15 Easy Vegan Cake Desserts: Sweet Treats Without the Dairy or Eggs

Desserts are one of life’s greatest joys, and vegan cakes prove that you don’t need eggs, milk, or butter to create sweet, moist, and indulgent treats. With the rise of plant-based diets, more people are discovering that vegan cakes can be just as flavorful, visually appealing, and satisfying as traditional recipes.

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a casual treat, or just to satisfy a sweet craving, these 15 easy vegan cake desserts offer something for everyone. From rich chocolate indulgences to fruity delights, these recipes are approachable for beginner bakers and experienced dessert lovers alike.

---

Why Vegan Cakes Are Easier Than You Think

When most people hear “vegan cake,” they imagine something complicated or flavorless—but nothing could be further from the truth. Modern vegan baking relies on simple swaps and clever ingredients to replicate the texture, richness, and taste of traditional cakes:

• Egg substitutes: Flaxseed, chia seeds, applesauce, mashed bananas, or commercial egg replacers

• Dairy alternatives: Almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, vegan butter, or coconut oil

• Sweeteners: Cane sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, agave, or date syrup

The result is moist, fluffy, and flavorful cakes that everyone—vegan or not—can enjoy.

---

1. Classic Vegan Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1/3 cup vegetable oil

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a cake pan.

2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.

3. In another bowl, combine wet ingredients and stir into dry mixture until smooth.

4. Pour into pan and bake 25–30 minutes.

5. Cool, then frost with vegan chocolate ganache or icing.

Tip: Serve with fresh berries for added flavor.

---

2. Vegan Lemon Drizzle Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• Zest of 2 lemons

• 1/2 cup almond milk

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix dry ingredients with lemon zest.

3. Combine wet ingredients, then fold into dry ingredients.

4. Pour into greased loaf pan and bake 30–35 minutes.

5. Drizzle with a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice.

---

3. Vegan Carrot Cake with Walnuts

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup grated carrots

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup applesauce

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.

3. Stir in grated carrots, oil, applesauce, and walnuts.

4. Pour into a greased cake pan and bake 35–40 minutes.

Tip: Frost with vegan cream cheese frosting for a classic carrot cake experience.

---

4. Vegan Banana Bread Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed

• 1/4 cup almond milk

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix dry ingredients.

3. Combine mashed bananas, milk, oil, and vanilla.

4. Stir wet into dry and bake in a loaf pan for 45–50 minutes.

Tip: Add chocolate chips or walnuts for extra indulgence.

---

5. Vegan Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 cup coconut oil

• 3/4 cup almond milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Fresh strawberries and vegan whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Mix dry ingredients, cut in coconut oil until crumbly.

3. Stir in almond milk and vanilla to form dough.

4. Scoop onto baking sheet and bake 15–20 minutes.

5. Layer with strawberries and vegan whipped cream.

---

6. Vegan Chocolate Chip Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup coconut oil

• 3/4 cup almond milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix dry ingredients, then stir in wet ingredients.

3. Fold in chocolate chips and bake for 25–30 minutes.

Tip: Sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top before baking for a visually appealing finish.

---

7. Vegan Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tsp cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1/3 cup vegetable oil

• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tbsp red food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix dry ingredients, then fold in wet ingredients and red coloring.

3. Pour into pan and bake 25–30 minutes.

4. Frost with vegan cream cheese frosting.

---

8. Vegan Coconut Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup coconut milk

• 1/4 cup coconut oil

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup shredded coconut

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix dry ingredients, stir in coconut milk, oil, and vanilla.

3. Fold in shredded coconut and bake 30–35 minutes.

4. Top with more shredded coconut or coconut cream frosting.

---

9. Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp cloves

• 1 cup pumpkin puree

• 1/4 cup almond milk

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Combine dry ingredients, mix in wet ingredients until smooth.

3. Pour into greased pan and bake 30–35 minutes.

Tip: Top with vegan cream cheese frosting or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.

---

10. Vegan Blueberry Lemon Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1 cup blueberries

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix dry ingredients with lemon zest.

3. Fold in wet ingredients, then gently stir in blueberries.

4. Bake 30–35 minutes.

---

11. Vegan Mocha Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1/4 cup coffee (strong brewed)

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Combine dry ingredients, mix wet ingredients, then combine.

3. Pour into pan and bake 25–30 minutes.

4. Frost with vegan chocolate ganache.

---

12. Vegan Apple Cinnamon Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce

• 1/4 cup almond milk

• 1/4 cup coconut oil

• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix dry ingredients, fold in wet ingredients.

3. Pour into pan and bake 30–35 minutes.

4. Optionally top with vegan caramel sauce.

---

13. Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup cocoa powder

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1/4 cup peanut butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix dry ingredients, stir in wet ingredients.

3. Swirl in peanut butter and bake 25–30 minutes.

4. Frost with vegan chocolate ganache.

---

14. Vegan Mango Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup mango puree

• 1/4 cup almond milk

• 1/4 cup coconut oil

• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Combine dry ingredients, stir in wet ingredients.

3. Bake 30–35 minutes.

4. Top with vegan whipped cream and mango slices.

---

15. Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup cocoa powder

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• Zest of 1 orange

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix dry ingredients with orange zest.

3. Stir in wet ingredients and bake 25–30 minutes.

4. Frost with vegan chocolate ganache and orange slices.

---

Tips for Baking Perfect Vegan Cakes

1. Measure carefully: Vegan baking can be sensitive to ratios, so measure flour, liquids, and sweeteners accurately.

2. Use ripe fruits: Bananas, applesauce, and mangoes not only add flavor but help with moisture and binding.

3. Don’t overmix: Overmixing can make cakes dense. Stir until ingredients just combine.

4. Check doneness: Use a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

5. Experiment with frostings: Vegan buttercream, coconut cream, or chocolate ganache can elevate any cake.

---

Conclusion

Vegan cakes are delicious, versatile, and surprisingly easy to make. With these 15 recipes—from classic chocolate and red velvet to fruity lemon, mango, and apple cakes—there’s a dessert for every occasion. By using plant-based ingredients, simple substitutions, and natural flavorings, you can enjoy moist, flavorful, and indulgent desserts that everyone can enjoy, regardless of dietary preference.

Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just a personal treat, these easy vegan cakes prove that plant-based desserts can be just as decadent as traditional ones. Sweet, satisfying, and compassionate—these cakes are perfect for every baker and every occasion.