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 817 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.

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.

Why are vegan cakes so dry? ›

If you have too much fat and too little milk and/or flour, you'll get a greasy cake. If you have too much milk and not enough fat, you'll end up with a gummy, dense cake. And if you use too little fat/liquid in general, or too much flour, your cake will be dry and crumbly, causing it to fall apart.

What is the secret to a fluffy cake? ›

The most crucial tip? Instead of buying an entire box of cake flour, simply incorporate two tablespoons of cornstarch into 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour. This blocks the formation of gluten in the flour, which produces a lighter, fluffier cake.

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.

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.

What do vegans use in place of butter? ›

What are good vegan butter substitutes? In baking, you can use vegan butter, applesauce, dairy-free yogurt, coconut oil, coconut butter, olive oil, nut butter, mashed banana and mashed avocado. In cooking, you can use olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable stock, or avocado oil to replace butter.

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? ›

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.

What to avoid when baking vegan? ›

Dairy, whether it's milk or yogurt or sour cream, helps keep baked goods moist. It's also unfortunately not vegan. But don't skimp on the creamy stuff—it really helps to make a dense and luscious-textured pastry. Experiment with alt-milks, like almond milk.

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.

How long does homemade vegan cake 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.

Why did my cake not fluff up? ›

If the oven is too hot, the cake will set too fast before the air bubbles have formed. If the oven is not hot enough, the cake will rise too much, then fall in the center before it is set. Bake a cake mix cake for a test run to check your oven temperature. (Make sure you've preheated your oven, too.)

Why is my cake dense and not fluffy? ›

A cake that bakes too slowly takes longer to set and may fall, causing a dense texture.

Why is my cake flat and not fluffy? ›

Overmixing ingredients can create a dense batter that doesn't get that same airy rise. Mismeasured baking powder (too much or too little) may also give you a flat cake. Make sure you have just the right amount of this leavening agent to give your cake the right lift.

Why is my cake dense and not spongy? ›

My cake is very dense.

This could be because a/ the cake mixture hasn't had enough air beaten into it, b/ the eggs were added too quickly and curdled or c/ there's not enough raising agent.

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