinding rolled oats in a blender or food processor.
- Gluten-free flour: There are many different types of gluten-free flours available, like rice flour, almond flour, and coconut flour. Experiment to find the ones that work best for your recipes.
Techniques
In addition to using the right ingredients, there are some techniques that can help you achieve the best results when baking plant-based cakes:
- Use parchment paper: This will help prevent your cakes from sticking to the pan and make them easier to remove.
- Preheat your oven: Make sure your oven is fully preheated before you put your cake in. This will help ensure even baking.
- Measure carefully: Baking is a science, so it’s important to measure your ingredients carefully to ensure the best results.
- Use baking soda and baking powder: These leavening agents are essential for making your cakes rise. Make sure you use the right amount for your recipe.
- Don’t overmix: Overmixing your batter can lead to tough, dense cakes. Mix just until everything is combined.
By following these tips and experimenting with different ingredients and techniques, you can create delicious plant-based cakes that are just as good (if not better!) than their traditional counterparts.
10 Delicious Plant-Based Cake Recipes
As someone who loves baking and experimenting with different flavors and ingredients, I have compiled a list of 10 delicious plant-based cake recipes that are sure to impress your taste buds. These cakes are not only vegan, but they are also moist, fluffy, and bursting with flavor. Whether you are looking for a classic chocolate cake or something more unique, there is something on this list for everyone.
1. Vegan Chocolate Cake
This recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie provides a simple and delicious vegan chocolate cake recipe that is fabulous for any situation. It is made with basic ingredients and can be easily customized to create different flavors. The recipe is dairy-free, egg-free, whole-grain and oil-free, and does not require any unusual ingredients like flax or chia eggs, avocado or black beans. The cake is moist and fluffy, and can be made into different flavors like Mounds Bar, Nutella, German Chocolate, Black Forest, Mocha, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake. The recipe is easy to follow and can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
2. Carrot Cake
This recipe from Minimalist Baker is for a vegan and gluten-free carrot cake that is a perfect crowd-pleaser. The cake is made with coconut oil, applesauce, flax eggs, maple syrup, and almond milk, and is sweetened with organic brown sugar and cane sugar. Almond flour and a gluten-free flour blend are used to give the cake a light and fluffy texture, while grated carrots add moisture and flavor. The recipe includes several frosting options, including a vegan cream cheese frosting. The cake is perfect for birthdays, summer celebrations, wedding showers, cookouts, and more. It’s moist, flavorful, and undetectably vegan and gluten-free. The recipe also includes nut-free, oil-free, and refined-sugar-free options.
3. Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
This recipe from Loving It Vegan is for a vegan lemon poppy seed cake that is light, fluffy, and moist with loads of lemon flavor and poppy seeds. The cake is topped with vegan lemon buttercream frosting and can be made as a two or three-layer cake. The recipe includes ingredient notes and substitutions, as well as baking and frosting tips. The cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week and is freezer-friendly for up to three months. The recipe is perfect for those who love lemon desserts and want a vegan and dairy-free option.
4. Lemon Blueberry Cake
This recipe from Rainbow Nourishments provides a simple and delicious vegan lemon blueberry cake recipe that is perfect for spring or summer. It uses only 7 ingredients and is fluffy, moist, and golden. The cake is not too sweet because the lemon balances out the sugar, and there’s no frosting. The cake is stackable for a layer cake, naturally eggless, and can be made gluten-free. The recipe is designed so the blueberries don’t sink to the bottom, and it’s incredibly easy to make. The recipe includes ingredient notes and substitutions, as well as baking and frosting tips. The cake can be customized to be refined sugar-free, gluten-free, or made with whole wheat or spelt flour. The recipe is perfect for those who love lemon and blueberry desserts and want a vegan and dairy-free option.
5. Chocolate Zucchini Cake
This recipe from The Almond Eater provides a delicious vegan chocolate zucchini cake recipe that is perfect for all chocolate lovers. It’s a three-layer cake that’s filled with smooth dairy-free chocolate buttercream and is made with zucchini to make it moist and flavorful. The recipe is similar to the popular vegan chocolate cake recipe, and the buttercream is similar to the one used in a gluten-free chocolate cake. The recipe is easy to follow, and the cake itself is moist and fluffy. The recipe includes ingredient notes and substitutions, as well as baking and frosting tips. The cake is perfect for celebrations or just as a sweet treat. It can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
6. Banana Bread Cake
This recipe from The Banana Diaries provides a simple and delicious vegan banana bread recipe that is simply mouth-watering! It’s made with mashed bananas, flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, dairy-free milk, vegan butter, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. The recipe is easy to follow, and the bread itself is moist and fluffy. The recipe includes ingredient notes and substitutions, as well as baking tips. The bread is perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert. It can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. The recipe is perfect for those who love banana bread and want a vegan and dairy-free option.
