Sticking to a plant-based diet doesn’t mean skipping dessert! And you don’t need to be a super-skilled baker to master the art of vegan cakes, either.
Here is our list of easy vegan cake recipes that are perfect for birthday parties, weddings, or any occasion where you have a sweet tooth.
1. The Best Vegan Chocolate Cake
This rich chocolate cake is the perfect dessert for chocolate-loving vegans. The cake is super soft, and it has a hearty coat of vegan buttercream on top. It tastes delicious with some nuts or sprinkles on top as well.
You can have this yummy chocolate cake ready to enjoy in about an hour from start to finish. It takes a bit of work, but the process is overall pretty simple.
It’s very rich, so be sure to pair this chocolate cake with a glass of your favorite vegan milk!
2. Vegan Vanilla Cake
Many people overlook vanilla cake in favor of chocolate, but those who do are missing out, especially when talking about this recipe from Loving It Vegan.
This vanilla cake is super light and fluffy. It has a creamy vanilla frosting and a topping of fresh strawberries. It’s the perfect cake for summertime birthdays!
Bear in mind that this recipe makes a fairly small cake. If you’re hoping to feed a crowd, you may need to double or triple the recipe.
3. Easy Vegan Vanilla Cake (7 Ingredients)
Many vegan recipes have a long list of hard-to-find ingredients. If you’re not in the mood for a hectic shopping trip, this is the recipe for you.
This easy vanilla cake requires just seven ingredients, most of which you might already have in your home. Moreover, it’s super easy to put together, making it ideal for newbie vegan bakers!
Preparing this cake only takes around ten minutes, and it cooks for just over twenty. It’s a great choice when you’re looking for a dessert in a pinch.
4. Vegan Chocolate Cake
While a lot of vegan desserts contain peanut and tree nuts, this vegan chocolate cake from Pick Up Limes is nut-free. So if you’re allergic to nuts but craving something sweet, this is the cake recipe for you!
This chocolate cake is super rich and has a chocolatey frosting to match. But if you want more variety in this dessert, you could use strawberry or vanilla frosting instead.
Consider topping this cake with some fresh berries to add some color and flavor!
5. Easy Vegan Carrot Cake
Carrot cake is one of the most underrated cake flavors. If you’re a fan of this sweet and nutty dessert, consider giving this recipe a try.
Crunchy walnuts add a lot of texture to this carrot cake, and you can sprinkle even more on top of the frosting if you’d like!
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger combine to give this recipe the iconic carrot cake flavor you know and love.
A cheesecake simply isn’t complete without cream cheese frosting. Fortunately, this recipe shows you how to make a rich cream cheese frosting without a trace of milk!
6. Super Moist Vegan Carrot Cake
If you prefer your cakes soft and moist, this carrot cake from The Spruce Eats may be your new favorite dessert. The cinnamon applesauce is what brings out the flavor and texture of this classic American cake.
Don’t forget to make the vegan cream cheese frosting–a carrot cake simply isn’t complete without it.
The walnuts and rich flavor make this cake super filling, so be sure to enjoy it on an empty stomach.
7. 20 Minute Vegan Banana Cake
Do you have some overripe bananas lying around your kitchen? Don’t let them go to waste–use them in this easy vegan banana cake recipe instead!
This is the perfect dessert if you prefer your cakes light and frosting-free. It’s fairly easy to prepare, and you can have it ready to enjoy in around twenty minutes.
With only seven ingredients, this dessert is as simple as they come.
8. Vegan Banana Cake
Ripe bananas bring out the sweetness in this vegan cake recipe. While the recipe doesn’t include them, this dessert would taste great with some walnuts or chocolate chips on top.
Preparing this banana cake is fairly simple, and it only requires a handful of ingredients. It takes quite a while from start to finish, but most of that process is baking. So once you’ve mixed the ingredients and put them in the oven, you’re free to relax until the cake is ready!
9. Vegan Chocolate Banana Cake
Nothing goes together quite like chocolate and bananas! This chocolate banana cake from Domestic Gothess is perfect for potlucks or birthday parties.
So if you’re hoping to use up your ripe bananas but want something a bit more special than plain old banana bread, you’ll want to give this cake a try. The peanut butter ganache topping makes this cake truly one of a kind.
10. Vegan Strawberry Cake
If you’re looking for the perfect cake for summertime potlucks, this vegan strawberry cake from Rainbow Nourishments may be the way to go.
Preparing it is pretty easy, so this can make an excellent dessert for beginners. Even people who aren’t vegans will ask for seconds once they try this cake.
This recipe gets all of its flavors and colors from real strawberries, so make sure to stock up on this ingredient when it’s in season.
11. Vegan Strawberry Cake (Gluten-Free)
Are you searching for a vegan-friendly and gluten-free dessert? This yummy strawberry cake from Minimalist Baker is the recipe for you!
It has all the flavors and textures of a regular strawberry cake, but without any animal products or gluten.
When you top it off with your favorite vegan frosting or chocolate ganache, it can make a truly decadent dessert.
12. Best-Ever Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes
These tasty vanilla cupcakes are perfect for parties, potlucks, or gatherings with loved ones.
