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    Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe {Vegan}

    Jan 21, 2021 by Katia · 23 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more details.

    Close-up of a slice of easy vegan chocolate cake with melted chocolate over a white background.
    Close-up of a slice of easy vegan chocolate cake with melted chocolate over a white background.

    This simple moist chocolate cake recipe is absolutely scrumptious with a rich chocolate flavor! It’s eggless, dairy-free, and a breeze to make in 1 BOWL. No mixer or fancy ingredients are required.

    In other words, but I wanted a decadent chocolate cake as healthy as possible and, most of all, I wanted an uncomplicated recipe. Here it is!

    A slice of this vegan and easy chocolate cake is on a white plate with the rest of the chocolate bundt cake in the background.

    Not only is this easy chocolate cake recipe delicious, but it happens to be vegan, and with less fat (only 3 Tbsps of vegetable oil!) and less sugar than regular cakes. Plus, the ingredient list and the method are pretty straightforward, definitely a big bonus even for non-vegan bakers.

    Watch how to make it

    All you have to do is mix wholesome ingredients in 1 bowl, pour the batter into a cake pan, and bake. The result is a fudgy, eggless chocolate cake that tastes and smells divine.
    Then easily decorate by pouring luscious melted dark chocolate all over it (we love free style here!). Simple yet utterly delicious, how cool is that?

    But let’s see how to make it!

    What ingredients you need

    • Flour (all purpose flour or white spelt flour)
    • Sugar (beet sugar or organic brown sugar)
    • Milk (dairy-free milk)
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder
    • Vegan dark chocolate chips (optional, but they worth the addition!)
    • Vegetable oil
    • Baking powder
    • Vanilla extract or expresso powder

    How to make this easy chocolate cake

    (Note: the full recipe is at the bottom of the page)

    • Thoroughly combine flour, cocoa powder and baking powder
    • Add sugar, salt and mix well again
    A glass bowl with the dry ingredients over a marbled background.
    • Then add the liquid ingredients
    • Mix just until combined
    • Stir in the chocolate chips
    A glass bowl with the dry and wet ingredients to make this easy chocolate cake recipe.
    • Pour the batter into the pan and bake (I used a bundt pan)
    • Let it cool on a cooling rack
    • Flip upside down and unmold from the pan
    A bundt chocolate cake over a cooling rack over a white background.
    • Decorate with melted dark chocolate
    • You can serve immediately or wait for the chocolate to set. Enjoy!
    A close-up of a this easy vegan chocolate cake covered with melted chocolate.

    Recipe notes & tips

    We’ve made this cake so many times in the last period that my 6-year old can make the batter in minutes: it’s so simple, and makes a perfect and easy chocolate cake recipe for kids, too.

    Easy chocolate cake ingredients

    • Flour: all-purpose flour or white spelt flour are fine.
    • Milk: you can use dairy-free milk such as oat or almond milk, or even cow milk if you don’t keep it vegan. I used oat milk.
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder: the cake is packed with unsweetened cocoa powder which adds a deep flavor and health benefits. Alternatively, dutch processed cocoa powder works just fine.
    • Dark chocolate: vegan chocolate chips and melted chocolate are optional, but definitely worth the addition!! They make the cake richer and luscious, especially if the melted chocolate is still soft! ; ). For best result, choose always good quality chocolate (I used 70% dark chocolate).
    • Vanilla extract: it adds a lovely sweet aroma, but you can swap it for expresso powder which elevates the chocolate flavor. Alternately, 1 small orange zest will be delicious, too.
    • Vegetable oil: the recipe requires a small amount of oil, so any vegetable oil such as olive oil or avocado oil works fine. I used cold-pressed canola oil.
    • Sugar: beet sugar or organic brown sugar makes the cake softer. However, brown and beet sugar are interchangeably in the recipe.

    Easy chocolate cake batter

    As you notice, I don’t mix wet and dry ingredients separately in this recipe, but I add the liquids directly to the dry ingredients. It doesn’t make much difference since mixing dairy-free milk and oil together in a separate bowl is pointless: they just don’t mix.
    Good news? You need only 1 bowl for the batter, but keep in mind:

    • Mix the dry ingredients into a homogeneous mixture by using a a whisk. For a light and delicate texture, it’s important to mix the dry ingredients thoroughly.
    • Do not overmix the batter, but stir just until combined.
    • The cake batter is thin.
    • Baking time depends on the cake pan shape (see recipe).
    A slice of a vegan easy chocolate cake on a white plate with a fork.

