What cake can vegans eat? A guide to plant-based deliciousness

November 7, 2025 •

5 min read

Did you know that many traditional cake recipes can be easily adapted to be vegan, thanks to the wide availability of plant-based substitutes? This means there is a vast and delicious world of options to explore when asking what cake can vegans eat?

Quick Summary

Vegans can enjoy a wide variety of cakes, including chocolate, vanilla, and carrot cakes, by using plant-based alternatives for eggs, butter, and milk in recipes. Many store-bought mixes are also accidentally vegan, making it easier than ever to bake.

Key Points

Variety is Vast: Vegans can eat many different types of cakes, from classic chocolate and vanilla to carrot cake and red velvet, all made with plant-based ingredients.
Smart Substitutions: Eggs, milk, and butter can be easily replaced with plant-based alternatives like flax eggs, soy milk, and vegan butter sticks.
Store-Bought Options: Many boxed cake mixes from popular brands like Duncan Hines are accidentally vegan; just use plant-based ingredients for the wet components.
Master Egg Replacers: Choose the right egg substitute for the job, such as aquafaba for light sponges or applesauce for moist, dense cakes.
Check for Hidden Ingredients: Always read labels for non-vegan components like certain sugars, gelatin, or specific colorings, especially for frosting and sprinkles.
Vegan Frosting: Plant-based alternatives for buttercream, cream cheese frosting, and ganache are simple to make and use.

A common misconception about a vegan diet is that it means giving up all your favorite foods, including cake. In reality, thanks to a wealth of creative cooking techniques and high-quality plant-based ingredients, virtually any classic cake can be made vegan. The key is understanding the role that animal-derived ingredients play and how to replace them effectively.

The Foundations of Vegan Cake Baking

A vegan cake, at its core, is simply a cake made without any ingredients that come from animals. This includes eggs, dairy milk, and butter. Modern vegan baking has perfected the art of using plant-based ingredients to replicate the texture, moisture, and rise that animal products traditionally provide.

Egg Replacements

Eggs are a major component in many traditional cake recipes, acting as a binder, leavening agent, and providing structure. Fortunately, several readily available vegan options can mimic these functions.

Flax Egg: Made by combining ground flaxseed with water, this creates a gelatinous mixture that is excellent for binding ingredients together.
Applesauce or Mashed Banana: A quarter-cup of unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana can replace one egg, adding moisture and a subtle sweetness. This works best in denser, heartier cakes.
Aquafaba: The liquid from a can of chickpeas can be whipped to create a foam similar to whipped egg whites, making it ideal for lighter, fluffier cakes or meringues.
Baking Soda and Vinegar: The reaction between an acid and a base can create bubbles that help leaven a cake, providing a good lift for sponges and muffins.

Dairy Alternatives

Replacing dairy milk and butter is often the easiest part of vegan baking.

Plant-Based Milks: Soy, almond, oat, and coconut milk can be swapped in a 1:1 ratio for dairy milk. Soy milk is often preferred for its higher protein content, which can aid in structure, while oat milk adds a rich creaminess.
Vegan Butter: Solid vegan butter sticks are available from brands like Miyoko's or Earth Balance and are the best replacement for recipes requiring cold, solid butter.
Oils and Fruit Purees: For recipes calling for melted butter, liquid oils like vegetable or coconut oil can be used. For added moisture and flavor, options like applesauce or mashed bananas also work well.

Naturally Vegan Cake Types

Some cake recipes are inherently easy to veganize, or even start out with plant-based ingredients. These are often great for beginners.

Carrot Cake: This spiced cake already features grated carrots for moisture and texture, making it straightforward to adapt with vegan cream cheese frosting.
Chocolate Cake: A classic "depression-era" or "Wacky Cake" recipe doesn't use eggs or dairy. A simple combination of flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and vinegar creates a rich, decadent sponge.
Fruit Cakes: Many fruit-based recipes, such as apple cake or banana bread, are naturally moist and rely less on eggs for structure, making substitutions simple.

Table: Regular vs. Vegan Cake Ingredients


Function	Regular Cake Ingredient	Common Vegan Alternative	Notes
Binder	Egg	Flax egg, chia egg	Holds ingredients together, slight nutty flavor with flax/chia.
Moisture	Dairy milk	Soy, almond, oat milk	Choose based on flavor; soy and oat are often creamier.
Richness	Butter	Vegan butter, coconut oil	Best for cookies and flaky crusts; fat content varies.
Leavening	Egg, Baking powder	Aquafaba, Baking soda + vinegar	Aquafaba whips like egg white for fluffiness.
Filling	Cream cheese, Cream	Cashew cream, Vegan yogurt	Requires blending for smoothness; adds richness.
Sweetener	Refined white sugar	Organic cane sugar, maple syrup	Some refined sugar uses bone char; organic is a safe bet.

