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    Home » Cakes and Cupcakes

    The Most Amazing Vegan Chocolate Cake

    Published: Mar 31, 2021 Updated: Jun 28, 2021 by Alison Andrews This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    The Most Amazing Vegan Chocolate Cake

    This is the most amazing vegan chocolate cake ever. It is extremely rich and moist, loaded with chocolate flavor and topped with a fabulous vegan chocolate buttercream frosting.

    Vegan chocolate cake on a white cake stand with one slice cut and ready to serve.

    You simply will not believe how moist and chocolatey this vegan chocolate cake is. It’s actually more like a chocolate mud cake in that respect.

    It’s so moist and delicious that NO ONE would ever guess this is a vegan cake. You will just be told over and over how it’s the best cake ever! Because it is.

    The recipe is based on the classic Hersheys chocolate cake recipe and with a few small changes it was easy to veganize.

    So it’s basically just that classic American style ultra moist fudgy chocolate cake that is to. die. for.

    For more amazing vegan cakes check out our vegan coffee cake, vegan oreo cake and our vegan white cake.

    Ingredients You’ll Need For The Cake:

    Photo of the ingredients needed to make a vegan chocolate cake.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Cocoa powder – should be natural unsweetened cocoa powder, something like Hersheys will work great.
    • Instant espresso powder – can be replaced with instant coffee powder. It doesn’t make the cake taste like coffee, but it brings out the chocolate flavor beautifully. You can leave it out though if you prefer.
    • Canola oil – can be replaced with vegetable oil or any other mild flavored oil that you like. If you use coconut oil then melt it first.
    • Flax eggs – this recipe uses two flax eggs which consists of 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds mixed with 6 tablespoons of water. This can be replaced with 6 tablespoons of applesauce or any egg replacer provided it is replacing the equivalent of 2 eggs.
    • Hot water – should be boiling hot water from a freshly boiled kettle. It’s added into the batter at the very end and makes for a thin batter, but this is exactly how it’s supposed to be.
    • Vegan buttermilk – this works with the other ingredients to make this cake super moist. We mix apple cider vinegar and soy milk and let it curdle into a thick buttermilk. You can also use almond milk. Almond milk isn’t as thick and rich as soy milk so soy milk is the best option. Alternatively you can use any non-dairy milk but just keep in mind that some non-dairy milk won’t curdle when mixed with the apple cider vinegar. You can still use it though.

    Ingredients You’ll Need For The Frosting

    Photo of the ingredients needed to make chocolate buttercream frosting.

    Frosting Notes

    The frosting is our vegan chocolate buttercream frosting and works beautifully on this cake. It’s smooth and luxurious and matches perfectly with this rich, luxurious cake.

    Another option would be to top the cake with our delicious vegan chocolate ganache. If you’re not a fan of sweet frostings like buttercream, then the vegan ganache is a good option as it’s just a mix of two ingredients: coconut cream and chocolate. So it’s not super sweet at all.

    Vegan chocolate cake on a white cake stand with one slice cut and ready to serve.

    How To Make This Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipe

    You will find full instructions and measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is a summary of the process to go along with the process photos.

    • Sift all purpose flour and cocoa powder into a mixing bowl and add white granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and instant espresso powder. Mix together.
    Two photo collage of dry ingredients added to mixing bowl and then mixed together.
    • Prepare your vegan buttermilk. Add apple cider vinegar to a measuring jug and then add soy milk up to the 1 cup (240ml) line. Let it curdle into vegan buttermilk.
    • Prepare the flax eggs. Add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed to a bowl and add 6 tablespoons of hot water. Let it sit for a minute to thicken and become gloopy.
    • Add the vegan buttermilk to the mixing bowl along with the flax eggs, oil and vanilla extract. Stir into a thick batter. Don’t over-mix.
    Collage of two photos showing wet ingredients added to mixing bowl and mixed into a cake batter.
    • Add hot water and whisk it in with a hand whisk. The batter will be thin but this is exactly how it is supposed to be.
    Collage of two photos showing hot water added to cake batter and mixed in with a hand whisk.
    • Divide the batter evenly between two 8-inch cake pans (sprayed with non-stick spray and lined with parchment paper circles at the bottom).
    • Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the cakes comes out clean.
    Collage of two photos showing cakes before and after baking.
    • Let the cakes cool in the cake pans for a few minutes before removing from the cake pans and transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
    Two photo collage showing cakes cooling on a wire cooling rack and then frosting added to the top of the cake.
    • Frost with a delicious vegan chocolate buttercream frosting.
    Frosted vegan chocolate cake on a white cake stand.

