Vegan Cakes
- Albert
- Mar 11
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 17
- Why Vegan Cakes? They're great for health-conscious eaters, those with allergies, or anyone seeking eco-friendly dessert options. Plus, they're just as tasty as traditional cakes.
- Key Ingredients: Use oat or soy milk for dairy substitutes, flaxseeds or aquafaba for eggs, and coconut sugar or monk fruit for sweeteners.
- Baking Tips: Measure ingredients by weight, mix carefully to avoid overworking gluten, and bake at consistent temperatures.
- Recipes: Try simple vanilla, rich chocolate, or seasonal fruit cakes for easy, crowd-pleasing options.
- Decorating Ideas: Use vegan buttercream, fresh fruits, or edible flowers for an eye-catching finish.
- Where to Buy: Check out Le Sud Patisserie for custom vegan cakes starting at $60.
Whether baking at home or buying from a local shop, vegan cakes are a versatile and inclusive option for any occasion. For more information, visit Le Sud.
Best Vegan Vanilla Cake - Fluffy & Moist
Key Ingredients
Choosing the right dairy and egg substitutes is key to creating vegan cakes with the perfect texture and flavour. These selections set the stage for a successful bake.
Milk and Butter Substitutes
Plant-based milks aren't all created equal. Full-fat oat and soy milk stand out due to their protein and fat content, which closely resemble dairy milk. Oat milk's natural sugars aid browning, while soy milk curdles with acid, making it ideal for buttermilk replacements.
For fats, vegan butter options like Olivani and Nuttelex, commonly found in New Zealand, work well as dairy butter alternatives. Neutral oils such as sunflower or canola oil add moisture without altering flavours. If using coconut oil, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to prevent it from solidifying.
Egg Alternatives
Egg substitutes can dramatically affect your cake's texture. Here's a handy guide to match substitutes to your needs:
Substitute | Amount Per Egg | Best For | Key Benefit |
Ground Flaxseed + Water | 1 Tbsp + 3 Tbsp water | Dense cakes | Strong binding |
Aquafaba | 3 Tbsp | Light sponges | Airy texture |
Silken Tofu | 1/4 cup | Cheesecakes | Creamy texture |
Mashed Banana | 1/2 banana | Fruit cakes | Natural moisture |
Sweeteners and Raising Agents
The right mix of sweeteners and raising agents ensures your cake has the ideal texture and rise. Coconut sugar and coconut nectar are lower glycaemic alternatives to cane sugar, delivering sweetness without compromising flavour. For sugar-free options, monk fruit extract - 200 times sweeter than sugar - requires only a small amount to achieve the same sweetness level.
Baking powder and baking soda, paired with a splash of vinegar, create bubbles that help cakes rise. To check if your raising agents are active, add a drop of vinegar - bubbling indicates they're ready to go.
Cornflour does more than bind; it reduces gluten in plain flour, resulting in a tender crumb. When combined with the right raising agents, it helps produce light, fluffy vegan cakes.
Baking Methods
Making great vegan cakes requires careful attention to measurements and oven settings. Success comes from accurately weighing ingredients and understanding how to work with plant-based alternatives.
Measuring and Mixing Steps
Getting the measurements right is essential in vegan baking. Using digital scales is highly recommended because weight is more consistent than volume. For instance, 1 cup of flour weighs 125g, but 1 cup of sugar weighs 200g. This difference shows why weight-based measurements lead to better results.
For dry ingredients, follow these tips:
Ingredient Type | How to Measure | Mistakes to Avoid |
Flour | Spoon into the cup, level off with a knife | Scooping directly, which adds up to 50% more |
Brown Sugar | Pack it firmly, then level | Leaving it loosely packed |
Semi-liquids | Use a dry measuring cup, spoon in, and level | Using liquid measuring tools |
To achieve a soft texture, try the reverse creaming method. Blend dry ingredients with fat until it looks like wet sand.
"Vegan baking is definitely a skill we develop with practice. We may not realise but it's science. Your ingredients and instructions are your formula. Just like a scientific experiment, every variable matters including how we bring our ingredients together."