How to Find or Make Vegan Cakes

Baking from Scratch

With a little practice, creating vegan cakes from scratch can be incredibly rewarding. Reputable food blogs and dedicated vegan cooking websites offer a multitude of recipes, from classic vanilla sponges to elaborate multi-layered creations. When baking, ensure your ingredients are at room temperature and don't overmix the batter.

Using Boxed Cake Mixes

Many store-bought cake mixes are "accidentally vegan," meaning they do not contain animal products in their dry ingredients. Major brands like Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker offer several mixes that just require you to add your own plant-based substitutes for eggs and milk. Always double-check the ingredients list, as formulations can vary. A simple swap for the eggs might be using a flax egg or a combination of baking soda and vinegar.

Buying Pre-Made Cakes

For those who prefer not to bake, a growing number of bakeries and grocery stores now offer pre-made vegan cakes. Many specialty vegan bakeries offer a huge range of celebratory cakes, cupcakes, and other treats. Health food stores and larger supermarkets also carry accidentally vegan options in their freezer or bakery section. Always read the label or ask the baker to be certain.

Frosting and Decorating

No cake is complete without frosting and decorations, and the vegan options are plentiful.

Vegan Buttercream: This can be made easily by beating softened vegan butter with powdered sugar and a splash of plant-based milk.
Chocolate Ganache: A rich ganache can be made using dark chocolate (ensure it's dairy-free) and full-fat coconut cream.
Cream Cheese Frosting: For carrot or red velvet cakes, a decadent vegan cream cheese frosting can be made with vegan cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vegan butter.
Sprinkles and Toppings: Many sprinkles contain confectioner's glaze, which can be non-vegan. Look for brands that specify they are vegan-friendly.

The Variety Is Endless

From a simple loaf cake for a weeknight treat to a show-stopping birthday cake, the vegan world offers all the flavor and texture of traditional cakes without the animal products. By mastering a few key substitutions, you can open up a world of delightful desserts. Whether you're a seasoned vegan or just starting to explore plant-based options, baking a delicious vegan cake is both simple and rewarding. For more on the science of vegan egg substitutes, read this VegKit's guide on egg substitutes.

Conclusion

So, what cake can vegans eat? The answer is virtually any cake imaginable. The secret lies in using high-quality plant-based alternatives for eggs, milk, and butter. Whether you're baking from a simple, naturally vegan recipe, adapting a traditional one with clever substitutes, or using a convenient boxed mix, the options are limitless. Vegan baking is no longer a niche market but a vibrant and accessible culinary field that allows everyone to enjoy a delicious slice of cake, guilt-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

To make a cake recipe vegan, simply swap out the animal products. Use a plant-based milk (e.g., soy or oat) in place of dairy milk, vegan butter or oil instead of dairy butter, and an egg replacer like a flax egg, mashed banana, or applesauce.

Some store-bought cake mixes are 'accidentally vegan,' meaning the dry mix does not contain animal products. Brands like Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker have several options. You must still use plant-based alternatives for the required eggs, milk, and butter.

The best egg substitute depends on the cake's purpose. Flax or chia eggs work well as binders in denser cakes like brownies or muffins, while aquafaba (chickpea liquid) is excellent for creating a lighter, fluffier texture in sponge cakes.

Yes, you can use coconut oil to replace butter in many vegan cake recipes. It can add a slight coconut flavor, so choose refined coconut oil for a neutral taste. For recipes requiring solid butter, use a hardened form of coconut oil or a stick-style vegan butter.

No, not all sprinkles are vegan. Some brands use confectioner's glaze, which can be made from shellac (derived from beetles), or have other non-vegan additives. Always check the ingredients list for vegan certification or look for brands that specify plant-based ingredients.

In the United States, some white sugars are processed using bone char, which is an animal product. Many vegans opt for organic cane sugar, beet sugar, or other unrefined sweeteners to avoid this. In other regions, like the UK, this is less common.

Besides the obvious eggs, milk, and butter, other ingredients to watch out for include whey, casein, lactose (all milk-derived), honey, and gelatin, which is often used in glazes or fillings.