The Best Vegan Red Velvet Cake You’ll Ever Make

Red velvet cake is a classic dessert known for its vibrant red hue, subtle chocolate undertones, and tangy cream cheese frosting. Traditionally made with buttermilk and eggs, our vegan version captures all the beloved flavors and textures without any animal products.

Whether you’re vegan, dairy-free, or just curious, this recipe offers a moist, fluffy, and visually stunning cake that’s surprisingly easy to make. For those new to plant-based cooking, it’s a great starting point, just like our simple 20-minute vegan lo mein for a quick weeknight dinner. Let’s explore what makes red velvet so special, the smart ingredient choices behind this vegan adaptation, and how you can bake and decorate the perfect cake for any celebration.

What Makes Red Velvet Cake Unique

Red velvet cake is more than just a red-colored cake; it’s characterized by the interplay of mild cocoa, acidity, and a moist tender crumb. The subtle chocolate flavor comes from unsweetened cocoa powder, while the unique tang is traditionally achieved with buttermilk and vinegar.

These ingredients react with baking soda to create a delicate rise and enhance the cake’s signature hue. In vegan baking, these effects are cleverly replicated using plant-based milk plus vinegar, ensuring that the cake stays fluffy and flavorful without eggs or dairy.

Ingredient Science Behind the Recipe

Understanding the role of each ingredient can help you achieve flawless results. Here’s why we use these specific components:

• Vinegar: Reacts with baking soda to produce carbon dioxide, helping the cake rise and creating a tender crumb. It also intensifies the red color when combined with natural cocoa powder by revealing anthocyanins.
• Applesauce: Adds moisture and acts as a binding agent, replacing eggs. Its natural pectin helps hold the cake together, and according to guidance from PETA, it’s an excellent egg substitute in baking.
• Cake Flour: Lower protein content than all-purpose flour means less gluten formation, resulting in a lighter and softer crumb.
• Natural Cocoa Powder: Provides the mild chocolate flavor and the acidity necessary for color reactions; Dutch-processed cocoa lacks this acidity and will not yield the same color or flavor.

These ingredients work harmoniously to create a cake that is light, moist, brightly colored, and rich in subtle flavor nuances.

How to Make Vegan Red Velvet Cake

Follow these easy steps for a perfectly moist and fluffy vegan red velvet cake:

1. Prepare your pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together cake flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, mix plant-based milk with vinegar to create vegan buttermilk; add canola oil, applesauce, vanilla extract, and red vegan food coloring.
4. Make the batter: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent toughness.
5. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 35-40 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick.
6. Cool: Let the cakes cool in pans for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Frost: Once fully cooled, frost with vegan cream cheese frosting. Crumble the reserved cake tops and sprinkle for decoration if desired.

Patience in cooling and gentle mixing are key to a tender crumb and smooth frosting application.

Tips for Perfect Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

Vegan cream cheese frosting mimics the tangy richness of traditional cream cheese frosting but requires some tweaks:

• Use a high-quality vegan cream cheese that comes in blocks for firmness.
• Allow both vegan cream cheese and vegan butter to come to room temperature but avoid melting.
• Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
• For stability, add a small amount of cornstarch or increase powdered sugar if your frosting is too soft.
• Chill the frosting briefly before applying to help it set.
• Always frost when the cake is completely cool to prevent melting or slipping.

You can also try vegan buttercream or a cashew-based frosting for different flavor profiles and textures.

Decorating Ideas to Make Your Cake Stand Out

Your vegan red velvet cake is a canvas for creativity! Here are some decoration ideas:

• Classic piping: Use a star tip to pipe swirls or rosettes around the cake’s edges.
• Crumble topping: Sprinkle some of the trimmed cake crumbs over the frosting for texture and color contrast.
• Fresh fruit: Add raspberries or strawberries for a natural splash of color and tartness.
• Edible flowers or vegan sprinkles for festive occasions.
• Layer variation: Add a thin layer of vegan chocolate ganache or fruit preserves between the cake layers for extra flavor.

These simple touches can elevate your cake’s visual appeal and delight your guests.

Variations for Different Occasions

You can easily adapt the recipe for different formats and preferences:

• 9×13 inch cake: Pour batter into a greased 9×13 pan and bake for 40-50 minutes. Results in a thinner, denser cake perfect for casual gatherings. For a full party menu, you could pair it with a crowd-pleasing main course like our easy and cheesy vegan manicotti.
• Sheet cake: Use an 11×17 inch pan, baking 20-25 minutes for party-sized portions.
• Cupcakes: Use the same batter in lined muffin tins, bake 18-22 minutes. Decorate individually with frosting swirls.
• Gluten-free version: Substitute cake flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend like Better Batter. Expect a denser texture.
• Natural food coloring: For a less intense red, substitute artificial dyes with beet powder or juice, but note color fading.

Experimenting with these can help you tailor the cake to your event’s needs and dietary requirements.

How to Store Your Vegan Red Velvet Cake

Proper storage preserves the cake’s moistness and freshness:

• Refrigerate the cake because vegan cream cheese frosting softens at room temperature.
• Store in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Before serving, let the cake sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes to enhance flavor and texture.
• You can freeze unfrosted layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before frosting.

Avoid leaving the cake out uncovered for long periods as this can cause it to dry or the frosting to slide off.

Troubleshooting Common Vegan Baking Problems

Baking vegan red velvet cake can occasionally present challenges. Here’s how to solve them:

• Dense or gummy cake: Might stem from overmixing or incorrect flour measurement. According to baking experts, using a kitchen scale for precision and folding ingredients gently is crucial.
• Dry cake: Overbaking or too much flour causes dryness. Check oven temperatures with a thermometer; consider reducing baking time slightly.
• Color fading or browning: Using Dutch-processed cocoa or natural colorants like beet powder may reduce color vibrancy. Use non-Dutch cocoa and high-quality vegan red gel food coloring for best color.
• Frosting runs or becomes too soft: Ensure the cake layers are completely cool before frosting and chill frosting if needed. Add powdered sugar or a stabilizer like cornstarch to thicken the frosting.

Following these tips will help you turn out the perfect vegan red velvet cake every time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Red Velvet Cake

Is this cake really vegan? Yes! This recipe uses no animal products — plant-based milk, applesauce instead of eggs, and vegan cream cheese.

Can I use other plant-based milks? Absolutely. Soy, oat, almond, or cashew milk all work well.

Is red food coloring vegan? Many are not. As Tasting Table explains, you should choose brands labeled vegan or try natural alternatives like beet powder, which may yield a softer color.

Can I make the batter ahead? It’s best to bake the cake soon after making the batter to ensure full rise from the leavening agents.

How should I store leftovers? Refrigerate with a cover and bring to room temp before serving.

Can I make a gluten-free version? Yes, use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, but expect a slightly different texture.

Conclusion

This vegan red velvet cake recipe delivers all the beloved qualities of the classic dessert—moisture, subtle chocolate flavor, vibrant color, and tangy frosting—without any animal ingredients. With thoughtful ingredient choices like vinegar for lift and color, applesauce for moisture, and cake flour for a tender crumb, this recipe is approachable and reliable for bakers of all levels.

Try the various baking formats and frostings, and use the troubleshooting tips to perfect your creation. Whether for holidays, birthdays, or anytime treats, this cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!