Description
This Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake is a delightful, moist dessert that captures the cozy flavors of autumn. Topped with a velvety vegan cream cheese frosting and adorned with mini buttercream pumpkins, it’s the perfect fall treat. This cake is easy to make, vegan, and can also be made gluten-free for dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
- 480ml dairy-free milk
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 420g self-raising flour
- 350g caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 120ml sunflower oil
- 100g pumpkin puree
- 400g dairy-free block butter (for frosting)
- 80g dairy-free cream cheese (for frosting)
- 360g icing sugar (for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for frosting)
- Orange food gel (for decoration)
- Cocoa powder (for decoration)
- Vegan caramel sauce (optional for filling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line three 8-inch cake tins with parchment paper.
- Mix the dairy-free milk and apple cider vinegar in a bowl, then set aside for 10 minutes to curdle and create vegan ‘buttermilk’.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the self-raising flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger.
- In another bowl, combine the wet ingredients: pumpkin puree, oil, and the vegan ‘buttermilk’.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the cake tins and tap them gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Once the cakes have cooled, prepare the frosting by whipping together the dairy-free butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the icing sugar and cinnamon, and whip for 5-8 minutes.
- Spread a layer of frosting between the cake layers, and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- If desired, decorate the cake with mini buttercream pumpkins, colored using orange food gel and cocoa powder for the stems.
Notes
- Ensure the cakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- For a gluten-free version, replace the self-raising flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- The cake improves in flavor the day after baking, making it a great option for prepping ahead of time.
- Use gel food colors for decorating to maintain the consistency of the frosting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg