This is the best Vegan Vanilla Cake recipe! Trust me. It doesn't have any unusual ingredients and it's very easy to make. Plus, it's light, fluffy and nobody would guess that it's vegan. Perfect as a vegan birthday cake.
Vegan vanilla cake
I'm going out on a limb here and calling this cake the BEST (*toots own trumpet*) vegan vanilla cake recipe.
I based the recipe on the one for my vegan chocolate cake that has been made by many many readers.
You've kindly written to me in droves telling me how much you loved it. I've had such wonderful feedback on that cake, so I thought I'd create this vanilla version.
And it certainly didn't disappoint.
It's light, fluffy, full of tasty vanilla flavor and it's MOIST! I know, most people think that a vegan cake will be dry and horrible. But this cake will show you that it doesn't have to be true.
This cake has no unusual ingredients, and nobody will guess that it's vegan. It's just a delicious 2 tier vegan vanilla cake from scratch. You'll love it.
This recipe was originally posted on 14 June 2017. Updated 15 July 2020 with new text and images.
Reader testimonials
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I made this vegan vanilla cake yesterday and it was amazing! It’s my new go-to birthday cake recipe". - Jem
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The best vegan cake I’ve made so far!!! So light and moist, and with a very delicate vanilla flavour. I definitely recommend this recipe!" - Chantal
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I just made this vegan cake for the second time. Amazing. Will make it again!" - Ted
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I used the ingredients for vegan vanilla cake but I doubled ingredients and made my daughter a four tier rainbow 18th birthday cake I covered it with chocolate frosting. It was a hit again everyone loved it. It’s really rich and moist." - Jodi
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Made this cake yesterday and it was amazing! I can’t believe how well and fluffy it turned out!! And best of all you can’t tell it’s any different to a non-vegan cake!!" - Hannah
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This is the first time I have made a vegan cake… it was delicious all my family loved it. I’ll definitely be making it again !" - Juliette
Vegan birthday cake
This vegan cake recipe is really easy to make and it's perfect as a vegan birthday cake because it's a two-tier vegan layer cake.
Just double the recipe for a four layer cake, or increase the recipe by 50% for three layers!
So, go on, bake this cake and tell me what you think. Is it really the best?
You can decorate it with berries or go for it with the sprinkles or funfetti. Add some candles and you have a decadent, delicious, easy vegan birthday cake!
No unusual ingredients
I love making cakes, but I hate it when I need to seek out expensive unusual ingredients first.
So, this dairy-free sponge cake doesn't need any unusual egg or dairy substitutes like flax or chia.
It's just a super-easy, light and fluffy vanilla cake that's vegan that can be made with pantry ingredients.
Trust me, nobody will guess that it's vegan.
Why is this the BEST vegan vanilla cake?
- Quick and easy to make
- No unusual ingredients
- Light, fluffy texture
- Perfect as a vegan birthday cake
- Delicious delicate vanilla flavour
- Nobody will guess that it’s vegan
- Lovingly homemade from scratch
How to make this recipe: step by step tutorial
1: Stir the lemon juice (or vinegar) into the dairy free milk (I used soy, but almond, rice, oat etc... all work) and set aside so it thickens slightly into 'buttermilk'.
2: Melt the dairy-free butter (Earth Balance, Vitalite etc...) and syrup (golden, corn or maple) together.
3: Sift the flour, caster sugar, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl.
4: Stir the melted dairy free butter mixture and milk mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir to combine.
5: Pour into the prepared baking pans and bake for 35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick or skewer comes out clean.
7: Allow to cool completely then top with the vegan frosting.
Cook's Tips:
- Don't over-mix the batter when adding the wet ingredients to dry. Combine well, but don't beat.
- Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the frosting for a wintery flavour or the zest of a lemon for something zingy. You could also try my vegan cream cheese frosting.
- Increase the ingredients by an extra 50% for a three layer cake.
- Turn this into vegan cupcakes by filling the cups of a lined muffin pan and bake for 15-20 mins (or make my vegan vanilla cupcakes).
Storage and freezing
- This vegan cake is freezable: you can freeze the un-frosted cakes for up to 1 month. Wrap them well and freeze them. Then let them defrost and add your favorite frosting.
- The frosted cake is best stored on the kitchen counter for up to 5 days. You don’t need to tightly wrap it, but a cake tin will ensure the cut edges don’t dry out and keep it clean.
- You can store un-frosted cake layers, well wrapped, on the kitchen counter for up to 5 days. If you need to keep them longer than that, freeze them.
More vegan cake recipes
- Vegan Chocolate Cake
- Vegan Victoria Sponge
- Carrot Cake (vegan)
- Vegan Lemon Cake
- Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
- Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Vegan Black Forest Cake
Get the recipe
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you!
Leave a comment and star rating below and share a picture with the hashtag #veggiedesserts. I love seeing your recreations of my vegetarian and vegan recipes and cakes.
Thanks for checking out my recipe! I love hearing from my readers. You all allow me to do what I love and write this food blog, sharing vegetarian and vegan recipes.
Kate x
Vegan Vanilla Cake
Ingredients
For the vegan vanilla cake
- 1 ¼ cups (300ml) vegan milk (almond, soy etc)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ⅔ cup (150g) dairy-free butter / margarine
- 5 tablespoon maple syrup or agave
- 2 ¼ cups (275g) all-purpose flour (plain flour)
- ¾ cups (175g) sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (bicarb of soda)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the vegan vanilla frosting (double to cover the sides as well)
- ⅓ cup (75g) dairy-free margarine/butter
- 2 cups (250g) powdered icing sugar (confectioner's sugar)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon vegan milk (almond, soy etc)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180° C. Lightly grease 2 x 8inch (20cm) round baking pans.
- Stir the lemon juice into the non-dairy milk and set aside. It will thicken slightly into 'buttermilk'.
- In a pan over a medium heat, melt the vegan butter and syrup together. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Sift the flour, caster sugar, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the milk, vanilla and melted butter mixture over the flour mixture and stir well until it becomes a smooth runny batter.
- Divide the mixture between the two prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. If the cakes are darkening too much, cover them loosely with foil.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the tins for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For the vegan vanilla frosting
- Meanwhile, to make the frosting, beat together all ingredients until smooth. Add more milk or powdered sugar if necessary to get a thick frosting consistency.
To assemble
- When the cakes are completely cold, sandwich together with ⅓ of the icing. Spread ⅓ of the frosting over the top and the remaining frosting around the sides. If desired, decorate with berries or vegan sprinkles.
Video
Notes
- Don't over-mix the batter when adding the wet ingredients to dry. Combine well, but don't beat.
- Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the frosting for a wintery flavour or the zest of a lemon for something zingy. You could also try my vegan cream cheese frosting.
- Freezable: you can freeze the un-frosted cakes for up to 1 month
- Increase the ingredients by an extra 50% for a three layer cake
- Turn this into vegan cupcakes by filling the cups of a lined muffin pan and bake for 15-20 mins.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Al
I made this cake today but substituted half the caster sugar with brown sugar and made a caramel butter cream with walnuts in a caramel sauce to decorate instead of vanilla icing and it was AMAZINGGGGG. Moist and melt in the mouth. Sooo good. thank you!
laavanya nnadi
Hi,
I tired this cake and it was yummy but for some reason some parts of the cake was not cooked properly. The outside and the top came out over done but the inside was not cooked. I even tried it at 35 minutes and still no luck. Any suggestions? Also can I whip the butter instead of melting it?
Livinia
Hi,
I have tried this cake so many times and love it! It taste amazing.
Julie Slater
Made this using oat milk. Multiplied the recipe x 1.5 to name a 6 inch, 4 tier birthday cake. It was a huge success and I was so pleased to be able to make something for a little girl who has some nasty allergies.
Wonderful recipe thank you so much!
Julie
Doubled the recipe and made four layers for my grandson’s first birthday cake, who is allergic to eggs. The cake tastes amazing. Looking forward to making lots more of your recipes Kate 🙏
Ruby
This is the best sponge cake ever! I love your recipes! Don’t stop! Xx:)
Krystallos
Tried this recipe twice... was great both times. However,
first try, I used a generic cheap brand Oat Milk, consistency was quite watery.
Second time, I used a branded Oat Milk - Califa.... and the cake came out amazing !! Would recommend using a branded Oat milk such as Oatley or Califa
Will be using this recipe for all my vanilla birthday cakes - thanks for sharing
avani
I made this cake and agree that the texture and taste seems to improve the next day!
A question- the oven temperature given - is that for a fan or conventional oven? I baked in a fan oven at 180 degrees and it seemed to be a bit crispy and overdone at the top. Should I reduce the temp next time?
Also can I use apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice?
Maraika
Delicious. Easy to make. No hard to get ingredients. Husband said the best texture, flavour of all cakes I have made in the past. I made 12 cupcakes and then used the rest of the mix in 2 x 6 inch snap lock cake pans. I used unsweetened Oat Milk I made buttercream as per recipe for the cupcakes and split the larger ones in the middle and spread jam and Dollop Vegan cream. A Keeper.
p.s I did not note baking time but close enough to recommended.
