Vegan Vanilla Cake (Tips For Making Perfect Vegan Cakes)

The perfect vanilla cake is light, fluffy, frosted and delicious. This Vegan Vanilla Cake recipe delivers on all counts! It is great for just about any occasion, totally customizable and incredibly easy to throw together.

If you've never made vegan cakes and cupcakes before, this is the post for you! Here we have compiled all of our tips and tricks for making the perfect vegan cakes.

In a world where celebrations revolve around a gorgeous layer cake centerpiece, everyone should know how to make this fundamental dessert. The Vegan Vanilla Cake outlined below is a great place to start. Let's learn how to make it!

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Contents

• Key Ingredients in Vegan Cakes
• Key Ingredients in Vegan Cake Frosting
• How to Make a Vegan Vanilla Cake (with pictures!)
• How to Level Cake Layers
• Why to Level Cake Layers
• Tips for Making Great Vegan Cakes
• How to Make Fluffy Vegan Cakes
• Why is My Vegan Cake so Dry?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Vegan Vanilla Cake Customizations
• How to Store Vegan Cakes

Vegan Vanilla Cake Ingredients

The following ingredients work together to create a Vegan Vanilla Cake with a tender crumb, light texture, and delicious flavor. These ingredients serve as the base for any great vegan cake flavor:

• All Purpose Flour: Flour is the main ingredient in cake recipes as it provides structure and helps the cake to rise.
• Sugar: Sugar not only adds sweetness to the cake but also contributes to its structure and moistness.
• Baking Powder/Baking Soda: Baking powder/soda are leavening agents that help the cake rise, making it light and fluffy.
• Salt: Salt enhances the flavor of the cake by balancing out the sweetness and other flavors.
• Nondairy Yogurt: Nondairy yogurt adds moisture and richness to the cake, contributing to a tender texture. It also works as an egg substitute, binding and providing leavening.
• Nondairy Milk: Nondairy milk adds moisture to the cake batter and helps achieve the desired consistency.
• Canola Oil: Canola oil serves as a fat source in the recipe, adding moisture and richness to the cake. It is flavorless, making it ideal for baking.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is an essential ingredient in vanilla cake recipes as it adds depth and enhances the overall taste of the cake.

Vegan Vanilla Frosting Ingredients

Creating a vegan vanilla frosting that is creamy, flavorful, and dairy-free requires careful consideration of each ingredient if you want to achieve the perfect texture, taste, and sweetness.

• Non-hydrogenated Shortening: This plant-based alternative to traditional shortenings, which typically contain animal-derived fats, helps create a stable and solid texture. It acts as the foundation for the frosting, providing a creamy base that holds its shape even at room temperature.
• Vegan Butter: Vegan butter adds richness and depth of flavor to the vegan vanilla frosting. It provides the signature buttery taste that we associate with traditional frostings.
• Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar, or confectioners' sugar, is a crucial component in vegan vanilla frosting. It plays a significant role in thickening the frosting while maintaining its silky consistency.
• Nondairy Milk: To achieve the desired consistency and balance the sweetness of the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla brings a hint of warmth and sweetness to the frosting, elevating its taste profile.
• Pinch of Salt: Salt enhances the sweetness of the frosting by counteracting any excessive sugar taste, resulting in a more satisfying experience.

How to Make a Vegan Vanilla Cake (with pictures!)

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full instructions and ingredient measurements.

Being by whisking together all of your dry ingredients together in a large bow. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl and whisk until just combined. Do not over-mix!

Distribute the prepared cake batter between 2 8-inch or 3 6-inch cake pans that are lightly greased and lined with parchment paper.

Bake cake layers on center rack of oven preheated to 350 degrees F (175 C) for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. Allow cakes to cool in their pans for 20 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the frosting while the cake layers cool. Beat together the non-hydrogenated shortening and vegan butter until completely smooth. Sift in the powdered sugar and pour in the nondairy milk and vanilla extract. Beat until frosting comes together. Frost cake as desired.