    Recipe Tips

    Spoon and level or weigh the flour. If you accidentally use too much flour then this cake won’t be as moist as it is supposed to be. So it’s ideal to measure the flour correctly. You can use the spoon and level method, which is to spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level off the top (don’t scoop it and don’t pack it into the cup) or weigh it out on a food scale for the best accuracy.

    Baking pan sizes. This cake can be made in either two 8-inch cake pans or two 9-inch cake pans. Both options work great, the 9-inch layers are just a little thinner. Bake for 35 minutes for two 8-inch cake pans and bake for 30 minutes for two 9-inch cake pans. For a 9×13 sheet cake, bake time will be 35-40 minutes.

    Slice of vegan chocolate cake on a white plate with a cake fork.

    Recipe FAQ

    Can this cake be made gluten-free?

    To make this cake gluten-free simply swap out the flour for a gluten-free all purpose flour blend. Or check out our fabulous vegan gluten free chocolate cake recipe.

    Can you make cupcakes from this recipe?

    This recipe will make 18-24 cupcakes. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Alternatively check out our recipe for classic vegan chocolate cupcakes.

    How should this cake be stored?

    Keep this cake stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the fridge (covered) for up to a week.

    Can you freeze chocolate cake?

    You can freeze the frosted or unfrosted cake for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.

    Slice of vegan chocolate cake on a white plate with a cake fork.

    More Vegan Cakes

    1. Vegan Strawberry Cake
    2. Vegan Victoria Sponge
    3. Vegan Lemon Cake
    4. Vegan Biscoff Cake
    5. Vegan Coconut Cake
    6. Vegan Carrot Cake
    Forkful of vegan chocolate cake.

    Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below!

    Vegan chocolate cake on a white cake stand with one slice cut and ready to serve.

    The Most Amazing Vegan Chocolate Cake

    This is the most amazing vegan chocolate cake ever. It is extremely rich and moist, loaded with chocolate flavor and topped with a fabulous vegan chocolate buttercream frosting. 
    5 from 21 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 312kcal
    Author: Alison Andrews

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups All Purpose Flour (250g)
    • ¾ cup Cocoa Powder (63g) Unsweetened
    • 2 cups White Granulated Sugar (400g)
    • 2 tsp Baking Soda
    • 1 tsp Baking Powder
    • 1 tsp Salt
    • 1 tsp Instant Espresso Powder
    • 1 cup Vegan Buttermilk (240ml) 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar + Soy Milk up to the 1 cup line*
    • 2 Flax Eggs 2 Tbsp Ground Flaxseed Meal + 6 Tbsp Hot Water*
    • ½ cup Canola Oil (120ml) or Vegetable Oil
    • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
    • 1 cup Boiling Hot Water (240ml)

    Frosting:

    • 1 Recipe Vegan Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and spray two 8-inch cake pans (*see notes) with non-stick spray and line the bottoms with circles of parchment paper. Set aside. 
    • Sift all purpose flour and cocoa powder into a mixing bowl and add white granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and instant espresso powder. Mix together. 
    • Prepare your vegan buttermilk. Add apple cider vinegar to a measuring jug and then add soy milk up to the 1 cup (240ml) line. Let it curdle into vegan buttermilk. 
    • Prepare the flax eggs. Add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed to a bowl and add 6 tablespoons of hot water. Let it sit for a minute to thicken and become gloopy. 
    • Add the vegan buttermilk to the mixing bowl along with the flax eggs, oil and vanilla extract. Stir into a thick batter. Don’t over-mix. 
    • Add hot water and whisk it in with a hand whisk. The batter will be thin but this is exactly how it is supposed to be. 
    • Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared 8-inch cake pans. 
    • Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the cakes comes out clean. 
    • Let the cakes cool in the cake pans for a few minutes before removing from the cake pans and transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before frosting. 
    • Frost with vegan chocolate buttercream frosting.

