It is a mere myth that a vegan chocolate cake can’t be rich, moist, and indulgent etc. The myth buster? Try our recipe and you will get all these qualities in your cake.
Our very easy chocolate cake recipe is a total game-changer. It’s rich, soft, and packed with deep chocolate flavor. An even better fact is that it is 100% dairy-free, egg-free, and simple to make.
Now that you have landed here, let us tell you everything you need to know to bake the best vegan chocolate cake from scratch, and that means no weird ingredients, no complicated steps. Just a solid, go-to chocolate dessert recipe you can rely on whenever you would like to bake a vegan chocolate cake.
Why Make This Vegan Chocolate Cake?
There are a lot of vegan dessert ideas out there, but most of them involve long ingredient lists or fancy substitutions. Not this one. This cake is:
- Easy: Made in one bowl, no mixer required.
- Quick: Preps in about 10 minutes.
- Affordable: Uses pantry staples.
- Rich and fluffy: Like the kind you’d expect at a fancy bakery.
- Dairy-free and egg-free: Perfect for anyone avoiding animal products.
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The Secret to the Best Vegan Chocolate Cake
We’ve tested and tweaked this recipe over and over. What makes it work so well is a simple baking trick: blooming the cocoa.
By mixing cocoa with boiling water, you release its full flavor. This little step takes your cake from basic to bold. It’s a bakery secret that delivers that deep, chocolatey punch, without using melted chocolate or pricey ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This easy cake recipe with few ingredients comes together with simple pantry staples. Here’s what you need for the cake:
Chocolate Cake:
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk or almond milk
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup canola oil (or melted coconut oil)
- ⅔ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Chocolate Frosting:
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups vegan butter (sticks work best)
- 4–5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼–½ cup unsweetened soy or almond milk
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How to Make the Cake – Step by Step
Our recipe for homemade chocolate cake is great for everyone, be you’re a beginner or a professional who has been baking cakes before as well. And, if you are a newbie and you have been searching for some easy cake recipes for beginners, this one checks every box.
Step 1: Prepare Your Utensils (pans)
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8- or 9-inch cake pans with oil and put a parchment paper on the bottom.
Step 2: Make Vegan Buttermilk
Take a small bowl, pour in your plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar. Stir and put the mixture aside to set properly. This helps the cake rise and adds tenderness.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
Next, take another large bowl. Mix together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
After that, add oil, applesauce, vanilla, and the milk-vinegar mix to the dry ingredients. Mix all of them on medium speed with a hand or stand mixer until it gets smooth.
Step 5: Add Boiling Water
Slowly pour in boiling water. Mix patiently until the batter is thin and combined. Don’t worry if the texture gets runny because it is normal.
Step 6: Bake
Pour the properly mixed batter evenly into your pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove it and let it cool completely.
How to Make Vegan Chocolate Frosting
This creamy, dreamy frosting is rich but not too sweet. It pairs perfectly with the cake’s soft texture.
Step-by-Step Frosting:
- Whisk cocoa powder in a large bowl to remove clumps.
- Add softened vegan butter. Mix until smooth.
- Add half the powdered sugar and half the milk. Beat until combined.
- Add remaining sugar, vanilla, and more milk as needed. Whip until fluffy.
If the frosting is too stiff, add more milk (1 tbsp at a time). If it’s too soft, add a bit more sugar.
Tips for a Perfect Vegan Cake Every Time
Making a moist, soft, eggless cake can be tricky at first. Here are some tips to avoid common pitfalls:
- Don’t skip the vinegar: It reacts with baking soda to help the cake rise.
- Use boiling water: This blooms the cocoa and adds moisture.
- Stick with applesauce: It replaces eggs and keeps things tender.
- Let it cool completely before frosting. Otherwise, your buttercream will melt.
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Fun Variations to Try
One thing we love about this vegan cake recipe is how flexible it is. You can easily customize it:
- Fruit-topped: Add sliced strawberries, raspberries, or cherries on top.
- Layered filling: Try a raspberry or vanilla frosting between layers.
- Bundt-style: Bake in a bundt pan for about 45 minutes.
- Sheet cake: Use a 9×13 pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.
- Cupcakes: Fill liners halfway and bake for 20–25 minutes.
Why This Cake Is a Favorite (Even for Non-Vegans)
This isn’t just a vegan dessert idea, it’s a crowd-pleaser. People often can’t tell it’s dairy-free. It’s been tested at birthdays, family events, and potlucks. Everyone asks for seconds.
You might be dairy-free by choice, allergic, or just trying something new; this cake proves you don’t have to compromise on flavor.
According to a study in 2022, plant-based diets can provide all the nutrients needed for good health and can lower the risk of chronic disease. So not only is this cake indulgent, it also fits into a compassionate, health-forward lifestyle.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- Make Ahead: Bake layers a day ahead and store wrapped at room temp.
- Freeze: Wrap unfrosted cakes and freeze up to 3 months.
- Fridge: Frosted cake stays fresh for 4–5 days when covered.
Nutritional Breakdown (Approximate)
- Calories: 496 per slice
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 71g
- Sugar: 53g
- Protein: 4g
This may not be low-calorie, but it’s a rich, satisfying dairy-free dessert made without animal products.
Why It’s One of the Best Easy Cake Recipes
There are tons of easy cake recipes out there, but this one’s special. It’s beginner-friendly, customizable, and foolproof. It uses just one bowl, takes minimal effort, and gives maximum results.
It’s also perfect for anyone searching for:
- Easy cake recipes with few ingredients
- Chocolate dessert recipes
- Vegan cake recipes
- Easy cake recipes for beginners
Needless to say that…
This vegan chocolate cake is proof that plant-based baking can be just as rich, decadent, and satisfying as any traditional dessert. It’s moist, chocolatey, and perfect for every occasion, from birthdays to just-because.
Give it a try, and you’ll never struggle to make the perfect homemade chocolate cake again.
Even if you’re not vegan, this is one recipe worth bookmarking. Who doesn’t want a go-to easy chocolate cake recipe that’s rich, quick, and totally dairy-free?
Let us know how it turns out for you. And don’t forget to share it, because this cake is too good to keep to yourself.
