10 Perfect Vegan Yellow Cake Recipes

Vegan yellow cake? Oh, honey, you’re in for a treat! 🍰✨

Let me tell you, as someone who’s been elbow-deep in vegan baking for years, finding the perfect yellow cake recipe is like striking gold. It’s that classic, nostalgic flavor we all crave, but without any of the animal products. Genius, right?

I’ve teamed up with some of the best vegan bakers I know to bring you a list that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. We’re talking fluffy, moist, and downright delicious cakes that’ll fool even the most ardent dairy-lovers.

From simple one-bowl wonders to fancy layered creations, we’ve got options for every skill level and occasion. Whether you’re whipping something up for a birthday, a potluck, or just because it’s Tuesday (hey, no judgment here), these recipes have got you covered.

So grab your apron, preheat that oven, and let’s dive into some seriously scrumptious vegan yellow cake goodness. Trust me, your only regret will be not trying these sooner!

Classic Vegan Yellow Cake

Alright, let’s kick things off with the OG – the classic vegan yellow cake.

This bad boy is your go-to for pretty much any occasion. Birthday? Check. Office potluck? You betcha. Wednesday night Netflix binge? Absolutely.

The secret to this beauty is a combination of plant-based milk (I’m partial to soy, but you do you), apple cider vinegar for that perfect rise, and a touch of turmeric for that gorgeous yellow hue.

Mix your wet ingredients, fold in the dry ones, and pop it in the oven. Voila! In about 30 minutes, you’ll have a cake that’s so moist and fluffy, you’ll want to face-plant right into it. (No judgment if you do, by the way.)

Pro tip: This recipe is super versatile. Want to make cupcakes instead? Go for it! Feeling fancy? Split it into layers and slather on some vegan buttercream. The world is your (vegan) oyster!

Lemon Zest Vegan Yellow Cake

Okay, lemon lovers, this one’s for you!

Picture this: a sunny yellow cake with a zippy lemon kick that’ll make your taste buds do the cha-cha. Sounds dreamy, right?

The star of the show here is fresh lemon zest. Don’t skimp on this, folks – that zesty goodness is what takes this cake from “oh, that’s nice” to “HOT DAMN, GIVE ME MORE!”

You’ll mix your usual suspects – flour, sugar, plant milk – but then you’ll add a generous helping of lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice. The result? A cake that’s bright, cheery, and perfect for spring (or any time you need a little sunshine in your life).

I once made this for a friend’s baby shower, and let me tell you, it was gone faster than you can say “vegan baking rocks.” True story.

Vanilla Bean Vegan Yellow Cake

Vanilla lovers, unite! This cake is like a warm hug for your taste buds.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Vanilla? Boring!” But hold your horses, friend. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill vanilla cake. Oh no, we’re talking real vanilla bean action here.

You’ll scrape those tiny black specks out of a vanilla pod and mix them right into your batter. It’s like adding little flecks of heaven, I swear.

The result is a cake that’s rich, fragrant, and anything but bland. It’s the kind of cake that’ll have people asking, “Are you SURE this is vegan?”

Pair it with some vegan vanilla bean ice cream, and you’ve got yourself a dessert that’ll make you want to do a happy dance. (Go ahead, I won’t tell anyone.)

Coconut Vegan Yellow Cake

Alright, tropical vibes, anyone? This coconut vegan yellow cake is like a vacation for your mouth.

We’re talking shredded coconut in the batter, coconut milk for moisture, and even a sprinkle of toasted coconut on top if you’re feeling fancy. It’s coconut-ception, and it’s FABULOUS.

The coconut adds a subtle sweetness and a lovely texture that’ll have you coming back for seconds (or thirds… or fourths… look, I don’t judge).

I once brought this to a beach picnic, and let me tell you, it was a bigger hit than the actual ocean. People were literally fighting over the last slice. (Okay, maybe not literally, but there was some serious cake envy going on.)

Almond Joy Vegan Yellow Cake

Remember those Almond Joy candy bars? Well, this cake is like that, but BETTER. And vegan. And in cake form. So… not really like that at all, but you get the idea.

