Here’s the Best Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe I’ve ever used and it’s easy to make, delicious, healthy, and uses common ingredients!
Best Vegan Chocolate Cake
It doesn’t have to be complicated or use hard to find ingredients! This cake is so simple to make and you probably have the ingredients on hand in your pantry already!
Who doesn’t love a yummy chocolate cake?
I know I do. And it’s always been my go-to as far as a birthday, Valentine’s Day, or another holiday dessert. It’s also a great every day, no reason, just-because-it’s-delicious dessert.
This easy to make vegan chocolate cake starts with a premixed gluten-free flour. I really like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour. If you’re not gluten-free, by all means simply use an equivalent amount of regular all-purpose flour. It will turn out just as well.
Start by spreading a bit of vegan butter or coconut oil on the bottoms and sides of two 8-inch cake pans.
Then dust with cocoa powder.
Cover well then turn over and tap to get rid of excess.
Then, stir together the dry ingredients. Because it’s vegan, I’ve used flax to hold it together instead of eggs. It works great.
Truly delicious vegan chocolate cake has to be moist … and this was is, thanks to lots of applesauce. I’ve kept the oil fairly low although I did add some. Use whatever oil you like. I used olive oil but avocado would be good or melted coconut oil.
Add the rest of the wet ingredients. I’ve used balsamic vinegar for some depth of flavor. It goes really well with chocolate!
Using a wooden spoon, stir until well blended, about 2 minutes.
Divide evenly and pour into the cake pans and smooth. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 35-45 minutes, until set and a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cake cool completely before attempting to frost it. If it’s warm, the frosting will melt! THIS is my favorite frosting!
Spread evenly.
And …
cut …
… and enjoy!
Vegan Chocolate Cake Gluten-Free Simple Recipe
Vegan Chocolate Cake doesn't have to be complicated or use hard to find ingredients. This cake is so simple to make and you probably have the ingredients on hand already!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups cocoa powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp finely ground chia or flax seeds
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup oil olive, avocado, coconut
- 1 3/4 cups plant-based milk
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Butter the bottom and sides of two 8 inch round or square cake pans. Dust with cocoa powder.
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Stir dry ingredients together until well mixed.
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Stir in all wet ingredients. Mix to combine. Stir well until no lumps remain.
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Divide and pour batter into two 8 inch cake pans or one 8x13 pan.
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Bake at 350 degrees F for about 35-45 minutes, until the center is firm and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
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Let cool completely and frost with your choice of vegan frosting.
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Try this cake with this delicious frosting!
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Hello! I’m Lisa, a vegan artist, photographer, author, Vegan Life Coach Educator, and RYT 200 yoga teacher. I love showing others how simple and delicious a plant-based diet can be. I draw and paint, cook, write, take lots of pics, eat lots of chocolate, and practice gratitude daily.