    Notes

    1. Spoon and level or weigh the flour. If you accidentally use too much flour then this cake won’t be as moist as it is supposed to be. So it’s ideal to measure the flour correctly. You can use the spoon and level method, which is to spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level off the top (don’t scoop it and don’t pack it into the cup) or weigh it out on a food scale for the best accuracy. 
    2. Cocoa powder – should be natural unsweetened cocoa powder, something like Hersheys will work great. 
    3. Instant espresso powder – can be replaced with instant coffee powder. It doesn’t make the cake taste like coffee, but it brings out the chocolate flavor beautifully. You can leave it out though if you prefer. 
    4. Vegan buttermilk – this works with the other ingredients to make this cake super moist. Mix apple cider vinegar and soy milk and let it curdle into a thick buttermilk. You can also use almond milk. Almond milk isn’t as thick and rich as soy milk so soy milk is the best option. Alternatively you can use any non-dairy milk but just keep in mind that some non-dairy milk won’t curdle when mixed with the apple cider vinegar. You can still use it though.
    5. Flax eggs – can be replaced with 6 tablespoons of applesauce or any egg replacer provided it is replacing the equivalent of 2 eggs. 
    6. Canola oil – can be replaced with vegetable oil or any other mild flavored oil that you like. If you use coconut oil then melt it first. 
    7. Baking pan sizes. This cake can be made in either two 8-inch cake pans or two 9-inch cake pans. Both options work great, the 9-inch layers are just a little thinner. Bake for 35 minutes for two 8-inch cake pans and bake for 30 minutes for two 9-inch cake pans. For a 9×13 sheet cake, bake time will be 35-40 minutes.  
    8. Gluten-Free: To make this cake gluten-free simply swap out the flour for a gluten-free all purpose flour blend. Or check out our fabulous vegan gluten free chocolate cake recipe. 
    9. Cupcakes: This recipe will make 18-24 cupcakes. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Alternatively check out our recipe for classic vegan chocolate cupcakes. 
    10. Storing: Keep this cake stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the fridge (covered) for up to a week. 
    11. Freezing: You can freeze the frosted or unfrosted cake for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving. 
    12. Nutritional information is for the cake only and excludes frosting. Nutritional information for the vegan chocolate buttercream frosting can be found on that separate linked recipe. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Slice | Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 53.4g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10.7g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Sodium: 470mg | Fiber: 2.9g | Sugar: 33.5g
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @lovingitvegan on Instagram and hashtag #lovingitvegan
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    About the Author

    Hi I'm Alison Andrews, I'm the voice and cook behind Loving It Vegan. I love making delicious vegan food and creating vegan versions of all your old favorites, so that you’ll never feel like you’re missing out. Find out more about me here.

    Loving It Vegan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This site may contain some of these links to Amazon.com. If you make a purchase through one of those links, Loving It Vegan will receive a small commission from the purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amanda says

      October 26, 2022 at 9:10 am

      This came out really good. I used chickpea egg as the binder rather than flax (1/2 cup chickpea flour added to dry ingredients + extra 1/2 cup of soy milk) and baked it as one big cake, which took about 45 mins of baking. Delicious just by itself! I topped it with some chocolate ganache, for what it’s worth. Thank you very much for this recipe.5 stars

      Reply
      • Alison Andrews says

        October 26, 2022 at 11:42 am

        Wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing Amanda!

        Reply
    2. Debbi says

      August 13, 2022 at 4:33 pm

      I baked this cake for a vegan friend’s birthday. I bake often but had never made a vegan cake. I used applesauce for the eggs but otherwise followed the recipe. I appreciated all the notes and specific info included in the recipes. The cake and the frosting were delicious! The cake was tender and chocolatey and the frosting was creamy and fudgy. Thank you for helping me make a friend’s day special.5 stars

      Reply
      • Alison Andrews says

        August 15, 2022 at 11:17 am

        Thanks so much for the awesome comment and review Debbi! So happy it was a success.

        Reply
    3. Jen says

      August 05, 2022 at 7:10 pm

      This cake was delicious! So amazingly rich and moist WOW! But most importantly it was a lot of fun to make! The frosting inside the two cake layers turned dark brown although the outside stayed light brown, not sure why. The inside layer of frosting turned into a Chocolate mousse- fudge like consistency, it was wonderful! Thank you for this recipe!5 stars

      Reply
      • Alison Andrews says

        August 06, 2022 at 11:42 am

        So happy you enjoyed it Jen! Thanks for the great review!

        Reply
    4. Tina Scotland says

      January 16, 2022 at 3:11 pm

      I made this cake for Boxing Day. It was absolutely delicious, so easy to make and definitely a a triumph if I do so myself. It didn’t last very long.

      Reply
      • Alison Andrews says

        January 17, 2022 at 12:04 pm

        So happy to hear that Tina! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    5. Ivon says

      December 23, 2021 at 4:37 pm

      Hello,
      I’m baking this cake using 2 18 cms round cake pan, what should be the baking time?
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Alison Andrews says

        December 24, 2021 at 10:35 am

        I’m not sure Ivon, it will definitely be a longer bake time, but exactly how much longer I don’t know. For future reference our easy vegan chocolate cake is a recipe perfectly suited to smaller cake pans.

        Reply
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