Make the BEST vegan espresso cake with solely easy pantry elements – a tender, moist, fluffy vanilla sponge cake with candy & ‘buttery’, cinnamon-sugar topping (+ non-compulsory streusel). The right deal with with a cup of tea or espresso!

What’s Vegan Espresso Cake?

We wouldn’t blame you for considering that espresso cake is made with espresso, however that’s not essentially true. As a substitute, it’s named after the very fact it’s completely complementary with a morning or afternoon cup of espresso (and available at Starbucks and different espresso outlets).

Espresso cake recipes usually mix a moist, fluffy vanilla-infused fluffy cake with a candy cinnamon-sugar or cinnamon streusel topping (or a mixture of the 2). The flavour and texture distinction is scrumptious and a must-try for French toast or cinnamon roll lovers.

Better of all, it’s actually easy to ditch the egg and dairy to make a vegan cinnamon espresso cake (with no sophisticated elements) that’s simply as scrumptious for the entire household to take pleasure in. It’s cozy, comforting, and an ideal addition to breakfast, brunch, and afternoon tea.

Need extra easy cake inspiration? Try our espresso and walnut loaf, Biscoff cake, easy fruit cake, and/or vegan banana cake.

The Components and Substitutions

The Moist Components

Applesauce: Use unsweetened applesauce. This provides moisture and acts as a binder rather than eggs for a vegan cinnamon espresso cake.

Oil: Use a impartial oil like vegetable oil or canola oil. This can produce a vegan cinnamon espresso cake with a tender, tender crumb.

Non-dairy milk: Use any unsweetened milk. E.g., oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, and so forth. Use a full-fat model for probably the most moist and tender vegan cinnamon cake.

Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract (or paste) to keep away from a synthetic aftertaste.

The Dry Components

Flour: We used common all-purpose flour, although you may experiment with utilizing as much as 50% entire wheat flour.

Leavening brokers: You’ll want baking powder and baking soda to offer the raise and fluffy texture on this simple vegan espresso cake.

Salt: Just a bit to stability and improve the assorted flavors within the cake.

Cinnamon Topping

Brown sugar: Or unrefined coconut sugar.

Cinnamon: Ensure that it’s contemporary for the very best taste.

Vegan butter: Use high-quality, dairy-free, unsalted butter, melted – like Miyoko’s.

To create a center and prime cinnamon layer, improve the elements by 50-100%.

Non-obligatory Taste Variations

Vegan streusel topping: To create a vegan espresso cake with streusel topping, use a crumble topping like we use for our apple crumble.

Nutmeg: Only a tiny pinch within the cinnamon layer for much more heat.

Nuts: Like chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, and so forth., sprinkled over for crunch.

Almond extract: Just some drops for refined nutty depth.

Vegan chocolate chips: Sprinkle a handful or two into the batter.

Fruit: Add ½-¾ cup of blueberries, raspberries, or chopped apple/pear/peaches.

Powdered sugar: To sprinkle excessive when serving.

Easy glaze: Made with powdered sugar and plant milk to drizzle excessive.

Easy methods to Make Vegan Espresso Cake

First, preheat the oven to 350F/180C and line a 9-inch sq. baking pan with parchment paper. Depart overhang on 2 sides for simpler elimination.

In the meantime, in a big bowl or stand mixer, mix the moist elements (applesauce, oil, plant-based milk, and vanilla).

In a separate bowl, mix all of the dry elements (flour, sugar, leavening brokers, and salt) till effectively mixed, then add them to the moist elements and blend till mixed.

It’s necessary to not over-mix the batter, although. A couple of tiny lumps are effective.

Pour the batter into the ready baking pan and put aside.

In case you plan so as to add a streusel topping and add the cinnamon layer to the center (or each a cinnamon center and prime layer), pour solely half the batter into the pan. Following step 5, pour it over the batter and pour the remaining batter on prime.

Then, in a small microwave-safe bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and vegan butter, and microwave for 30 seconds, or till the vegan butter is totally melted and blend effectively.

Pour the cinnamon sugar over the batter and use a knife/chopstick to swirl it into the cake.

Bake the vegan espresso cake for 35-40 minutes, or till a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clear – or with a number of moist crumbs.

Lastly, take away the cake from the oven and let it cool within the pan on a wire cooling rack for no less than half-hour earlier than eradicating it from the pan. Then, slice and luxuriate in!

Take pleasure in vegan espresso cake with scorching chocolate, chai, or espresso (shock, shock). It’s additionally scrumptious heat with vegan custard, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla good cream.

FAQs

Professional Recipe Suggestions

Measure the flour accurately: To keep away from utilizing an excessive amount of flour and ending up with a dense cake, first fluff it up in its bag utilizing a fork, then spoon it into the measuring cup earlier than utilizing the again of a knife to degree the highest.

Keep away from over-mixing the batter: In any other case, you’ll find yourself with a dense, rubbery cake. Combine it till ‘simply’ mixed – a number of tiny lumps are effective.

Depart it to chill: This cake is fragile straight from the oven. It’s greatest to depart it to chill earlier than slicing, then optionally reheat if most well-liked.

Storage Directions

As soon as totally cooled, retailer the cake in an hermetic container at room temperature for 1-2 days or within the fridge for 7-10 days.

You too can freeze it entire or in slices and wrapped in plastic wrap for as much as 3 months. Depart it to thaw within the fridge in a single day or at room temperature for a number of hours.

You too can take pleasure in it heat by microwaving it for 20-30 seconds.

Extra Vegan Cake Recipes

Or browse our assortment of 35 must-try vegan cake recipes.

Photographs by Alfonso Revilla