Vegan Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade vegan red velvet cake with rich cocoa flavor and all-natural beetroot coloring. This easy baking recipe produces a moist, tender crumb that rivals any traditional version, topped with tangy dairy-free cream cheese frosting for an irresistible plant-based dessert.

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Prep Time:

30 mins

Cook Time:

35 mins

Serves:

1 cake (12 slices)

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the cake:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300g all-purpose flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">50g unsweetened cocoa powder</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp baking soda</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120ml vegetable oil</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300ml plant milk (soy or almond works best)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp apple cider vinegar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 tbsp beetroot powder (or 60ml beetroot juice concentrate)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp red food coloring (optional, for deeper color)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the frosting:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">450g vegan cream cheese (room temperature)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120g vegan butter (room temperature)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300g powdered sugar, sifted</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp lemon juice</li></ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 slice

🔥 Calories: 368 calories

🥑 Fat: 18 g

🧈 Saturated Fat: 4 g

🍞 Carbohydrates: 48 g

🍭 Sugar: 32 g

🍗 Protein: 4 g

🫀 Cholesterol: 0 mg

🧂 Sodium: 320 mg

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Two 20cm (8-inch) round cake tins</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Electric mixer (hand or stand)</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Offset spatula</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Cake turntable (optional but helpful)</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line the bottoms of two 20cm cake tins with parchment paper. Lightly grease the sides with a small amount of vegetable oil or vegan butter.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>In a measuring jug, combine the plant milk and apple cider vinegar. Stir briefly and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to create a vegan buttermilk. This acidic mixture will help activate the baking soda and create a tender crumb in your cake.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking these dry ingredients together ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and prevents cocoa lumps for a smooth batter.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>In a separate large bowl, whisk together the sugar and oil until well combined. The oil will create moisture in your cake without needing eggs. Add the vanilla extract, beetroot powder (or juice), and food coloring if using. Mix until the color is evenly distributed throughout.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Pour the curdled plant milk mixture into your wet ingredients and whisk until fully incorporated. The mixture may look slightly curdled, but this is normal and will create a wonderful texture in the finished cake.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – stop when you no longer see dry flour (overmixing activates gluten, which can make your cake tough).</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Divide the batter evenly between your prepared cake tins. Tap the tins gently on the counter a few times to release any large air bubbles that might create holes in your finished cake.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. The cakes should be slightly pulling away from the sides of the tins.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Allow the cakes to cool in their tins for 10 minutes before carefully running a knife around the edges and turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling properly is crucial – if you frost a warm cake, your frosting will melt!</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>While the cakes cool, prepare your frosting. In a large bowl, beat the vegan cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy (about 2 minutes). The room temperature ingredients are essential for a smooth frosting without lumps.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing on low speed initially to avoid a sugar cloud, then increasing to medium speed once incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and lemon juice, then beat for another 3-4 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy. The lemon juice brightens the flavor and mimics the tanginess of traditional cream cheese.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4>Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread about one-third of the frosting evenly over the top. Place the second layer on top and use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake. For a classic red velvet look, you can leave some of the red cake peeking through the sides with a "naked" frosting technique.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 13</h4>For the best flavor, refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set and the flavors to meld together. Bring to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving for the ideal texture and taste. Your beautiful vegan red velvet cake will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Vegan Red Velvet Cake Recipe?

This vegan cake uses all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, vegetable oil, plant milk, apple cider vinegar, vanilla, beetroot powder for natural colouring, and optional red food colouring. The frosting combines vegan cream cheese, vegan butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice.

How to cook Vegan Red Velvet Cake Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Vegan Red Velvet Cake by creating a vegan buttermilk with plant milk and apple cider vinegar, mixing your dry and wet ingredients separately, combining them gently, then dividing between two cake tins. Bake at 180°C for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean, then cool completely before frosting with tangy vegan cream cheese frosting.

Can beetroot powder really replace artificial food colouring in red velvet cake?

Absolutely! Beetroot powder provides a natural rich burgundy-red colour to your cake while adding subtle earthy sweetness. For a more vibrant shade, you'll need 2-3 tablespoons, and combining it with cocoa powder creates that classic red velvet hue without artificial additives or potential allergens.

Why did my vegan cream cheese frosting turn out runny?

Runny vegan cream cheese frosting typically results from ingredients being too warm or over-mixing. Always use room temperature (not warm) vegan cream cheese and butter, add powdered sugar gradually, avoid over-beating, and refrigerate the frosting for 30 minutes before use if needed.

How do I achieve the perfect moist texture in eggless red velvet cake?

For moist eggless red velvet cake, the vegan buttermilk (plant milk + apple cider vinegar) is crucial as it reacts with baking soda to create lift. Don't overmix the batter once flour is added, use enough oil for richness, and be careful not to overbake—remove when a toothpick has a few crumbs.

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