Vegan Chocolate Cherry Cake (Easy Recipe) (2024)

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This moist vegan chocolate cherry cake is a super easy and delicious sponge cake recipe that can be also baked in a loaf pan, on a sheet, or as cupcakes! Served with a scoop of vegan ice cream on top, you’ll quickly convince any skeptics with this stunning cake!

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Vegan Chocolate Cherry Cake

Chocolate, cherries and ice cream – There’s almost nothing better like this incredibly delicious combination! If you love my Vegan Cherry Cheesecake Browniesor the popularGerman Mole Cake or Grandma’s Danube Wave Cake, you’ll also love this easy chocolate cherry cake! Most importantly, this recipe is really super quick and easy to make, so it’ll be surely become one of your new favorite go-to chocolate desserts!

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Ingredients for this recipe

For the chocolate sponge cake you only need a few simplepantry staple ingredients that you may have already in your pantry anyway. Just mix everything together, add cherries and put it in the oven! Of course, you can also use other fruits if you want – here you can get creative!

  • All-purpose or spelt flour: or use gluten-free 1 to 1 baking flour instead. A mix of light flour and whole wheat flour also works well.
  • Cocoa powder: please use baking cocoa and not drinking chocolate!
  • Baking powder & baking soda: helps the cake to rise wonderfully!
  • Pinch of salt: to balance out the sweetness.
  • Sugar: I used a mix of raw cane sugar and coconut blossom sugar, but you can use any other kind of sugar you have on hand.
  • Cherries + their juice: Feel free to use other fruit (canned or fresh) and another fruit juice. Or just replace the juice with water or plant milk.
  • Vegetable oil: e.g. sunflower or canola oil or melted coconut oil. If you’re on a low-fat diet you could also replace some of the oil with unsweetened applesauce.
  • Vanilla extract: or ground vanilla for more flavor.
  • Apple cider vinegar: to make the leavening agents react better. However, you can also use another acid such as white vinegar or lemon juice.
  • Cornstarch: or try arrowroot starch.

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How to make Vegan chocolate cherry cake

As always, I recommend checking out these step-by-step instructions first. Then you’ll find the full recipe with exact measurements in the recipe card below!

Step 1: Prepare the cherries

Drain the cherries and reserve the juice. Then carefully mix the cherries with the cornstarch. Also, prepare your baking pan by lightly greasing the sides and lining the bottom with parchment paper.

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Step 2: Make the batter

First sift the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder into a large bowl. Then add baking soda, sugar, and salt and whisk together. In a measuring jar, whisk together cherry juice, oil, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar. Then pour it into the flour mixture and stir with a whisk or spoon until until just combined.

*Note: Do not stir the batter too long, otherwise the cake won‘t be fluffy, but rather dense.If you like, you can stir some vegan chocolate chips or chopped nuts into the batter.

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Step 3: Pour the batter into the pan and bake it

Pour half of the batter into a prepared baking pan and spread half of the cherries on top. Then pour the rest of the batter on top and finally spread the remaining cherries on top. Bake the chocolate cherry cake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Then let cool completely.

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Make your cake extra special!

Once your cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely. If you like, you can brush some cherry juice, liqueur or cherry compote on top. This adds not only more flavor to your chocolate cherry cake but it also helps the cake stay moist longer.

Finally, I like to decorate the cake with desiccated coconut and fresh cherries. However, feel free to do that however you like! Served with a scoop of vegan vanilla or coconut ice cream, it tastes even better – especially on warm days in the summer!

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How can I store the cake?

It is best to store the chocolate cherry cake in an airtight cake box or another container in the refrigerator. This way it won’t dry out and will still taste delicious after 3-4 days. Remove the cake at least 20 minutes before you want to eat it or warm it in the microwave for a few seconds. This will make your piece of cake soft and fluffy again – just like freshly baked! However, leftover pieces can be easily frozen and thawed as needed.

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This vegan chocolate cherry cake recipe is:

  • Quick and easy to make
  • Egg-less
  • Dairy-free (lactose-free)
  • Can be made gluten-free
  • Wonderfully chocolaty
  • Fruity and moist
  • Soft and fluffy
  • Totally delicious!
  • Perfect for any occasion!

