Vegan Chocolate Cake | Easy One Bowl Recipe (2024)

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 820 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!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsem*nt, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.

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.

What are vegan cake mixes? ›

A Short List of Vegan Cake Mix Options
  • Duncan Hines Decadent Carrot.
  • Duncan Hines Red Velvet.
  • Betty Crocker Super Moist French Vanilla.
  • Betty Crocker German Chocolate.

How healthy is vegan cake? ›

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.

What is the secret to a very fluffy cake? ›

Most cakes begin with creaming butter and sugar together. Butter is capable of holding air and the creaming process is when butter traps that air. While baking, that trapped air expands and produces a fluffy cake. No properly creamed butter = no air = no fluffiness.

What ingredient makes cake Fluffy? ›

Cakes and pastries are fluffy and light in nature due to the presence of baking soda in it. When baking soda is combined with both an acidic ingredient and a liquid, it becomes activated. Upon activation, Carbon dioxide is produced, which allows baked products to rise and become light and fluffy.

What is left out of vegan cake? ›

A vegan cake contains no ingredients from animals. So there's no eggs, and no dairy. A vegan cake is either designed to not need these ingredients, or it will contain comparable plant based ingredients, like soy yogurt instead of dairy yoghurt, or a margarine made from vegetables oils instead of butter.

Is vegan cake healthier than regular cake? ›

So, vegan cakes are generally healthier because they: don't contain cholesterol. are mostly lower in saturated fat (unless they contain a lot of palm or coconut oil) are made without eggs and dairy, so they're generally lower in total fat and calories.

Do vegan cakes taste different? ›

Yes, vegan cakes taste very good. The main difference with a Vegan cake is it made without eggs, dairy butter or dairy milk.

Which chocolate cake mix is vegan? ›

Simple Mills sells plant-based Vanilla and Chocolate cake mixes that can both be made vegan using a vegan egg substitute in the recipe. The mixes themselves are already gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, and made with no harmful chemicals or preservatives.

Is Dolly Parton cake mix vegan? ›

Both cake mixes are vegan, though they required some easy plant-based subs for fresh ingredients. In the coconut cake, for example, the milk can be swapped for coconut milk, the butter for vegan butter or coconut oil, and eggs for any egg replacement.

How do vegans replace eggs in baking? ›

One of the most popular egg substitutes in vegan baking is a flax egg. This is made by combining ground (not whole) flax seeds with water and leaving to sit for 15 minutes until the mixture becomes thick, almost the same consistency as a regular egg.

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.

Can diabetics eat vegan cake? ›

While vegan cakes offer healthier alternatives for individuals with diabetes, portion control remains essential. Being mindful of serving sizes and monitoring carbohydrate intake is crucial in managing blood sugar levels.

Do vegan cakes have more sugar? ›

Just as with traditional cakes, vegan cakes still contain sugar and fat, which are key ingredients for creating that oh-so-satisfying indulgent treat. But they don't usually contain any more or any less of these ingredients than regular cakes.

Why is my cake flat and not fluffy? ›

If you end up with a flat cake, there are a few possible causes. Overbeating the flour will overwork its gluten, so fold in dry ingredients with a light hand. Remember to add the raising agent – self-raising flour already contains this, but if you use any other flour you need to mix in baking powder.

Why is my cake dense instead of fluffy? ›

One of the key factors that can lead to dense cakes is the incorrect ratio of ingredients. Baking is a science, and even a small deviation from the recipe can have a big impact on the final texture of your cake. Too much flour or not enough leavening agents like baking powder can result in a dense cake.

How to get vegan cakes to rise? ›

Here are some tips for you:
  1. Try the "reverse creaming" method. ...
  2. Use vegan protein powder as your egg replacer. ...
  3. To make the cake rise, I use baking powder(in the dry ingredients); then sparkling water+vinegar (added later, these are your liquids).
Jun 12, 2022

Why is my vegan cake stodgy? ›

There's too much liquid in the batter

However, if you add too much, your vegan cake will turn out dense and stodgy. The fat-to-flour-to-vegan milk ratio has to be perfectly balanced. Too much or too little of one ingredient can cause a baking fail.

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