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Many people believe that a party is incomplete without a festive cake to celebrate. But traditional cakes use dairy-based ingredients, which vegan lifestyle followers abstain from eating. If vegans will be attending your next party and you want them to enjoy your party cake, or if you are preparing a cake for a vegan for another reason, there are several types of ingredient substitutes you can use in your recipe that will create an equally delicious but completely vegan cake.

  1. Typical non-vegan cake baking ingredients include eggs, butter, milk and even refined white sugar, which is manufactured with animal bones.
    • Most non-vegan cake ingredients such as eggs and butter can be easily replaced with typical household grocery items. For example, bananas and applesauce replace eggs and margarine replaces butter.
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    • One egg can be replaced with 2 tbsp. ground flax seed stirred into 3 tbsp. of water.
    • Replace a single egg by mashing half of a banana or using 3 tbsp. applesauce. 1 egg may also be replaced with 1/4 cup (59.14 ml) of soft tofu that's been run through a blender.
    • Buy a vegan egg replacement product. This non-dairy powdered mix is usually found in health food stores.
  2. Soy and almond milk are the most recommended replacements when baking. You can also use hemp, coconut, or hazelnut milk.
    • Use the same measurements when substituting dairy milk with vegan replacements.
  3. Be sure that the margarine you use is not made with animal-based ingredients. Health food stores usually carry 100 percent vegan margarine.
    • Another option for replacing butter with a vegan ingredient is vegetable shortening or applesauce, which can replace up to 3/4 of the total butter used in any baking recipe.
  4. These include granulated cane sugar and date sugar as well as new plant-based sweeteners. Granulated cane sugar may be used in the same proportion as refined sugar. If using date sugar or a plant-based sweetener, use less amounts in the recipe than refined sugar. These products are far sweeter than typical refined sugar.
    • Liquid sweeteners such as barley malt and maple syrup can also be used but be sure to slightly reduce the use of other liquids in your cake recipe.
  5. Vegans prefer to use non-refined flours made with barley, brown rice, potato and Kamut, which are found in health food stores.
    • Alternatively, you can ground 1 cup (236.5 ml) of whole rolled oats to create 3/4 cup (177.4 ml) of oat flour.
  6. For a vegan cake frosting, replace the use of butter with blended tofu and cooking oil or margarine.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I make a vegan cheesecake?
    Bekah Rife
    Certified Plant-Based Chef
    Bekah Rife is a Certified Plant-Based Chef based in Los Angeles, California. Bekah has over eight years of professional experience and studied plant-based cooking in culinary school. Currently, she specializes in diet consulting and recipe development. She also offers cooking lessons and catering services.
    Certified Plant-Based Chef
    Expert Answer
    Cashews, known for their versatility, play a crucial role, mirroring the process used in traditional cheesemaking. Soaking cashews for one to four hours or overnight allows them to ferment gradually, imparting a remarkable tanginess that enhances the final cheesecake flavor. For an extended tangy profile, you can soak the nuts for one to two days, remembering to rinse them and use fresh water each day. In my cheesecake recipes, I combine fermented cashews with ingredients like coconut cream, a touch of plant milk, vanilla, and the essential element lemon, contributing to the tanginess. Blending these elements in a high-powered appliance like a Vitamix yields a silky-smooth texture. The crust is crafted from raw nuts and dates, providing a wholesome base. Customize your cheesecake with an array of fruits, such as fresh strawberries or blueberries. After freezing for approximately three to four hours or overnight, allow it to thaw slightly before serving. If time is a constraint or cashews aren't readily available, excellent vegan cream cheese options are now accessible. You can use vegan cream cheese as a standalone replacement or combine it with cashews. Alternatively, for a unique twist, blend tofu with vegan cream cheese. With these versatile options or a blend of them, you can craft a truly exceptional vegan cheesecake.
  • Question
    What does vegan cake mean?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Vegan cake is cake made without eggs, dairy butter or dairy milk. Each of these standard ingredients is easily replaced by plant-based substitutes, such as banana or flaxseed for eggs, non-trans fat margarine or oils for butters and plant milks for milk. There are many recipes for making perfect vegan cakes that taste just as good as, if not better, than conventional cake recipes.
  • Question
    Do vegans use flour?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, flour is a vegan product. If it has been protein-enhanced, check the source of the protein but usually flour is a completely vegan food. Vegan cake recipes often prefer wholewheat or non-processed flours, for healthier results than bleached white flour. It is best to sift flour before adding to the vegan cake batter, to produce a finer result.
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      Tips

      • Vegan cake baking tends to be a trial-and-error process. Test a few different versions of your vegan cake recipe to ensure that the finished product is exactly how you want it before serving it to guests.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Bananas or applesauce
      • Ground flax seed or soft tofu
      • Non-dairy milk alternative
      • Vegan margarine or cooking oil
      • Granulated cane or date sugar, barley malt, maple syrup or Stevia
      • Non-refined flour


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