Zarah
I made this for my son's 1st birthday as he is allergic to dairy, eggs, soya and coconut so I wanted something that hadn’t got any unusual ingredients. I have to say it tasted amazing! I made it into a 3 tier cake and all the non-vegans loved it and said they’d pay for it in a coffee shop. Fabulous recipe, I’ll definitely make this again. So easy too.
Lina
The cake itself came out moist and great! as for the icing....who knows what I did wrong here because mine is clear and runny - Maybe I should've been a little more heavy handed on the icing but I followed the 2 cups and it just wasn't thickening!!! And was yellow? Who knows - maybe it was the icing powder I used.
Either way... It taste great (even though it looks like a massive glazed donut)!
Will be retrying with better quality icing powder.
Kate Hackworthy
Hi, sorry the icing didn't work! I think it might be down to the vegan butter. Their water content can vary brand-to-brand, so you'll need to add more icing sugar if needed to get a thick consistency.I'm glad you love the cake though!
Maraika
Lina, maybe it was your Vanilla Extract as that will colour the icing. But if you keep whipping it will turn whiter. I used Nuttalex Marg and unsweetened Oat Milk.
Ginny S
I have tried many recipes, but this one wins!!! Thank you so much for putting this together. Absolutely in love with it. I've tried to make a vegan strawberry shortcut cake with this and a cinnamon-vanilla-maple version too. Beautiful <3
Karen
Love this recipe and am sharing the heck out of it. I used agave and the crumb texture is so light and moist. Thanks for this recipe that I’ll use again and again
Emily
This really is the best vanilla cake! It is so moist and has great flavor and I love that it is vegan! Also I love the way you decorated yours!
Jacque Hastert
What a great way to celebrate a birthday this summer. With a delicious, vegan cake! I baked this for our summer birthday.
Emily
This vegan cake was perfect! The texture came out perfectly fluffy and loved the addition of berries to this.
Carrie
This cake was absolutely perfect! 🙂
Vicky
The texture on this vegan cake is spot on!
Jade
I have used this recipe about 5 times now and its the most easiest and simplest recipe to follow, i now know the recipe off the top of my head! So soft and cakey like you wouldnt believe that it was vegan if you didnt know!!! Grateful and thankful to have found a recipe to make my children cakes and birthday cakes for forever and just made my sons 1st birthday cake using this recipe!!! Thanks again 😀 vegan mamma!xxxx
Shreekar Yadthore
This also was my first attempt at a vegan cake.
Tried this out with my 6 year old. Had a great time making this and it turned out delicious. Thank you. I have tried eggless cakes before but this has been the best so far.
Cat Mcd
Hi! I bake homemade cakes for a cafe. They have asked for some vegan cakes, which don’t taste ‘vegan’ and the chocolate cake was brilliant! The texture seemed to improve even more on the second day. For those struggling with which fat to use, I use block ‘Stork’ as it is vegan and works so well(the soft Stork in the tub is NOT vegan). I am now going to try adapting this vanilla version into coffee and walnut! Super recipes - thanks so much!!
Sally
Hi, made this cake today and it was amazing!! My husband really loves coffee cake so I was wondering if I could somehow make this coffee flavoured? what would your approach be?
thank you 🙂
Kate Hackworthy
Hi Sally, it's on my list to test a vegan coffee cake recipe, so I hope to have one on the blog soon!
Chantal
The best vegan cake I've made so far!!! So light and moist, and with a very delicate vanilla flavour. I made this recipe into cupcakes since I didn't have 8" cake molds, still turned out great. The sea salt is a nice touch if you like sweet and salty. I liked it, but I might also make it without. I definitely recommend this recipe!
Eve
I used golden syrup and it is smelling very strongly of this while baking. I am thinking of making a lemon buttercream which I think will go well with the golden syrup
Hetal
Best vanilla sponge cake I have made to date!!! Made it without the frosting and added a bit more sugar to the sponge itself. Will be making again and again in the future. Thank you.
Daisy
I rarely leave reviews but this was absolutely the BEST vegan cake I've made (and I've made a lot!) It truly lives up to its title. The only part of the recipe I would change is the baking time, as it was done in 25 mins.
My tips so yours also turns out perfectly:
- Use soya milk. This reacts with the baking powder to help the cake rise like other non-dairy milks don't.
- Get the cake in the oven as soon as it's mixed to catch the bubbles from the aforementioned reaction.
- Don't over mix the batter. Having a few small lumps is fine, but overmixing will make it dense and tough. Ew.