A few extra tips for better results:
- Sift dry ingredients to remove lumps and ensure even mixing.
- Mix just until combined to avoid tough textures.
- Use a folding motion to keep your cakes light and airy.
Once your batter is ready, the next step is nailing the oven settings for consistent baking.
Oven Settings and Timing
Temperature control is crucial for vegan cakes. Most recipes call for 180°C, but the timing depends on the size and type of cake. A standard 20cm round cake usually takes 35–45 minutes, while cupcakes bake in 20–25 minutes.
For reliable results:
- Preheat your oven completely before baking.
- Place racks in the centre of the oven.
- Test doneness with a skewer - it should come out clean.
- Avoid opening the oven door during the first 20 minutes to prevent heat loss.
If the top of the cake is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil. For larger cakes, use baking strips around the tin to ensure even baking. Keep in mind that ovens vary, so take notes on what works best for your setup.
Basic Vegan Cake Recipes
Here are three vegan cake recipes that are easy to follow and consistently deliver tasty results. These recipes rely on tried-and-true techniques for dependable outcomes.
Simple Vanilla Cake
This recipe produces a fluffy, moist sponge, perfect for two 20cm round layers.
Ingredients:
- 470g plain flour
- 200g melted vegan butter
- 310g caster sugar
- 430ml soy milk
- 3 tbsp cornflour
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
Start by making vegan buttermilk: mix soy milk with apple cider vinegar and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it curdles slightly. While waiting, sift all your dry ingredients together to ensure they mix evenly.
"I have tried many cake recipes and this one is the best by far! It was perfect and the whole family loved it. I'm keeping this one. Thank you so much!" - Lauren
Double Chocolate Cake
This recipe uses boiling water to create a moist, rich texture.
Layer Size | Temperature | Baking Time |
Single 23cm | 180°C | 35-40 mins |
Two 20cm | 180°C | 25-30 mins |
Cupcakes | 180°C | 18-20 mins |
Stick to these guidelines for the best results. Applesauce works well as an egg substitute, adding moisture while binding the cake. For the frosting, use Earth Balance vegan butter sticks to whip up a smooth, chocolatey buttercream.
Seasonal Fruit Cakes
Seasonal fruits bring vibrant flavours to vegan fruit cakes. During summer (December–February), try fruits like:
- Fresh apricots
- Peaches
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Nectarines
Out of season? High-quality tinned fruits are a great alternative. To prevent fresh fruit from sinking, lightly coat the pieces in flour before folding them into the batter. For something festive, consider a Kiwi-inspired fruit cake with dried fruits soaked in rum. Spread fruit evenly throughout the batter for a balanced finish.
These recipes show how the right ingredients and careful techniques can result in delicious vegan cakes every time.
Cake Decoration
Once you've nailed your vegan cake recipe, the next step is decorating it like a pro. This involves using the right techniques and ingredients to elevate your cake's appearance and taste.
Dairy-Free Frostings
Making a smooth, pipeable vegan buttercream starts with choosing the right ingredients. A high-fat vegan butter is crucial for the best texture. Brands like Earth Balance sticks and Miyoko's Kitchen Cultured Vegan Butter are great choices.
For a simple, versatile vegan buttercream, you'll need:
Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
Vegan butter | 230g | Room temperature |
Icing sugar | 450g | Sifted |
Plant-based milk | 45–60ml | Full-fat preferred |
Vanilla extract | 5ml | Optional |
"This vegan buttercream is so easy, it should be a crime. In about ten minutes or less you've got delicious, crave-worthy, allergy-friendly, infinitely customisable, perfectly pipe-able frosting to use on all your cakes, macarons, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and other confections."
- Meggan, Cooking on Caffeine
Start by beating softened vegan butter for 3–4 minutes until it's fluffy. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar, and use a full-fat plant-based milk like soy or oat milk for a creamy finish. This frosting can be stored in the fridge for up to two days or frozen for three months.