    How long does this vegan chocolate cake last?

    This chocolate cake keeps well for up to 4 days if stored in an airtight container or in a cake dome over the counter. It’s also freezable, in an airtight container, for up to 1 month.

    More easy & healthy cake recipes?

    • 1-Bowl yogurt cake
    • Blender zucchini bread
    • Blender beetroot cake
    • Carrot cake

    If you make this easy vegan chocolate cake recipe or if you have any questions, let me know! Leave a comment, send me a message, or rate it.
    I would love to hear from you!

    Close-up of a slice of easy chocolate cake with melted chocolate over a white background.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe {Vegan}

    Meet my super easy chocolate cake recipe! It's so moist, scrumptious and you can make in 1 bowl in no time. Bonus? It's eggless, dairy-free, and no mixer or fancy ingredients are required.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time45 mins
    Total Time50 mins
    Course: cakes, Dessert
    Cuisine: vegan
    Keyword: easy chocolate cake
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 257kcal
    Author: Katia

    Ingredients

    • 1 ¾ level cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour or white spelt flour
    • ⅔ cup (130 grams) Beet sugar or organic brown sugar (see notes)*
    • ¾ cup +1 Tbsp (75 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (see notes)*
    • 3 tsp baking powder
    • ⅛ tsp fine salt
    • 2 cups + 1 Tbsp (495 ml) dairy-free milk or cow milk
    • 3 Tbsp (45 ml) vegetable olive oil
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract or expresso powder (optional)
    • ½ cup (85 grams) Vegan dark chocolate chips (optional)

    Chocolate coating:

    • ½ cup (85 grams) dark chocolate chips (optional)

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 340°F/170°C, place the rack in the middle shelf, then grease a 9-inch bund cake pan. Alternatively, grease or line with parchment paper a 9-inch round pan.
    • Place flour, cocoa powder and baking powder in a large bowl and whisk throughly into a homogenous mixture.
    • Add sugar and salt to the dry ingredients and mix again until well combined.
    • Then pour over the liquid ingredients: milk, oil and vanilla essence. Mix until just combined, but do not overmix.
    • Stir in the chocolate chips, pour in the preparred cake pan, and bake.
    • If you use a 9-inch bundt pan like mine, after 40 minutes check the doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean and dry the cake is done, otherwise keep baking for a further 3-5 minutes and check again. If you use a 9-inch round pan instead, the baking time is 30 maximum 35 minutes. Check for doneness after 30 minutes.
    • When the cake is ready, take it out from the oven straight away and let it cool for about 5 minutes on a cooling rack. If you use a bundt pan, turn it upside down while it's still warm, that helps the release.

    Chocolate coating:

    • Place the chocolate chips into a heatproof bowl placed over a pan of barely simmering water (a bain marie). Allow the chocolate to melt, stirring occasionally. Once melted leave it to set until a bit firm, but still runny
    • Decorate the cake by pouring the melted chocolate gently all over it.
    • Serve immediately or wait until the chocolate is set.

    Notes

    Level cups of flour: spoon the flour into the measuring cup (do not press it) than use the back of a knife to level off the top of the cup.
    Sugar: this cake is not overly sweet. If you have a sweet tooth, or if you usually enjoy traditional cakes with frosting or similar, you might want to add more sugar, about 1/4 cup (50 grams) or 1/3 (70 grams).
    Chocolate coating: the amount of chocolate is not enough to cover the cake entirely, but it makes a partial coating. If you want to cover the whole cake, simply double the quantities.
    Cocoa powder: you can swap dutch processed cocoa powder for unsweetened cocoa powder, it works just fine.
    Storage: it keeps well for up to 4 days if stored in an airtight container or in a cake dome over the counter. It’s also freezable, in an airtight container, for up to 1 month.
    Note: nutritional values are per serving (calculated without the chocolate coating) and they’re estimates only. Please see my disclosure policies. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 234mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 3mg
    « Vegan Garlic Chickpea Soup
    One-Pot White Bean Pasta (15 Minutes!) »