Victoria
My first attempt at a vegan cake. Did a trial run with the aim of making one for my daughter’s first birthday, and trying to accommodate various dairy/egg allergies. Really like the taste, although a bit sweet. Will use maple syrup (not golden syrup) next time. Any ideas why it ended up being quite dense though? Think I’ve done something wrong...
Kaia
I make a lot of cakes but this is the first vegan cake I've ever made. It was amazing. I have to say one of the best cakes I've ever made and my vegan brother/sister-in-law loved it to. I made it with the vegan buttercream frosting that also turned out great. I made a four layer cake and alternated layers of strawberry jam with layers of buttercream and it was a great flavor combo. Making again today for Easter.
I.BZA
It looks yummy 😋, but the recipe especially after STEP 3 is a little confusing! I got lost when to add the flour...
Bee
Hi! Great recipe!! Would I be able to make 10inch round cake? If so, how would I adapt the quantities? Thank you!!😁
David
I've made quite a few Vegan cakes (my eldest went cold turkey substitute into the vegan world 2 years ago) cakes, but I'm going to try this one. What's the best way to store this and how long will it keep. Also would golden syrup be aanygood? Oh, And Happy New Year and all the best.
Katy
Hi, can I make one rectangle cake from this? I wanted to try and cut a shape from it for a kids birthday... thanks in advance
Kate Hackworthy
Hi, that should be just fine! Just check for doneness with a toothpick or skewer and keep an eye on it to determine the time.
Louby
First time at making a vegan cake, it was a success and everyone loved the taste.
Steph
Amateur cake maker here.. when does the salt and vanilla essence added?
The chocolate version is amazing.
Kate Hackworthy
Hi Steph
Both the salt and the vanilla enhance the flavour of the other ingredients. The vanilla also means you can use a bit less sugar.
I hope you enjoy the vanilla version as much as the chocolate!
Emily
Hello! I’m looking to make this cake next Friday and I’m just confused as to what you mean by “spread”. Would that refer to something like vegan margarine?
Kate Hackworthy
Hi, yes it's vegan margarine. Sorry, spread is what we call it in the UK!
Thanks for flagging this up - I'll clarify in the recipe. 🙂
Samantha
I wonder if anyone could offer me some advice. I followed this recipe to a tee but I get a strange... almost bitter aftertaste. All the ingredients are newly bought so I don't think anything's off. We seem to get it a lot when baking.
Kate Hackworthy
Hi Samantha
That's very strange. If you get the bitter aftertaste often when you bake, could it be your baking pans?
Lorna
Could it be too much baking powder? That may add a bitter taste.
Alexis Reece
I just tried this and it's delicious! Probably the first vegan cake recipe I've actually enjoyed! Can't wait to try more of your vegan recipes 🙂
Eilish Harman
Hi Kate I haven't made these two cakes yet but the reports and photos are so good I'll do for visitors over Easter. Can I freeze them (without frosting) successfully would you say?
Kate Hackworthy
Hi Eilish
They should freeze fine if well wrapped and no frosting. I hope you enjoy them!
Son
Is there a reason why it’s plain flour instead of self raising? Thanks!
Kate Hackworthy
Hi Sonia
Not everywhere has self raising so I tend to write recipes with plain. You can use self raising and omit the baking powder. Happy baking!
Julia
I love when recipes call for easy-to-get ingredients. Will be trying this for my sister's birthday! 🙂
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
I've been trying to cut back on dairy and eggs so I love finding vegan recipes, especially for dessert! This looks delicious!
Demeter
I am seriously loving those berries on top! Nothing like a bit of fresh fruit to bring some extra tastiness to baked goods. 🙂
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
Such a beautiful and delicious looking cake! I love that it is vegan, it is true - you really can't tell the difference. Definitely going to make this with my girls soon
Dannii
That is such a stunning looking cake and really lovely simple flavours too. We have family visiting at the weekend and this would be perfect to make.
Sydnie
I made this for my daughters 2nd birthday party! i doubled the ingredients and made a 4-tiered version topped with bunting and some wild toy animals. She absolutely adored it! And my extended family (all non-vegans) could not believe it was vegan, it was absolutely gorgeous. We've made your chocolate many times before, and I didn't think it could get any better but this vanilla versions wins! Just!
We are making it again today for my brother's birthday, it's so easy and cheap also - thank you!
Kate Hackworthy
Thank you so much for such a lovely comment, Sydnie! I'm so pleased that you are enjoying the vegan cake recipes and delighted that you took the time to come back and comment. You've made my day 🙂
Kate x
Jem
I made this yesterday and it was amazing! It's my new go-to birthday cake recipe.