Applesauce serves as a replacement for eggs in this recipe and gives the cake a super moist texture. You can replace oil with even more applesauce if you’re hoping for a reduced-fat dessert.
Don’t forget to top these cupcakes with some vegan frosting! A dash of sprinkles or sliced fruit can add a bit of color as well.
13. Vegan Peanut Butter Cake With Chocolate Peanut Butter Glaze
If you’re a vegan, there’s a good chance you’re a big fan of peanut butter. This simple protein-rich ingredient is a staple in several vegan desserts and pairs wonderfully with chocolate–and this cake is a prime example of that!
This peanut butter cake is very easy to put together, and the ingredients are budget-friendly. It’s so flavorful that your non-vegan friends may not even spot the difference.
14. Best Vegan Lemon Cake Recipe (Moist & Easy)
This fruity cake from Bianca Zapatka is a delicious spring or summertime dessert. It’s super moist, full of citrusy lemon flavor, and even has a strawberry glaze on top.
This lemon cake is the perfect centerpiece for a gathering with some friends. It also tastes great when coupled with a cup of chamomile tea.
If you’re looking for even more fruity flavor, consider adding some fresh berries to the cake mix. Or, if you want some more texture in your dessert, you could add some poppy seeds as well.
15. Vegan Lemon Cake (Gluten-Free)
Even if you’re sensitive to gluten, you can still enjoy a rich and hearty vegan cake. This lemon cake from The Big Man’s World has all the flavor of a standard lemon cake, sans the gluten or animal products.
This cake is tasty enough on its own, but if you prefer your cake with a topping, don’t fret. This recipe also includes instructions for a lemon-flavored cream cheese frosting and a vanilla glaze!
16. Vegan Coffee Cake
If you’re a coffee enthusiast, you’re probably a big fan of coffee cake as well. Here’s a recipe for some tasty vegan coffee cake from The Plant-Based School!
This cake has a soft and spongy texture and a rich coffee flavor. It even has an optional hazelnut filling, so if you prefer your cakes with frosting, you’ll want to include that. There’s also a creamy coffee custard that goes in the center.
Enjoy this cake with a cup of plant-based milk because it’s pretty rich!
17. Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
This cinnamon streusel coffee cake is a must-have for tea parties. It makes a great weekend breakfast for those mornings when you wake up with a sweet tooth, too.
The cinnamon streusel topping is what truly makes this cake something special. It has a glaze topping made from powdered sugar as well.
Despite the name, there isn’t actually any coffee in this cake. However, it pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee!
18. Fudgy Vegan Chocolate Cake
Even if you’re serving a group of non-vegans, this fudgy vegan chocolate cake from Butternut Bakery is an excellent crowd-pleaser. It’s super-rich and flavorful without any dairy or eggs.
The applesauce is the key to the moist texture of this chocolate cake. The recipe also includes a pinch of espresso powder to help bring out the chocolate flavor.
When you top it with the creamy vegan chocolate frosting, it’s a truly remarkable dessert. Add some vegan chocolate chips or your favorite nuts to decorate!
19. Vegan Funfetti Cake
Funfetti cake is the perfect centerpiece for any birthday party. Kids and adults alike will smile when you cut into this cake and reveal its colorful confetti batter.
This cake can work great without frosting, but for the full experience, you’ll want to make the vegan buttercream linked on the website. Top with more sprinkles or vegan candies for a cake bursting with color!
You can easily make this cake gluten-free or sugar-free if you’re serving a crowd with food sensitivities. Alternatively, you can reduce the fat by replacing the oil with some unsweetened applesauce.
20. Vegan Ube Flan Cake
If you’re hoping for a cake that stands out from the rest, consider throwing together this vegan ube flan cake. It’s moist, full of flavor, and super colorful!
This cake gets its purple color from ube, a sweet potato common in Filipino desserts. You can find ube extract at many Asian grocery stores. Alternatively, you can purchase it online.
The main ingredients of this cake’s flan topping are coconut milk and soy milk. But rest assured, it’s just as creamy as your typical flan dessert!
21. Vegan Blueberry Cake With Lemon Zest
Nothing goes together quite like blueberries and lemon. If you’re fond of this popular fruity flavor combo, this vegan blueberry cake with lemon zest is the dessert for you.
Preparing this yummy dessert is super easy. You can have it in the oven in under ten minutes! Overall, it’s a great recipe for amateur vegan bakers.
This cake has a flavor and texture similar to a blueberry muffin. So if you have a sweet tooth one morning, you could prepare this as a special breakfast for your family.
To enrich the experience, enjoy this blueberry cake with a cup of lemon chamomile tea.
22. Vegan Apple Cake
If there’s one dessert that says fall, it’s a hearty apple cake. You can enjoy this nostalgic, plant-based autumn dessert with this vegan apple cake from BBC Good Food.
Tangy granny smith apples are the key to this yummy dessert. Don’t forget the almond extract and sliced almond topping–they add an essential nutty twist!
For the best experience, enjoy this vegan apple cake with a cup of steaming apple cider.