How to Level Cake Layers

Leveling a cake layer is a fundamental step in cake baking and decorating. This guide will walk you through the process of leveling a cake layer with a serrated knife.

Before Leveling

1. Allow the Cake to Cool: Ensure your cake has cooled completely before attempting to level it. Warm cakes can be fragile and may crumble during the leveling process.
2. Assemble Your Tools: Gather the necessary tools for leveling your cake layer. You will need a serrated knife, a long ruler or cake leveler, and a rotating cake stand (optional but helpful).
3. Choose a Level Surface: Place your cake on a flat, stable surface such as a cake board or a turntable. The stability of the surface will help you maintain control while leveling the cake layer.
4. Evaluate the Cake: Carefully examine the cake's top surface to identify any unevenness or doming. If you notice a significant dome, it is essential to level it off to ensure consistent layering and even frosting.
5. Mark the Desired Level: Using a long ruler or cake leveler, mark the desired height to which you want to level your cake layer. Place the ruler horizontally across the cake's top and gently score the side of the cake at the desired level. This mark will serve as a visual guide during the leveling process.

To Level

1. Begin Leveling: Hold the serrated knife parallel to the surface of the cake, aligning it with the marked line. Start cutting into the cake gently, using a sawing motion while applying light pressure. Slowly work your way across the cake, maintaining the knife parallel to the marked line.
2. Check for Consistency: After leveling the cake, run your hand lightly over the surface to ensure it feels even. If you detect any uneven areas, make further adjustments using the serrated knife until you achieve a uniformly level cake layer.
3. Clean Up the Crumbs: Use a clean, dry brush or a bench scraper to remove any loose crumbs from the top and sides of the cake. This step ensures a clean canvas for frosting and decorating.

Why to Level Cake Layers

1. Even Layering: Leveling the cake layer helps create uniformity in the height of each layer, resulting in a professional-looking cake.
2. Balanced Frosting Distribution: A leveled cake layer offers a flat surface for the frosting, allowing it to spread evenly across the cake's top and sides.
3. Enhanced Stability: A leveled cake layer provides a stable foundation for multi-layered cakes, reducing the risk of toppling or sliding.

Mastering the technique of leveling a cake layer with a serrated knife is essential for achieving professional-looking cakes. By following the step-by-step guide above, you can easily level your cake layers, ensuring even layering, balanced frosting distribution, and enhanced stability.

Tips for Making Great Vegan Cakes

While many traditional cake making tips are applicable to vegan baking, there are additional things you can use to achieve perfection.

*Remember, baking is a science, so it's essential to follow the recipe carefully and make adjustments as needed based on the specific ingredients and oven you're using.

1. One of the best ways to ensure a fabulous layer cake is to get ahead. The best way to achieve this is to bake your cake layers the day before you intend to assemble, frost and serve. Bake your cakes and allow them to cool completely. Wrap each individual layer tightly in plastic wrap and let them sit in the fridge overnight. This will make them easier to level and will reduce the amount of loose crumbs.
2. Only line the bottom of you pans with parchment paper. Trace the bottom of your cake pans over a sheet of parchment paper with a pencil. Cut out paper circles with scissors cutting slightly within the traced line. Lightly spray each pan with oil before placing the parchment paper in the pan. This will help keep it in place.
3. Choose high-quality ingredients: Opt for fresh and high-quality plant-based ingredients to ensure the best flavor and texture in your cake.
4. Use Leavening Agents: Make sure to use leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda to help your cake rise. Vegan cakes may not rise as much as traditional cakes, so using the right amount of leavening agents is crucial.
5. Don't over-mix the batter. Over-mixing can lead to a dense and tough cake. Mix the ingredients until just combined to avoid developing too much gluten.
6. Let the cake cool completely before frosting. Allowing the cake to cool completely before applying the frosting prevents it from melting and sliding off the cake.

