Cakes, Healthy Baking

Beyond Moist Vegan Chocolate Cake

4.81 from 67 votes
All the chocolate cake you love, but none of the dairy! Make my Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe and you'll never go without again.
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Hi Bold Bakers!

Who out there loves chocolate cake? Who out there is vegan? Well if you raised your hands to any of those things than this recipe is for you! Absolutely irresistible, this cake is not just for vegans but for everyone. Try it once and vegan or not, this will be your go-to chocolate cake recipe for special occasions, or a Tuesday night watching Fixer Upper on HGTV.

Made with vegan butter and no egg this is a lovely alternative to a traditional cake made with dairy as it tastes the exact same. I dare any sophisticated cake eater out there to taste the difference.

The secret to the moist rich texture of this Vegan Chocolate Cake is an ingredient you may have never put in a chocolate cake before: apple cider vinegar. While you CANNOT taste the flavor of the vinegar at all it really helps to tenderize the cake, specifically the flour. If you’ve never baked with vinegar before you’re just going to have to trust me as it really makes all the difference.

This cake packs a crazy chocolate punch and it does not stop there. I complete this cake with a vegan chocolate frosting made of lovely rich coconut cream, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. You may recognize this recipe as it is my staple dairy-free frosting that I also used on my Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake. Vegan or not if you’re looking for an amazing chocolate cake recipe you are going to love this Vegan Chocolate Cake.

What Are Vegan Cakes Made Of?

Very simply, dairy-free versions of regular cake ingredients. Vegan butter is subbed for dairy butter, and a combo of oil, dairy-free milk, and apple cider vinegar replace the eggs. This just shows you that changing a recipe to suit your dietary needs is really quite simple. Something that may help is my 7 Best Egg Substitute Chart.

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How Long Does Vegan Cake Last?

Cake is cake and no matter what it’s made of and it should be stored the same way. This cake can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you store it in the fridge just let it come to room temperature before eating as it will taste so much better.

Try These Chocolate Recipes, Too!

Don’t forget to follow Bigger Bolder Baking on Pinterest!

Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipe

4.81 from 67 votes
All the chocolate cake you love, but none of the dairy! Make my Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe and you'll never go without again.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 10
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
All the chocolate cake you love, but none of the dairy! Make my Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe and you'll never go without again.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 10

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups (12.5oz/355g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups (20oz/565g) white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/4 cups (5oz/143g) cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 3/4 cups (22floz/ 620ml) non dairy milk
  • 2/3 cups (5floz/170ml) oil*
  • 1/2 cup (4oz/115g) vegan butter , melted
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/3 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • Vegan Chocolate Fudge Frosting:
  • 2 (14oz) cans coconut cream , cold
  • 1 1/2 cups (6oz/170g) cocoa powder , sifted
  • 2 cups (8oz/230g) confectioners’ sugar , sifted

Instructions

  • For the Vegan Chocolate Cake:
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) then butter and line two 9 Inch Cake Pans. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt.
  • In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the non-dairy milk, oil, vegan butter, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla.
  • Slowly whisk the milk mixture into the flour mixture until just incorporated. Don’t over mix as it can toughen the cake.
  • Divide the batter into the prepared pans.
  • Bake the cakes for about 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  • Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool slightly until turning out onto a wire rack to cool fully. If your cakes have a large dome, use a serrated knife and level off the tops of the cakes.
  • For the Vegan Chocolate Fudge Frosting:
  • Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or a handheld electric mixer, whip the coconut cream until very light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Slowly add in the confectioners’ sugar and beat until stiff peaks.
  • Gradually add the cocoa powder and continue to whip until a thick rich frosting forms.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before using so the frosting is firm enough to spread.
  • To Assemble the Cake:
  • Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake pedestal.
  • Put a dollop of frosting in the center of the cake. With an offset spatula, spread it all the way to the edges of the cake, creating an even layer of frosting.
  • Top with the second cake layer and spread another big dollop of frosting on top, smoothing it out with the spatula. Frost the sides of the cake.
  • Decorate with some sprinkles and enjoy! Store the cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Recipe Notes

Note: For oil use a lightly flavored oil like vegetable, canola, coconut or something similar.
Keep the frosting chilled as it can soften quickly. 
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mums buns
3 years ago

Used this for cupcakes sold at local shop theyflew off the shelves

Tina Cooper
Tina Cooper
3 years ago

Made this recipe into cupcakes sold at local shop they went down a storm!

Srishti Agarwal
Srishti Agarwal
3 years ago

Hi Gemma! I was wondering if I can make this cake in a bundt pan. If I can, how do I go about this recipe and what temperature do i bake this?

Beverley Stephenson
Beverley Stephenson
3 years ago

Hi Gemma, can I substitute the flour with any gluten free flours?

Adele
Adele
1 year ago

Hi Jemma, I will be making this cake in 8 inch cake pans. Do I need to adjust the cook time and temperature? Thanks.

Marianne
Marianne
1 year ago

Hi. Can I bake the batter as mini-cupcakes?

Ritianne
Ritianne
2 years ago

Thank you for the recipe. So happy that we can bake our own scrumptious egg free cake.

Carol
Carol
2 years ago

Being a chocolate lover, this is on my list to make next. I have tried many of your recipes and they never fail. Many thanks Gemma.

Rachel Meadows
Rachel Meadows
2 years ago

Can I make this cake in an 8 “ tin

Sean
Sean
2 years ago

I haven’t made these yet. I was just wondering as this cake is vegan do you still get the really umami beef-y taste that is normally in my cupcakes? Thanks

This Recipe Made By Bold Bakers

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Jenny Golledge

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About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

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