Vegan Chocolate Cake | Easy One Bowl Recipe (2024)

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This vegan chocolate cake has NO eggs, NO butter, and NO milk and yet is the best and easiest vegan cake recipes you’ll ever make- Even non-vegans approve!

Vegan Chocolate Cake | Easy One Bowl Recipe (1)

The Best Vegan Chocolate Cake

Everyone needs a staple cake in their repertoire.

If you are looking for a vegan chocolate cake recipe that tastes like an actual cake, you’ve come to the right place. Just like my vegan brownies and vegan chocolate chip cookies, this one tastes just like the real thing, if not better!

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Why you’ll love this recipe

  • One bowl. No fancy mixers and or gadgets needed- Just one mixing bowl. Seriously, you’ll love how the clean up afterward takes seconds.
  • EASY ingredients. This vegan cake uses pantry staple ingredients, ones you probably have in your kitchen right now! No flax eggs, no egg substitutes, and NO vegan butter.
  • 30 minutes. Seriously. You can have a cake prepared and made in under 30 minutes. There is no creaming of ingredients, no preparing dry or wet ingredients separately- NONE of that.
  • Super moist and fluffy– This cake is extra moist and fluffy, something many assume is impossible with a vegan cake.

What I love about this cake is that it’s a huge hit amongst those who aren’t even vegan- I’ve had tons of friends request one for their celebrations (and they are massive carnivores!). The texture is super moist and fluffy in the middle, topped with creamy vegan frosting. It’s sweet and full of chocolate flavor, you’ll find it hard to stop at one slice.

What is vegan chocolate cake made of?

You will love the very basic ingredient list to make this recipe. It uses pantry staples, so you should have everything in your pantry as we speak! Here is what you’ll need:

  • All-purpose flour.Also known as plain flour. Be sure to sift the flour very well, to ensure there are no clumps throughout.
  • Sugar.Use raw white sugar, which is the best sugar to use on a vegan diet. White or brown sugar can often be made using bone marrow, so use the purest forms.
  • Cocoa powder.Dutch processed and 100% unsweetened cocoa powder. For a richer flavor, you can use dark cocoa powder.
  • Baking soda.The leavening agent used to give the cake some fluffiness and rise. It also reacts with the vinegar to replicate eggs.
  • Salt. Balances out all the sweet ingredients.
  • Apple cider vinegar.Or white vinegar. Reacts with the baking soda.
  • Vanilla extract. A must for any delicious cake!
  • Vegetable oil.Or any neutral flavored oil. Keeps the cake moist and fluffy in the middle.
  • Water.To mix everything together. You can also use a plant based milk if you prefer.
  • Chocolate frosting.What is a cake without a thick and rich chocolate frosting?

How to make it

Simple is an understatement for this recipe. Everything is made in one bowl and the entire baking time is less than 30 minutes! Ready to make a cake?

Step 1- Make the caker batter.

Start by adding the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix until combined. Add the wet ingredients and whisk together until a smooth batter remains.

Step 2- Bake the cake

Next, transfer the cake batter into a greased cake pan and bake for 27-30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

Step 3- Frost it

Now, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool completely before frosting.

Vegan Chocolate Cake | Easy One Bowl Recipe (2)

Tips to make the recipe

  • This recipe makes a single layer cake with frosting. For a two layer or three layer cake, double/triple the ingredients.
  • Do not over-bake the cake. Remember, the cake continues to bake while it is cooling in the pan.
  • We must cool completely your cake before frosting it, otherwise, it will seep off the cake.
  • The secret to a super moist vegan cake is using a neutral oil. For an oil-free or lower fat cake, make a healthy chocolate cake instead.

Storage instructions

Wondering what is the best way to store leftovers? Here are best practices for cake storage:

  • To store:Chocolate cake will keep at room temperature for up to 5 days, covered. However, if you frost the cake, it should be stored in the fridge. If refrigerated, it will keep fresh for up to 2 weeks.
  • To freeze:Place leftover slices in a shallow container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Vegan Chocolate Cake | Easy One Bowl Recipe (3)

More vegan cake recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Ice cream cake
  • Snickers cake
  • Lemon cake
  • Lemon blueberry cake
  • Death by chocolate cake

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vegan cake healthier than regular cake?

Although vegan cakes don’t use dairy or eggs, they still contain plenty of sugar and/or oil. Because of this, it doesn’t make it any healthier than a regular cake.

Can I make this oil-free?

To make this an oil-free chocolate cake, sub out the oil for unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana.

Can I make this gluten free?

Swap out the all purpose flour for a gluten free blend (with added xanthan gum) for this cake to be suitable for celiacs.

Vegan Chocolate Cake | Easy One Bowl Recipe (4)

Vegan Chocolate Cake | Easy One Bowl Recipe

5 from 822 votes

This vegan chocolate cake is so moist and fluffy, it's truly the BEST vegan cake recipe. NO eggs, no milk, and no butter needed, it's ready in 30 minutes!

Servings: 12 slices

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line an 8-inch springform pan or cake pan with parchment paper and set aside.

  • In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients and mix well. Add the wet ingredients and mix until a smooth batter remains.

  • Transfer to the lined pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer comes out just clean.

  • Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, frost the cake.

Notes

To make a layer cake or triple layer cake, double and triple the ingredients, respectively.