We’re combining the classic yellow cake base with almond extract, shredded coconut, and chunks of vegan chocolate. It’s a flavor explosion that’ll have you wondering why you ever ate regular candy bars in the first place.

The key here is to not overmix your batter when you add the coconut and chocolate. You want those babies distributed evenly, not pulverized into oblivion.

I made this for my mom’s birthday last year, and she honest-to-goodness cried. Tears of joy, people. That’s the power of good vegan baking.

Orange Creamsicle Vegan Yellow Cake

Nostalgia alert! This cake tastes like summer vacation and orange popsicles all rolled into one delicious package.

We’re talking fresh orange zest, a splash of orange juice, and a hint of vanilla to create that classic creamsicle flavor. It’s like childhood in cake form, but better because, you know, it’s cake.

The trick here is to balance the orange and vanilla flavors. Too much orange and you’ve got a citrus bomb. Too much vanilla and you lose that creamsicle magic. It’s a delicate dance, but when you nail it? chef’s kiss

I once served this at a family reunion, and my carnivore uncle (you know the type) couldn’t believe it was vegan. Score one for plant-based baking!

Funfetti Vegan Yellow Cake

Who says vegans can’t have fun? This funfetti cake is here to prove that plant-based eating can be just as colorful and exciting as any other diet.

The base is your classic vegan yellow cake, but the magic happens when you fold in those vegan sprinkles. Suddenly, you’ve got a party in a pan!

Word to the wise: make sure your sprinkles are actually vegan. Some contain confectioner’s glaze, which is decidedly not plant-based. But fear not! There are plenty of vegan options out there.

This cake is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or just those days when you need a little extra color in your life. (So… every day?)

Pineapple Upside-Down Vegan Yellow Cake

Okay, retro dessert lovers, this one’s for you. We’re taking that classic pineapple upside-down cake and giving it a vegan makeover.

You’ll start by creating a caramel-like base with brown sugar and vegan butter, then arranging pineapple rings and maraschino cherries (yes, there are vegan versions!) in a pretty pattern. Pour your yellow cake batter over the top, bake, flip, and voila! Instant vintage vibes.

The contrast between the sweet, caramelized fruit and the fluffy cake is just mwah perfection. It’s like a time machine for your taste buds.

Fair warning: this cake has a tendency to disappear FAST. I once turned my back for like, two seconds at a potluck, and half the cake was gone. Learn from my mistakes, folks. Guard this one with your life.

Marbled Chocolate Vegan Yellow Cake

Can’t decide between chocolate and vanilla? Why not have both? This marbled cake is the best of both worlds.

You’ll make your basic vegan yellow cake batter, then separate out a portion to mix with cocoa powder. Then comes the fun part – swirling! It’s like creating edible art, and the result is not only beautiful but delicious.

The key here is not to overmix when you’re swirling. You want distinct streaks of chocolate and vanilla, not a muddy brown mess. (Although, let’s be real, even a muddy brown mess would probably still taste amazing.)

This cake is perfect for those “I can’t make up my mind” moments. Which, in my case, is pretty much all the time when it comes to dessert.

Vegan Yellow Cake with Strawberry Filling

Last but certainly not least, we have this beauty. It’s like springtime in cake form, I swear.

You’ll make your standard vegan yellow cake, but the magic happens when you slice it in half and spread a layer of homemade strawberry filling. We’re talking fresh strawberries, a bit of sugar, and a squeeze of lemon juice, all cooked down into a jammy deliciousness.

The contrast between the bright, fruity filling and the soft, vanilla-y cake is just chef’s kiss. It’s the kind of cake that makes people stop mid-conversation and say, “Oh my god, what IS this?”

I once made this for a friend’s wedding (yes, they trusted me with their WEDDING CAKE), and it was such a hit that I had guests coming up to me all night asking for the recipe. Talk about a confidence boost!

And there you have it, folks! Ten ah-mazing vegan yellow cake recipes that’ll make you wonder why you ever bothered with eggs and dairy in the first place.

Remember, baking is part science, part art, and part pure, unbridled enthusiasm. So don’t be afraid to experiment, adjust, and make these recipes your own. Who knows? You might just create the next vegan cake sensation!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, all this cake talk has made me hungry. I’ve got some baking to do! 🍰👩‍🍳