23. Vegan German Apple Cake
German apple cake, or apfelkuchen, typically includes dairy milk and eggs. Fortunately, this recipe from The Simple Green means you can enjoy this dessert even if you’re sticking to a plant-based diet.
This German apple cake is the perfect dessert to bake on a chilly autumn day. You can eat it warm and pair it with your favorite hot drink.
This cake is super soft and has the perfect blend of apple and cinnamon. It’s moist enough to enjoy on its own, but it’s popular to top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream as well.
This dessert is not only tasty, but it’s pleasing to the eye as well! Arrange the apples in a spiral pattern on top for a vegan cake that will wow your guests.
24. Vegan Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Pineapple upside-down cake has been around for roughly a century! Today, you can enjoy this 1920s dessert without using any animal products, and it’ll be just as delicious as ever.
The fluffy sponge cake absorbs the crushed pineapple on the bottom, giving this cake a super juicy texture. In addition, this recipe includes some maraschino cherries for an extra burst of sweetness.
The fresh and tropical flavor of this recipe makes it a great cake for summertime pool parties. While not necessary, it can taste great with some light vegan whipped cream on top!
25. Vegan Raspberry Cake
When raspberries are in season, you’ll want to use them right away, as they tend to spoil rather quickly. And what better way to do that than to bake them into a yummy raspberry cake?
You can use frozen raspberries for this recipe, but they won’t be quite the same as fresh ones.
This raspberry cake has two layers and a hearty serving of vegan buttercream. There’s also a gooey raspberry surprise in the center, making this cake even more special.
The bright pink color of this vegan raspberry cake makes it an excellent Valentine’s Day recipe. Consider baking this dessert for someone you love!
26. Vegan Rainbow Cake Recipe
Vegan cakes can be just as colorful and cheery as any other, and this recipe from Vega Reception is proof! It’s the perfect cake for birthday parties or pride month.
Because it has so many layers, preparing this cake is rather time-consuming. However, the process is fairly simple, and with a little time and patience, an amateur baker can still master it.
If you want to keep things all-natural, you can make food dye from scratch using various fruits and vegetables.
When you top this cake with homemade vegan buttercream, it’s a truly beautiful dessert.
27. 6 Layer Vegan Rainbow Cake
Rainbow cake is such a fun dessert that we couldn’t include just one on this list. So here’s another easy vegan rainbow cake from Beeyond Cereal!
Between each cake tier is a layer of homemade vegan frosting. This cake also includes a ganache topping for a bit of a chocolatey twist.
When you cut into this cake, you’ll see six layers of colorful goodness. You’ll definitely want to take a picture of the inside!
It’s a bit lighter on the frosting than the previous option, so if you’re seeking a cake that isn’t super-rich, this is the one you’ll want to try.
28. Vegan Red Velvet Cake
Because of its cream cheese frosting and red dyes, standard red velvet cake is far from vegan-friendly. But with this recipe from Make It Dairy Free, you can enjoy a yummy plant-based alternative for this nostalgic cake.
When you make this recipe, make sure you find a vegan red dye, as many options include animal products. Or, if you’d like something a bit more natural, you could use beet powder instead.
Don’t forget the cream cheese frosting! You can easily make it vegan, and this recipe includes a separate link for how you can do that.
29. Vegan Pound Cake
When it comes to baking, pound cake is about as easy as it gets. So if you’re a beginning vegan baker, you’ll want to give this recipe from Wife Mama Foodie a try.
This recipe is fairly similar to traditional pound cake; instead of dairy milk, it uses almond milk and includes vegan yogurt or sour cream as well.
For the best experience, top this pound cake with some vegan whipped cream and your favorite fruit! The recipe includes a link to instructions for strawberry sauce if you’d like to make this dessert even more special.
30. Vegan Pumpkin Cake
As autumn rolls around, many of us yearn for the smell of delicious pumpkin desserts. To satisfy that yearly craving, consider making this delicious vegan pumpkin cake from Where You Get Your Protein.
This recipe calls for canned pumpkin puree, so getting that autumn flavor is as simple as can be. As a bonus, it gives the cake a soft and moist texture!
The cinnamon and pumpkin spice help bring out the autumn flavors of this delicious cake. And when you top it with a hearty slather of vegan cream cheese frosting, it’s a truly rich and satisfying dessert.
31. Easy Vegan Peanut Butter Mug Cake
When it comes to easy vegan cake recipes, it truly can’t get any easier than a mug cake!
This vegan peanut butter mug cake from Kitchen Treaty is the perfect dessert for college students or people without ovens. Alternatively, it’s great for days when you’re seeking a quick and easy dessert.
This cake is super soft and full of chocolate and peanut butter, one of the most iconic dessert flavor combos. It’s pretty rich, too, so save some non-dairy milk to enjoy with it!
Easy Vegan Cake Recipes, Final Thoughts
From standard chocolate cakes to colorful rainbow cakes, there are plenty of amazing desserts (like these pancakes) to choose from on a plant-based diet.
Are you craving something sweet and yummy? Be sure to give at least one of these recipes a try–you won’t regret it!