Celebrations call for cake, whether it’s Christmas, Mother’s Day, or a birthday, so I’ve rounded up 25 fantastic vegan cakes from around the internet!
While I love pretty much any dessert, there’s just something so special about a beautifully decorated cake. It’s like an elegant present, waiting to be unwrapped (and devoured).
But plant-based cakes can be a challenge. Without eggs, butter, or milk, they can often turn out dry as cardboard, too dense, or just lacking in flavor.
Which is why I’ve not only rounded up some excellent, well-reviewed vegan cakes, but also answered some frequently asked questions to ensure you absolutely slay your next cake baking adventure.
Choose from a range of special occasion layer cakes and casual sheet cakes, including several gluten-free options.
Happy baking!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you substitute eggs in vegan cakes?
There are several options, though my personal favorite is aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas. When it’s lightly whipped, it mimics the texture of beaten eggs quite well. It also adds a light, airy texture, which is perfect in cakes, which should generally be light and fluffy.
If you want to read more, I’ve got a whole blog post on substituting eggs in baking.
How do you substitute butter in vegan cakes?
Luckily, substituting butter is much easier than substituting eggs, as there are increasing numbers of excellent-quality vegan butters that bake very, very similar to dairy-based butter.
If you live in the U.S., Earth Balance buttery sticks are a widely available option that work really well.
How do you substitute milk, yogurt, or cream in vegan cakes?
This one is pretty easy too. I like to use oat milk or soy milk in baking because they have somewhat similar protein and fat levels to dairy milk. Always use full-fat or creamy varieties, not low-fat varieties. Cakes, and most baked goods in general, need a decent amount of fat to avoid that dry cardboard-y mouthfeel.
I find that oat milk leads to baked goods that brown the most (likely from the natural sugar content), whereas soy milk curdles when mixed with an acid like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, so it’s a great buttermilk sub.
For cream, canned coconut milk and coconut cream are usually the best options, given their fat content. A chilled can of coconut milk + sugar is all you ned for dairy-free whipped cream; you can find my simple recipe in my Strawberries and Cream Sheet Cake recipe below.
If a cake recipe calls for yogurt or sour cream, it’s likely because the creaminess keeps the cake moist. Look for plain-flavored vegan yogurts that are relatively creamy but not too thick. For sour cream, I like Kite Hill Foods, Follow Your Heart, and Tofutti brands (the latter is quite thick, so you may need to thin it out with water).
Is refined sugar vegan?
It depends. If you live in the U.S., most regular sugar is not vegan, as it’s refined through animal bone char. However, all refined sugars labeled organic in the U.S. are vegan, as they cannot contain animal products. So if you buy organic cane sugar, organic brown sugar, or organic powdered sugar, you’re safe.
There are a few brands of non-organic sugar in the U.S. that are certified vegan, including Zulka Morena and Whole Foods 365 Fair Trade Certified Vegan Sugar.
Does vegan cake contain gluten?
Usually, yes. Gluten comes from wheat, which is a plant-based product so most vegan cakes do contain gluten. The gluten in flour provides quite a bit of structure in vegan cakes, which lack some structure from not having eggs.
However, I’ve included several gluten-free vegan cake recipes in this roundup, so if you’ve got an allergy, just look out for the bolded “gluten-free” note in the recipe description.
Does vegan cake need to be refrigerated?
It depends. A standard frosted vanilla or chocolate cake can be stored at room temperature, covered, for several days. Cakes with fruit or cream cheese icings, however, should be refrigerated.
Lemon Olive Oil Cake
My vegan Lemon Olive Oil Cake is sweet-yet-tart, rich, zingy, and supremely lemony and is so tender and moist that it practically melts in your mouth. It’s easy to make and requires just 10 ingredients! Serve as a sweet snack or breakfast, or dress it up with the strawberry compote.
Vegan Cinnamon Roll Cake
Imagine a giant cinnamon roll except you don’t have to wait for the dough to rise and it’s easier to make! That’s exactly what my Vegan Cinnamon Roll Cake is! Buttery and rich yet light and fluffy thanks to a few secret ingredients and tricks!
Baked Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake
My Baked Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake is a crowd-pleasing chocolate cheesecake that no one will ever guess is vegan! Rich and dense and creamy, just like traditional cheesecake, this chocolate cheesecake is dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free.
Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Layer Cake
My Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Layer Cake is light, moist and tender, and a complete show stopper. A fluffy vegan layer cake with layers of tangy blackberry ginger jam and a decadent vegan cream cheese frosting. Perfect for holidays and special occasions!
No-Bake Vegan Cheesecake
This no-baked Vegan Cheesecake from Christina of Addicted to Dates has a buttery no-bake base and creamy vanilla cheesecake filling. It’s the perfect summer dessert for when you don’t want to turn on the oven! GF option.
Berry Cornmeal Cake
This gluten-free Berry Cornmeal Cake from Rachel of Bakerita is soft, fluffy, gluten-free, and vegan! Use your favorite berries for this simple summer cake recipe. Ready in 30 minutes!
Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake
Here’s a recipe for vegan gluten-free chocolate cake by Gwen of Delightful Adventures that’s rich, moist, delicious and perfect for any celebration. It’s very easy to make and can be frosted with any type of buttercream you like.
Vegan Hummingbird Cake
A deliciously spiced layer cake stuffed to bursting with pineapple, banana and pecans then sandwiched together with decadent cream cheese frosting by Melanie of A Virtual Vegan. Your friends and family will be hovering around it like little hummingbirds!
Vegan Mango Cake
Fluffy and soft vegan mango cake packed with fresh mango and lots of flavor by Anthea of Rainbow Nourishments! This easy cake uses less than 10 ingredients and comes together in one bowl.
Vegan Strawberries and Cream Sheet Cake
Made with fresh strawberries and a 2-ingredient coconut whipped cream, my Vegan Strawberries and Cream Sheet Cake is light yet indulgent and so flavorful. Made in a sheet pan so it’s an easy, fuss-free dessert that’ll please the whole family!
Vegan Salted Pretzel Cake
This Salted Pretzel Cake from Holly of The Little Blog of Vegan is an absolute dream. It features vanilla pretzel sponge cakes, layers of salted caramel buttercream, caramel sauce, and is decorated with giant salted pretzels.
Fluffy Vegan Gingerbread Cake
Here’s my recipe for the BEST vegan gingerbread cake you’ll try! It’s incredibly fluffy and tender, uses simple ingredients, and features a homemade gingerbread spice blend and vanilla cream sauce that take it over the top. A must make during the holiday season!