Theresa R Bolner
Where in the recipe do you use the baking powder?
Ted Barnes
I just made this vegan cake for the second time. Amazing. Will make it again!
Kristyn Wakeford
Hi, is it better to use maple syrup rather than golden syrup for this recipe, can you taste the maple syrup? I have just made a small sample cake using golden syrup and although light and fluffy I can taste a syrup taste.
Jodi
I used the ingredients for vanilla cake but I doubled ingredients and made my daughter a four tier rainbow 18th birthday cake I covered it with chocolate frosting.It was a hit again everyone loved it. It's really rich and moist so only need a small slice.
Kate Hackworthy
How lovely! Sounds like a beautiful cake. 🙂
Hannah
Made this cake yesterday and it was amazing! I can't believe how well and fluffy it turned out!! And best of all you can't tell it's any different to a none vegan sponge!!
Prerna Nikesh
I loved your vegan chocolate cake recipe Kate. Can't wait to try my hands with this one. Will use butter n full cream milk as usual. But could I use golden syrup here as well instead of the maple syrup?
Thanks, Prerna
Karen Jameson
I made the cake and its really nice. Novody could tell it was vegan. Soft and great texture. Going to try your chocolate cake next.
Jodi
I used the ingredients to make 18 chocolate cupcakes. Everyone who tasted them said it was the best chocolate cake they had ever tasted, I agree. My daughter is vegan and she loved them too. I'm going to make the vanilla cupcakes today. I used coconut dairy free spread and soya milk. It was so simple to make.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
You always know how to make me droooooool 🙂
Lou Young
I have made the vanilla cake and the chocolate. Both are really nice and very moist. I've tried with a couple of spreads but found Flora Freedom, dairy free the best for fluffy results. Stay well away from Trex. Very oily cake, so much so I threw away.
I always bake a cake for the works team monthly meeting (started something there I think) and the only vegan in the 14 strong group was very touched. I don't think she realised how easy it is.
Can't wait to try more recipes.
Kate Hackworthy
I'm so pleased that you've enjoyed my vegan cakes! I'll have a vegan lemon cake up on the blog soon 🙂 Thanks so much for coming back to
Daiana
This is my first time making a vegan cake. Is it normal that they didn't rise very much at all?? They are pretty thin layers.
Kate Hackworthy
Hi Daiana, the cakes should definitely rise. I wonder if your baking powder might be a bit old? Often that's the cause. Or was it in a larger tin? Sorry they were thin for you!
Sophia
Making this right now but I steeped three earl grey tea bags in the milk for the cake and added lemon juice to the frosting. Can't wait to try it!
Kate Hackworthy
That sounds great. I hope you enjoy it!
Vivian
This looks and sounds so delicious, and I also love your photos, Kate. What an awesome recipe!
Laura
Wow!! Just looking at the recipes you have made, i am so hungry! Great Job!, not only are the images so professional, the recipes are amazing as well!!
Helen
Oh this looks so good! I would never guess it was vegan from looking at it either.
Yaya
This cake looks so delicious, and helps beat the misconception of what a vegan cake would be. I will definitely make it!
Victoria Marden
This cake looks delicious, I can bake but I'm not so good at making things look pretty lol x
Folakemi
This looks so yummy- I'm not even vegan but I'll totally eat this cake
Holly - Little Pickle's Mom
Ooh, if its vegan does that mean it's pretty good for you?! Looks and sounds delicious!
Sarah
Im not vegan but I would totally make this! It looks amazing! So yummy!
Jenny
I'm not vegan but I would totally bake this - looks divine 🙂
Rhian Westbury
I love cooking vegan as I find with cakes you can rarely tell the difference, and you can't beat some nice vanilla icing x
Gareth Toriano
This was my first try at a vegan birthday cake. It was so tasty!!! Really easy to make and the kids helped me. I only had a big rectangle tray, but I cooked in in that as a sheet cake and it worked perfectly.
I'm trying your vegan chocolate cake next weekend for a dinner party.
Elizabeth Stewart
This IS HANDS DOWN the best Vegan cake. So you got it right my friend! I made it for a friends birthday and wow totally delicious, moist and very flavorful. I did place the caster sugar and dry ingredients in a food processor to lighten it up a little. But no other tweeking needed. I will try this recipe however with a Gluten Free flour and an organic white sugar just to see how it will turn out. All of my neighbors love to sample.
Thanks again Kate!
Juliette
This is the first time i have made a vegan cake... it was delicious all my family loved it. I'll definitely be making it again !