Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe – Easy & Delicious

Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of fall with this Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake. Moist, fluffy, and bursting with spice, this cake is the perfect treat for any autumn gathering. With a velvety vegan cream cheese frosting and a delightful pumpkin spice blend, this dessert will quickly become a favorite in your home. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family dinner or looking to impress friends with a seasonal bake, this cake offers the perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and everything nice. Plus, it’s entirely vegan, dairy-free, and eggless, making it suitable for various dietary preferences.

Why This Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake is a Must-Try

This Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake stands out not only for its deliciously spiced flavor but also for its moist, tender crumb. The combination of pumpkin puree, warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and the tangy vegan cream cheese frosting creates a dessert that’s both satisfying and festive. The cake’s soft texture and the rich, creamy frosting make it perfect for any occasion—from Halloween parties to Thanksgiving feasts.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Perfect Cake

Here’s what you’ll need to bake this mouthwatering Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake:

• Self-Raising Flour: Helps the cake rise, giving it a light and fluffy texture.
• Dairy-Free Milk: Any dairy-free milk will work, but soy milk is particularly effective in creating a smooth batter.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Reacts with the milk to create a vegan “buttermilk,” which adds to the cake’s tender crumb.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with its structure.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents help achieve a light, airy cake.
• Pumpkin Spice Mix: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger for that classic autumn flavor.
• Sunflower Oil: Provides moisture and richness to the cake.
• Pumpkin Puree: Adds natural sweetness and a smooth texture to the cake.

For the vegan cream cheese frosting:

• Dairy-Free Butter: A chilled vegan butter block is best for achieving the perfect consistency.
• Dairy-Free Cream Cheese: A tangy, creamy base for the frosting.
• Icing Sugar: Adds sweetness and smoothness to the frosting.
• Ground Cinnamon: Infuses the frosting with a warm, spiced flavor.
• Orange Food Gel: For coloring the frosting and creating adorable mini pumpkin decorations.
• Cocoa Powder: For the brown color to complement the pumpkins.

Alternative Ingredients

If you need to make substitutions based on dietary preferences or ingredient availability, here are some helpful swaps:

• Flour: For a gluten-free version, substitute self-raising flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• Sugar: If you prefer a lower-sugar version, try using coconut sugar or maple syrup instead.
• Oil: Coconut oil can be used as an alternative to sunflower oil for a different flavor profile.
• Vegan Cream Cheese: Other brands like Tofutti or Kite Hill can work if you can’t find Violife or ASDA’s Free From cream cheese.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating this delightful vegan pumpkin spice cake is simpler than you might think. Just follow these steps for a flawless dessert:

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line three 8-inch cake tins with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Vegan Buttermilk: In a bowl, combine the dairy-free milk and apple cider vinegar. Stir well and let it sit for 10 minutes to curdle.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift the self-raising flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. Mix well.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: To the vegan buttermilk, add the sunflower oil and pumpkin puree. Whisk until smooth.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture. Stir gently with a rubber spatula until fully combined. The batter should be thick but smooth.
6. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake tins. Tap the tins on the counter to remove air bubbles. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool: Let the cakes cool in the tins for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely before frosting.
8. Frost and Decorate: Spread a layer of vegan cream cheese frosting between the cooled cake layers. Frost the top and sides of the cake, smoothing it out with a cake scraper. For decoration, pipe little pumpkins around the cake with colored frosting.

Tips & Tricks for a Perfect Cake

• Check the Cakes for Doneness: To make sure your cakes are perfectly baked, insert a knife or skewer into the center of the cakes. If it comes out clean, the cakes are ready to come out of the oven.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: To avoid a melty mess, always wait for the cakes to cool completely before applying frosting. This will help the frosting stay firm and prevent slipping layers.
• Whip the Frosting Well: For an extra-smooth and creamy frosting, whip the vegan cream cheese and dairy-free butter for at least 5-8 minutes on high speed. This will incorporate air and give the frosting a light, airy texture.
• Storing Leftovers: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.

Perfect Pairings and Variations

This Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake is wonderful on its own, but it can be paired with a variety of side dishes and beverages to elevate the experience:

• Pairings: Serve with a hot cup of cinnamon chai tea or a spiced latte for a cozy afternoon treat.
• Variations: If you want to add extra flavor, try drizzling the cake with vegan caramel sauce before frosting. You could also add chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the cake batter for added texture.
• Make Ahead: The cake can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. The flavors actually improve after a day, making it a great option for prepping ahead of time for a party or gathering.

A Slice of Autumn in Every Bite

This Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake is the perfect embodiment of fall. From the rich pumpkin flavor to the warm spices and creamy frosting, every bite is a celebration of the season. Whether you’re a long-time vegan or just looking for a delicious, plant-based dessert to enjoy, this cake delivers on every front. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make, so you can whip up a batch whenever the craving strikes.

Conclusion

This Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake is the perfect dessert to embrace the cozy flavors of fall. With its soft, moist texture, rich pumpkin spice flavor, and velvety vegan cream cheese frosting, it’s sure to impress everyone at your table. Easy to make and versatile enough to suit various dietary preferences, this cake brings together all the best aspects of autumn baking. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or simply to enjoy on a chilly day, this cake will become a go-to fall favorite. Give it a try and let the comforting flavors warm your home!

FAQs About Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake

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