How to Make Fluffy Vegan Cakes

To make fluffy vegan cakes, there are a few key considerations and ingredients you can incorporate:

1. Use a combination of leavening agents: Vegan cakes benefit from a combination of baking powder and baking soda. These leavening agents help the cake rise and create a light, fluffy texture.
2. Opt for a neutral oil: Replace butter with a neutral-tasting oil such as canola oil or coconut oil. These oils help keep the cake moist and tender.
3. Sift the dry ingredients: Sifting the flour, baking powder, and baking soda helps incorporate air into the mixture and ensures even distribution, resulting in a lighter cake.
4. Avoid over-mixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, be careful not to over-mix the batter. Over-mixing can lead to a dense and heavy cake. Mix until just combined.

Why is My Vegan Cake so Dry?

If your vegan cake is turning out dry, there could be a few possible reasons and solutions:

1. Over-baking: One common reason for dryness in cakes is overbaking. Vegan cakes may have slightly different baking times compared to non-vegan cakes due to the absence of eggs and dairy. Check your cake for doneness a few minutes before the recommended baking time.
2. Insufficient moisture: Vegan cakes may require additional moisture due to the absence of eggs and dairy. Ensure that you are using sufficient wet ingredients in the recipe, such as plant-based milk, oil, or other liquid substitutes.
3. Inaccurate measurements: Precise measurements are crucial for baking. If the dry ingredients, such as flour, are measured incorrectly, it can affect the moisture balance in the cake. Use measuring cups or a kitchen scale for accurate measurements. Additionally, ensure that the flour is not packed tightly into the measuring cup. Fluff the flour with a spoon, gently spoon it into the measuring cup, and level it off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vegan Vanilla Cake Customizations

There are countless ways to customize a vanilla cake recipe to suit your preferences and add delightful flavors. Here are some ideas to inspire your creativity:

1. Fruit Variations: Add fresh or frozen berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries) to the batter for bursts of fruity flavor.
2. Citrus Infusions: Zest and juice of citrus fruits like lemon, lime, or orange can add a refreshing citrusy taste. Mix the zest into the batter and replace some of the liquid with freshly squeezed citrus juice. Create a citrus glaze by combining powdered sugar with citrus juice and drizzling it over the cooled cake.
3. Nutty Enhancements: Fold in chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans into the batter for added crunch and flavor.
4. Spiced Delights: Add warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the batter to create a cozy and aromatic vanilla spice cake. Incorporate a touch of cardamom or cloves for a fun twist.
5. Decadent Fillings and Frostings: Experiment with different fillings such as fruit preserves, vegan chocolate ganache, or vegan caramel sauce between cake layers for added moisture and flavor.
6. Creative Toppings: Decorate the cake with fresh fruit slices, edible flowers, or shredded coconut for an attractive presentation. Sprinkle toasted nuts, chocolate shavings, or colorful sprinkles on top for added texture and visual appeal.

*Remember to adjust ingredient quantities and baking times accordingly when making modifications to the recipe.

How to Store Vegan Cakes

Storing vegan cakes properly is essential to maintain their freshness and flavor. Here's how to store vegan cakes:

1. Room Temperature: Most vegan cakes can be stored at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Place the cake in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
2. Refrigeration: If your vegan cake has a perishable frosting or filling, such as a vegan cream cheese frosting or fruit filling, it's best to store it in the refrigerator. Place the cake in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap to prevent it from absorbing any odors from the fridge.
3. Freezing: If you need to store your vegan cake for a longer period, you can freeze it unfrosted. Wrap the cake layers tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Frozen vegan cakes can typically be stored for up to a month.
4. Thawing: When you're ready to enjoy your frozen vegan cake, transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. This gradual thawing process will help preserve the texture and flavor of the cake. Once thawed, you can bring the cake to room temperature before serving.
5. Avoid Moisture: To prevent your vegan cake from becoming soggy, avoid storing it in areas with high humidity or placing it near sources of moisture, such as a dishwasher or sink.

By following these storage tips, you can ensure that your vegan cakes stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible, whether you're storing them at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer.

If you make this recipe, please tag @censoredbaker on Instagram!

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