* Any oil works- Vegetable oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, coconut oil etc.

TO STORE: Chocolate cake will keep at room temperature for up to 5 days, covered. However, if you frost the cake, it should be stored in the fridge. If refrigerated, it will keep fresh for up to 2 weeks.

TO FREEZE: Place leftover slices in a shallow container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 189kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSodium: 204mgPotassium: 44mgFiber: 1gCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 29g

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Arman Liew

Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Vegan Chocolate Cake | Easy One Bowl Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my vegan cake not fluffy? ›

CAKE NOT RISING

This can be caused by a few things already mentioned such as using the wrong egg replacer or over mixing. I always recommend using fresh raising agents. Generally, baking soda and baking powder only stay active for 3 months after opening.

What is a vegan cake made of? ›

Vegan cake is cake made without eggs, dairy butter or dairy milk. Each of these standard ingredients is easily replaced by plant-based substitutes, such as banana or flaxseed for eggs, non-trans fat margarine or oils for butters and plant milks for milk.

Are vegan cakes healthier than normal cakes? ›

Some health benefits of choosing vegan cakes over regular cakes include: Plant-based products are healthier. Animal fats are definitely unhealthy and responsible for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, etc. Plant-based fats have no cholesterol which is much healthier for you.

Why does my vegan cake sink in the middle? ›

5. My cake has sunk in the middle. There are three main reasons for this: a/ the oven door has been opened before the cake has set, b/ the cake didn't go in the oven as soon as the mixture was ready or c/ there's too much raising agent.

What is the secret to light fluffy cakes? ›

Leavening agents, such as baking powder and baking soda, play a crucial role in making cakes rise and achieve a fluffy texture. These agents produce carbon dioxide gas when combined with liquid and heat, creating air pockets that lighten the batter.

What makes a cake dense and not fluffy? ›

There's a big chance your butter and sugar will over-cream, meaning the butter will trap more air than it should. As the batter bakes, that extra air will deflate and leave you with an overly dense cake. It's all science! For best results, cream butter and sugar together for about 1-2 minutes.

What is left out of vegan cake? ›

Vegan baking, on the other hand, omits all animal products. While baking without eggs and butter can seem daunting, it's not impossible. All it takes is getting familiar with the right substitutions, and you'll be whipping up cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and more in no time.

Do vegan cakes taste different? ›

No they can be very nice if made correctly. The only difference between a Vagan and a normal cake is Vegans use alternatives to milk, butter and eggs, Eggs is what give normal cakes their lift (extra rise) milk and butter can easily be substituted.

Is vegan cake healthy? ›

Are vegan cakes healthier than non-vegan cakes, you may ask? For the most part, not really; while the removal of butter can mean less saturated fat, the vegan friendly replacement, often cocoa butter, can be similar in saturated fat levels.

What is the healthiest cake in the world? ›

What Type of Cake is Healthy?
  1. Angel Food Cake. Angel food cake is healthy because It does not contain egg yolk and butter. ...
  2. 2 . Flourless Chocolate Cake. ...
  3. 3 . Protein Mug Cake. ...
  4. 4 . Homemade Strawberry Shortcake. ...
  5. 5 . Sugar-Free Carrot and Date Cake. ...
  6. 6 . Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. ...
  7. 7 . Cheesecake. ...
  8. 8 . Red Velvet Cake.

Why are vegan cakes so expensive? ›

Ingredient Costs:Vegan cakes rely on alternative ingredients such as plant-based milk, egg substitutes, and non-dairy butter, which can be more expensive than their conventional counterparts. Ingredients like almond flour, coconut oil, or specialty vegan chocolate may also contribute to higher costs.

Is vegan cake bad for cholesterol? ›

First of all, vegan cakes are made without any animal products. This means that they are typically lower in cholesterol and saturated fat. They're also often made with healthier oils and natural sweeteners, making them a better choice for those trying to watch their sugar-saturated fat intake.

Why do vegan cakes crack? ›

Why do cakes crack when baking? A: Oven too hot or cake placed too high in oven; the crust is formed too soon, the cake continues to rise, therefore the crust cracks.

Is vegan baking hard? ›

If you're inspired by all of the amazing vegan baking options out there and want to get creative in the kitchen, we're here to help on that front, too. Vegan baking can be tough to get to grips with, but as soon as you do, you'll never look back.

Can you leave vegan cake out? ›

Room Temperature: Most vegan cakes stay fresh for 2-3 days at room temperature. After this time, they may start to dry out or lose their moisture. Refrigeration: Storing a vegan cake in the refrigerator can extend its freshness to about 4-5 days.

Why are vegan cakes dense? ›

Vegan cakes can sometimes be denser than their non-vegan counterparts due to the absence of certain ingredients that contribute to the structure and texture of traditional cakes. Eggs, in particular, provide leavening, moisture, and binding properties in conventional cakes.

Why didn't my eggless cake rise? ›

There could be various reasons, like you are not properly sifting the dry ingredients, or mixing the dry and wet ingredients too thoroughly. Or maybe the egg substitute is being too heavy. Make sure that the baking powder isn't too old or hasn't become moistened.

Why is my eggless cake rubbery? ›

Why is my Eggless Cake rubbery? Your Eggless Cake can be rubbery for two main reasons: overmixing the batter and using too much flour. Overmixing develops tough gluten (elastic protein in flour), while too much flour adds density.

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