7. Strawberry Shortcake
This recipe from Rhian’s Recipes provides a simple and delicious gluten-free vegan strawberry shortcake recipe that is fantastic for summer. The shortcake is rich, “buttery,” and filled with fluffy coconut cream and sweet strawberries. It’s super easy to make as the recipe doesn’t require a rolling pin or cutting out shapes, and comes together in one bowl. The recipe is refined sugar-free, and the shortcake can be made with any type of oil, plant-based milk, or liquid sweetener. The recipe includes ingredient notes and substitutions, as well as serving suggestions and baking tips. The shortcake is best served sliced in half and sandwiched with coconut whipped cream and sliced fresh strawberries. It can be stored in an airtight container in a cool room for a couple of days and is perfect for afternoon tea or parties. The recipe is perfect for those who love strawberry shortcake and want a vegan and gluten-free option.
8. Almond Cake
This recipe from The Banana Diaries provides a simple and delicious vegan almond cake recipe that makes a healthy morning treat or snack. It’s made with only seven simple gluten-free ingredients, including oat flour, almond meal, ground flaxseed, dairy-free milk, coconut sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. The recipe also includes Yogi® Sweet Clementine Stress Support tea, which is steeped in the coconut milk to add flavor and zest to the cake. The cake is light, fluffy, and delicately sweet with a nutty flavor. The recipe is easy to follow and can be customized with different flavor variations, such as adding in fresh cherries, raspberries, or vegan chocolate chips. The cake is perfect for those who want a healthy and delicious vegan and gluten-free option.
9. Pumpkin Cheesecake
This recipe from Bakerita provides a delicious vegan and gluten-free baked pumpkin cheesecake recipe that is perfect for Thanksgiving — or any time of year. The cheesecake has a graham cracker-style crust made from almond flour, toasted pecans, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and coconut oil. The filling is made from raw cashews, vegan coconut yogurt, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, lemon juice, arrowroot starch, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, vanilla bean powder, and sea salt. The cheesecake is baked, which gives it a texture similar to pumpkin pie, but extra creamy and with a tangy cheesecake flavor. The recipe includes ingredient notes and substitutions, as well as baking and cooling tips. The cheesecake is perfect for those who want a vegan and gluten-free option for their Thanksgiving dessert. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week and is a great make-ahead dessert.
10. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
This recipe from Bianca Zapatka provides a delicious vegan chocolate peanut butter cake recipe that is particularly palatable. The cake is soft and moist, made with non-dairy milk, apple cider vinegar, all-purpose flour, organic cane sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, coconut oil, applesauce, vanilla extract, and strong brewed coffee. The cake is topped with a creamy peanut butter frosting made with non-dairy cream cheese, creamy peanut butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. The cake is then drizzled with a chocolate ganache and topped with salted peanuts. The recipe is easy to follow and can be customized with different flavor variations, such as adding caramel sauce or using gluten-free flour. The cake is perfect for those who want a vegan and dairy-free option for their dessert. The recipe includes ingredient notes and substitutions, as well as baking and assembly tips. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week and is a great make-ahead dessert.
Overall, these 10 plant-based cake recipes are not only delicious, but they are also healthy and easy to make. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a beginner, these cakes are sure to impress your friends and family. So why not give them a try?
Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope this article has inspired you to try out some delicious plant-based cake recipes for your next celebration or special occasion. As I mentioned earlier, plant-based cakes offer a range of benefits, including being healthier, more eco-friendly, and cruelty-free.
By following some simple tips for baking plant-based cakes, such as using plant-based substitutes for eggs and dairy, you can create cakes that are just as delicious and moist as their traditional counterparts. And with so many mouth-watering recipes to choose from, you’ll never run out of options.
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, holiday, Christmas, or New Year, there’s always a reason to indulge in a delicious cake. And with these plant-based recipes, you can enjoy your cake guilt-free, knowing that you’re doing your part for the environment and animal welfare.
So why not try out one of the 10 delicious plant-based cake recipes I’ve shared in this article? From chocolate strawberry cake to vanilla cake, there’s something for everyone. And if you have any other plant-based cake recipes you’d like to share, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
In case you don’t want to bake the cake from scratch, you can use a plant-based cake mix. For an instant option, pick a Wholefoods Vegan Cake from your nearest store and kick the party off!