• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pretty. Simple. Sweet.
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Baking Course
  • About Me
  • Newsletter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Baking Course
  • About Me
  • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Baking Course
    • About Me
    • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Cakes

    Vegan Chocolate Cake with Vegan Ganache

    Published: Mar 25, 2023 · Modified: Nov 4, 2024 by Stephanie @ Pretty.Simple.Sweet. · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This vegan chocolate cake is so rich and fudgy, you won’t even know it’s vegan! It’s made with basic ingredients and topped with a vegan chocolate ganache for a decadent and irresistibly delicious cake that both vegans and non-vegans will love. I highly recommend this cake for family gatherings!

    vegan chocolate cake

    I’ve had many requests lately from friends and family for more vegan recipes. While I myself am not vegan, several people close to me are. And the fact that more and more people are moving toward a vegan diet, I wanted to have a delicious cake recipe that was perfect for any chocolate lover (including me!).

    This vegan cake hits all of those points. I love it because it uses simple ingredients, is dairy-free, and the flavor is outstanding. It is chocolatey, fudgy, moist, and an all-around simply delicious cake.

    Some of the links used on this page are affiliate links and I will earn commission if you purchase through them at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, rest assured that all recommendations are based on my own positive experiences with brands that I trust and use.

    Table of contents

    • What’s in vegan chocolate cake?
    • How to make vegan chocolate cake
      • Make the vegan ganache and top the cake
    • Tips for making perfect vegan chocolate cake
    • More vegan recipes

    What’s in vegan chocolate cake?

    My vegan chocolate cake recipe uses basic ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen.

    The dry ingredients include:

    • All-purpose flour
    • Baking powder
    • Baking soda
    • Salt
    • Cocoa powder

    The wet ingredients are:

    • Vegetable oil
    • Coconut milk
    • White vinegar (which helps activate the baking soda)
    • Vanilla

    The cake is sweetened with granulated sugar which is mixed into the wet ingredients.

    And my favorite part, the chocolate ganache topping, is made with dark chocolate (dairy-free, of course) and coconut milk. Here’s my favorite vegan dark chocolate.

    That’s it!

    vegan chocolate cake

    Would you like to save this recipe?

    We'll email this recipe link to you, so you can come back to it later!

    How to make vegan chocolate cake

    This recipe makes enough batter for an 8×8-inch square pan or a 9-inch round pan. To adjust the recipe for different cake pan sizes, I recommend checking out my article on converting cake pan sizes.

    1. Combine the dry ingredients. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.
    2. Combine the wet ingredients plus baking soda. In a separate bowl, mix together the vegetable oil, coconut milk, sugar, vinegar, and baking soda. The baking soda is mixed with the wet ingredients so the vinegar can properly activate it.
    3. Mix together. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix together gently until fully incorporated.
    4. Bake. Pour the cake batter in a prepared pan and bake at 350°F/180°C for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
    5. Cool. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before topping with ganache.

    Make the vegan ganache and top the cake

    1. Place vegan chocolate and coconut milk in a medium heat-proof bowl, and microwave in 20-30 second-intervals, stirring in between each interval, until melted.
    2. Pour the ganache over the cooled cake and place in the refrigerator to set.
    3. Once set, you can remove the cake using the parchment paper overhang and slice.
    vegan chocolate cake slice

    Tips for making perfect vegan chocolate cake

    -Don’t overmix the batter. Once you combine the wet ingredients into the dry, mix together gently just until the ingredients are incorporated. Overmixing can cause the cake to be more dense.

    -Use Dutch processed cocoa powder. I prefer Dutch processed cocoa powder in general because it has a much stronger, more chocolatey flavor. But for chocolate cakes in particular, I find that it makes a significant difference in the flavor. However, if all you have is natural cocoa powder, feel free to use it.

    -Use a good quality chocolate for the ganache. The better quality the chocolate, the better your cake will taste :).

    -Be sure to use full-fat coconut milk. For the vegan ganache to turn out thick and fudgy, make sure to use full-fat coconut milk. Anything less than full-fat won’t emulsify properly.

    slice of vegan chocolate cake

    More vegan recipes

    • Coconut Tapioca Pudding: Light, refreshing, and perfectly creamy.
    • Peanut Butter Bites: This simple recipe has amazing texture and flavor.
    • 2-Ingredient Chocolate Truffles: Made with rich dark chocolate and nutty tahini.

    Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I endorse products that I love and use daily.

    5 from 2 votes
    Print

    Vegan Chocolate Cake

    This vegan chocolate cake is so decadent, both vegans and non-vegans alike are sure to love it. It's rich, chocolatey, fudgy, and topped with rich vegan chocolate ganache.

    Course Dessert
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes
    YIELD 1 9 in round cake

    Ingredients

    Vegan chocolate cake

    • 1 ½ cups (210g) all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅔ cup (65g) cocoa powder, sifted
    • 1 ⅔ cups (400 ml) full-fat coconut milk
    • ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
    • 1 cup (200g) sugar
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda

    Vegan chocolate ganache

    • 4 oz. (125g) dairy-free dark or bittersweet chocolate chips or bars
    • ½ cup (120 ml) full-fat coconut milk

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F/180°. Grease an 8×8-inch square pan or 9-inch round pan. Set aside.

    2. To make the cake: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. In a separate bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, vegetable oil, sugar, vanilla, vinegar, and baking soda. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

    3. Scrape batter into prepared pan. Bake cake for 25-30 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking which will make the cake dry. Allow cake to cool completely on a wire rack in the pan.

    4. To make the vegan ganache: Place chocolate and coconut milk in a medium heat-proof bowl, and microwave in 20-30 second-intervals, stirring in between each interval, until melted. Alternatively, set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until melted.

    5. Allow the ganache to cool slightly and pour over completely cooled cake. Refrigerate until set.

    6. Cake can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Serve at room temperature for the best texture.

    More Cakes

    • Cherry garcia cake is made with chocolate chips, fresh cherries, and a creamy frosting.
      Chocolate Cherry Garcia Cake
    • 9 pie and cheesecake toppings you need
      Pie & Cheesecake Topping Ideas
    • Flourless chocolate torte made with pumpkin puree.
      Chocolate Pumpkin Torte (gluten-free)
    • White chocolate cheesecake bars with lemon zest and juice.
      Lemon White Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Shiran says

      March 26, 2023 at 1:17 am

      Such a beautiful cake!

      Reply
      • Stephanie @ Pretty.Simple.Sweet. says

        April 02, 2023 at 3:39 pm

        Thank you, Shiran!

        Reply
    2. AmbalaCakes says

      July 07, 2023 at 12:31 am

      I really like your recipe. After reading your blog I will try make this at home.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Stephanie! Join me in my kitchen, where we’ll be making simple and classic desserts and learning the science of baking along the way.

    More about me →

    Find A Recipe

    Recent Popular Recipes

    • Creamy orange curd in a jar with a spoonful of curd being removed, flanked by fresh oranges.
      How To Make Orange Curd
    • Chocolate Panna Cotta with shaved chocolate and a dollop of whipped cream.
      Chocolate Panna Cotta (Easy)
    • Citrusy orange cupcakes with a swirl of orange cream cheese frosting surrounded by fresh oranges.
      10 Orange Flavored Desserts You’ll Love
    • Shaved asparagus salad with chive blossom vinaigrette dressing.
      Shaved Asparagus Salad with Chive Blossom Vinaigrette
    Shop King Arthur Baking for all your baking needs!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Website Policies

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Testimonial Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Pretty. Simple. Sweet.