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mona

      January 28, 2022 at 1:33 am

      5 stars
      The cake is super easy & yummy 😋
      Thank you so much 🙏🏻❤️

      Reply
      • Katia

        January 28, 2022 at 8:24 am

        I’m so pleased you loved it, Mona! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback.x

    2. Zoe

      August 07, 2021 at 6:28 pm

      5 stars
      Katia,
      Thank you so much for the recipe! It was delicious!! I made it for my dad’s birthday, and he truly loved it. I liked that it wasn’t too sweet, and that it was so simple (leaving room for creativity 😉). I tried caramel chocolate chips instead of regular ones, and it still tasted wonderful! Thank you for this amazing recipe.

      Reply
      • Katia

        August 07, 2021 at 8:37 pm

        Hi Zoe, thanks so much for your wonderful comment! I’m so happy to hear you made this cake for your dad’s birthday… caramel chocolate chips sound great!
        Have a nice weekend x

      • AYBİGE

        August 22, 2021 at 8:02 pm

        It was delicious, my family loved it. Thanks for sharing it.

      • Katia

        August 23, 2021 at 12:18 am

        I’m so pleased to hear that! Thank you for your lovely comment. x

    3. Rie Adams

      June 26, 2021 at 2:11 am

      5 stars
      Katia,
      I baked this cake tonight and my family loved it. I added orange rind and a little bit of Cointreau for chocolate coating. I will definitely bake it again! Thank you x

      Reply
      • Katia

        June 26, 2021 at 7:06 am

        Hi Rie, thanks for taking the time to share your lovely feedback!
        I’m so pleased to hear your family loved it, and the idea of adding Cointreau for chocolate coating is fantastic, I’m going to try it myself! : )
        Have a good weekend! x

    4. Jan

      June 18, 2021 at 1:43 am

      I like a little more sweet can you use semi-sweet choc chips, also I dont like dark chocolate can I use milk chocolate choc chips

      Reply
      • Katia

        June 18, 2021 at 7:15 am

        Hi Jan, sure, feel free to add more sweet chocolate if you wish. Enjoy! x

    5. Michele Shepherd

      June 05, 2021 at 8:11 pm

      Could I sub applesauce for the oil?

      Reply
      • Katia

        June 05, 2021 at 9:58 pm

        Hi Michele, I’ve never tried applesauce in this cake recipe, sorry If I can’t help you. x

    6. Marie

      March 18, 2021 at 8:29 pm

      I dont understand why its so runny???

      Reply
      • Katia

        March 18, 2021 at 9:26 pm

        Is the batter runny? Is that what you mean? If it looks like the one in the video is fine, otherwise the ratio dry and liquid ingredients is wrong. Have you baked it? x

      • Katia

        June 03, 2021 at 6:45 am

        Hi! If the ingredients are measured correctly, the flour to milk ratio is fine and the cake comes out perfect. Let me know how it turns out yours x

    7. zoie

      March 09, 2021 at 1:01 am

      would this work with a cupcake pan?

      Reply
      • Katia

        March 09, 2021 at 8:29 am

        Hi Zoe! Yes, it works. I tried to use a muffin pan and made about 12 muffins, just reduce the baking time accordingly. x

    8. Tammy

      February 06, 2021 at 5:23 pm

      Is it 257 kcals for one slice or the entire cake?

      Reply
      • Katia

        February 07, 2021 at 8:11 am

        Hi! Calories are per serving. x

    9. pauline

      January 23, 2021 at 1:51 am

      5 stars
      cake look yummy will bake it thank you for sharing

      Reply
      • Katia

        January 23, 2021 at 8:57 am

        You’re so welcome! 😊

    10. Long

      January 22, 2021 at 6:34 am

      5 stars
      Made this last night. It was a hit!. Yep, it was that good! Thanks you so much

      Reply
      • Katia

        January 22, 2021 at 9:45 am

        You’re so welcome! 💛 I’m so glad it was a hit, thanks for sharing your feedback x

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    Hi, I’m Katia! Welcome to my blog where I share easy, delicious, and budget-friendly recipes. I love cooking mainly vegetarian meals in no time at all. Minimum effort, maximum result. Read more…

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