Plant-Based Decorations
Fresh fruits are a great way to enhance both the look and taste of your vegan cakes. You can arrange seasonal fruits in patterns or cascading styles for a stunning effect. When using fresh fruits:
- Brush them with a light glaze to add shine and keep them fresh.
- Use heavier fruits like pineapple or watermelon as a base.
- Place lighter fruits, such as berries, on the top.
- Decorate right before serving to maintain freshness.
Edible flowers are another beautiful option for decoration. King Arthur Baking recommends flowers like calendula, borage, and marigold for their natural colours and elegance. Keep the flowers fresh by storing them in water in the fridge, and trim the stems before placing them on the cake.
"Flowers are just so joyful. Even if they don't end up on someone's table, I grow flowers because they're inviting and make everyone who sees them happy."
- Laura Braasch, Manager of the Dartmouth Organic Farm
For a professional finish, invest in essential tools like a rotating cake stand for smooth frosting, quality piping bags with different tips, a metal spatula for clean edges, and digital kitchen scales for precise measurements.
Once your cake is beautifully decorated, check out local vegan cake shops in New Zealand for even more ideas and inspiration.
Vegan Cake Shops in New Zealand
Finding top-notch vegan cakes in New Zealand has never been easier, thanks to a growing number of patisseries offering delicious plant-based options.
Let’s take a closer look at one standout patisserie:
Le Sud Patisserie
Le Sud Patisserie is a go-to spot for vegan cakes, blending French baking techniques with high-quality plant-based ingredients.
Here’s a glimpse of their vegan cake selection:
Cake Type | Starting Price | Features |
Celebration Cakes | $60 | Custom designs, seasonal flavours |
Wedding Cakes | $260 | Tiered options, floral decorations |
Themed Cakes | $130 | Personalised designs |
Their skilled bakers craft custom designs tailored to dietary needs, ensuring no compromise on flavour.
"Our vegan cakes are plant-based, rich, and decadent - crafted with dairy-free, egg-free ingredients for a cruelty-free treat. Every bite celebrates flavour and compassion!" - Le Sud Patisserie
What can customers expect?
- Freshly prepared cakes made to order
- Options customised to meet specific dietary requirements
- Seasonal, high-quality ingredients
- Beautiful, elegant presentation
Le Sud also caters to those with gluten-free needs, offering creations like their highly praised gluten-free carrot cake topped with dairy-free vanilla cream cheese icing.
"Have multiple dietary needs or a special request? We're happy to customise our cakes to suit your unique preferences. Just let us know, and we'll craft a cake that's perfect for you!" - Le Sud Patisserie
These creative vegan options showcase how plant-based baking has evolved in New Zealand.
Summary
Making great vegan cakes requires precise techniques and the right balance of ingredients. The goal is to achieve a batter consistency similar to soft-serve ice cream by carefully adjusting the ratio of flour to liquid. Use a digital scale for accuracy and ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting.
Here are some key tips for vegan baking success:
Aspect | Key Consideration | Solution |
Batter Consistency | Should be thicker than usual batter | Add more flour or reduce liquid content |
Structure | Depends on gluten formation | Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing |
Moisture Balance | Affects rise and texture | Adjust water-to-fat ratio as needed |
If your cake sinks in the centre, it likely has too much water or sugar. On the other hand, dryness indicates the need for more moisture or a shorter baking time.
For those wanting professional results, Le Sud Patisserie offers custom vegan cakes starting at $60, crafted with high-quality plant-based ingredients.
"The cake was delicious and beautiful. I was easily able to specify how I wanted it to look, and Sunita was a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Le Sud Patisserie!"
Practical tips include lightly flouring fruits before folding them into the batter to prevent them from sinking. If substituting butter with oil, reduce the oil amount slightly and add extra plant-based milk to maintain moisture. These adjustments capture the essentials of vegan cake baking.
Whether you're baking at home or ordering from Le Sud Patisserie, following these principles will help you create vegan cakes that are just as delicious and visually stunning as traditional ones.
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