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

What is vegan chocolate cake made of? ›

Sift flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Add water, oil, vanilla, and vinegar; mix together until smooth. Pour mixture into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.

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.

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.

Does vegan cake taste good? ›

Vegan cakes maintain the flavor and texture of regular cakes; this makes them an excellent alternative to anyone who would usually be inclined to eat unhealthy desserts.

Is vegan cake healthier than regular cake? ›

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.

How healthy is vegan cake? ›

The good news is that vegan cakes don't contain cholesterol at all since plant-based foods are generally free from it. Also, if you replace butter, cream and milk with healthier ingredients such as soy or almond milk, oil and soft tofu, then you'll also considerably reduce your intake of saturated fat.

Why do vegan cakes need vinegar? ›

I know it may seem strange to add vinegar to baked goods, but just think of it as a chemical reaction. The baking soda in your recipe needs a little acid to help it start reacting (bubbling). That's why recipes will call for things like lemon juice or buttermilk.

Why is my vegan cake too moist? ›

If you're adding things like fruit to the batter it can release juices during baking that can make cakes soggy. I usually reduce my water and oil content a little when I bake these types of cakes.

Why does my vegan cake taste bitter? ›

Why does an eggless cake turn bitter? (It is mostly the overuse of baking powder/soda, but it has happened twice, even after reducing the baking powder.) Yes , usually its because of baking soda , but if you are making a chocolate cake and using cocoa powder , excess of same could cause the bitterness to occur.

Do vegan cakes have more sugar? ›

No, vegan cakes don't typically have more sugar than regular cakes. The same goes for saturated fats.

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.

How long do vegan cakes last? ›

Storing Unfrosted and Uncut Vegan Cakes

If you have made your sponge with vegan butter it will keep in a good tasting condition for about five days. We recommend only keeping it like this for three to be on the safe side. If you have used oil in your baking this will add about two days to the shelf life.

Do vegans eat eggs? ›

A vegan diet includes only plant foods—fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds. People who follow a vegan diet don't eat any animal foods, including dairy, eggs, and honey. About 3% of Americans follow a vegan diet.

Should a vegan cake be refrigerated? ›

Here are some guidelines: 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.

Can vegans eat chocolate? ›

While dark chocolate is usually vegan-friendly, milk and white chocolate typically are not. Milk Chocolate, as the name implies, contains dairy, making it not vegan, unless it is made with a nondairy milk like oat milk or almond milk. White Chocolate also frequently contains dairy products.

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.

What is the difference between a vegan cake and a regular cake? ›

To put it simply, a vegan cake is a cake that doesn't contain any animal-derived ingredients, most notably eggs, milk, and other dairy products. In 'regular' cakes, eggs and dairy products are among the key ingredients used to create the sponge and icing, and often decorations, too.

What is vegan baking ingredients? ›

Plant-based substitutes: Vegan baking often involves using ingredients like plant-based milk (e.g., almond milk, soy milk, oat milk), vegetable oils, nut butters, applesauce, mashed bananas, or tofu as replacements for dairy and eggs. These substitutes provide moisture, fat, and binding properties necessary in baking.

What is vegan chocolate like? ›

Does vegan chocolate taste better than non-vegan? The reason why we think this is because when a company is made up of mostly vegans, they're able to get a better grasp on how to produce a healthier product that also tastes amazing. Vegan chocolate is often richer, creamier, and less sweet than non-vegan chocolate!

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