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More Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipes to try

  • Best Vegan Chocolate Cake
  • Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Bread
  • Moist Vegan Zucchini Brownies
  • Best Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Vegan Snickers Cake
  • Vegan Chocolate Banana Pancakes
  • Chocolate Raspberry Cake
  • Vegan Chocolate Banana Pancakes
  • Best Vegan Brownies
  • One-Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake
  • Vegan Kinder Milchschnitten

If you try this vegan chocolate cherry cake recipe, feel free to leave me a comment and a star rating! And if you take a photo of your dessert and share it on Instagram, please tag me @biancazapatka and use the hashtag #biancazapatka because I love seeing your remakes! Happy baking! 🙂

Vegan Chocolate Cherry Cake (Easy Recipe) (14)

Author: Bianca Zapatka

This moist vegan chocolate cherry cake is a super easy and delicious sponge cake recipe that can be also baked in a loaf pan, on a sheet, or as cupcakes! Served with a scoop of vegan ice cream on top, you'll quickly convince any skeptics with this stunning cake!

4.88 von 8 Bewertungen

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Course Cake, Dessert

Cuisine German

Servings 12 Servings

Calories 212.7 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose or spelt flour or gluten-free flour*
  • 6 tbsp (40 g) cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ tsp (8 g) baking powder
  • 1 tsp (6 g) baking soda or 2 tsp more baking powder
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
  • 1 cup (240 ml) juice from the cherries or sub water or plant milk
  • cup (90 g) vegetable oil e.g. sunflower or canola oil or melted coconut oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 (350 g) can of sour cherries 12.3 oz drained weight or use fresh cherries
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch

To serve (optional)

  • desiccated coconut
  • cherries
  • vegan ice cream

Instructions

*Note: Be sure to check out the recipe video as well as the step-by-step pictures + tips at the top of the post!

  • Preheat the oven to 356 °F (180 °C). Lightly grease a 9-inch (22-24 cm) springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

  • Drain the cherries well and reserve the juice. Then add the cornstarch to the cherries and gently toss to coat.

  • Sift the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder into a large bowl. Then add baking soda, sugar, and salt and whisk together.

  • In a measuring jar, whisk together cherry juice, oil, vanilla extract and apple cider vinegar. Then pour it into the flour mixture and mix with a whisk or spoon until just combined (do not over-mix, or the cake will be dense).

  • Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread half of the cherries on top. Then pour the rest of the batter on top and finally spread the rest of the cherries on top.

  • Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

  • Remove from oven and let cool completely (if you like, you can brush some cherry juice, liqueur or cherry compote on top which helps the cake to stay moist longer).

  • Sprinkle the cake with desiccated coconut and garnish with fresh cherries. Serve with a scoop of vegan ice cream and enjoy!

Notes

  • Flour: Instead of all-purpose or spelt flour, you can use gluten-free 1 to 1 baking flour. A mix of light flour and whole wheat flour also works well. If using whole wheat flour only the cake may be too dense.
  • Oil-free: If you are on a low-fat diet, you could replace some of the oil with unsweetened applesauce.
  • Sugar: I used a mixture of raw cane sugar and coconut blossom sugar, but you can use any type of sugar. If using syrup, you should use a little less cherry juice.
  • Variation: Feel free to fold some vegan chocolate chips or chopped or nuts into the batter last.
  • Please read my blog post for more information about this recipe!

Nutritions

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 212.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 34.5g | Protein: 2.5g | Fat: 7.8g | Saturated Fat: 6.2g | Sodium: 37.6mg | Potassium: 111.3mg | Fiber: 1.3g | Sugar: 17.3g | Vitamin A: 18.7IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 15.8mg | Iron: 1.2mg

Nutrition is calculated automatically and should be used as estimate.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @biancazapatka or tag #biancazapatka!

IF YOU HAVE PINTEREST, YOU CAN FIND ME HERE AND PIN THE FOLLOWING PICTURE, IF YOU LIKE! 🙂

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©Bianca Zapatka | All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use myimages without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please link back to this post for the recipe. More info here. Thank youfor supporting biancazapatka.com!

Vegan Chocolate Cherry Cake (Easy Recipe) (16)Disclosure for affiliate links with asterisk(*):
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Vegan Chocolate Cherry Cake (Easy Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

Why is my vegan cake not fluffy? ›

CAKE NOT RISING

This can be caused by a few things already mentioned such as using the wrong egg replacer or over mixing. I always recommend using fresh raising agents. Generally, baking soda and baking powder only stay active for 3 months after opening.

Why is my vegan cake chewy? ›

After Googling I've found some things that may be the cause: Over mixed the batter (I thought I didn't but who knows) Didn't leave the milk+vinegar mixture long enough to curdle. I've also seen posts of people who recommend to add the vinegar right before your done with mixing.

What is the difference between a vegan cake and a regular cake? ›

To put it simply, a vegan cake is a cake that doesn't contain any animal-derived ingredients, most notably eggs, milk, and other dairy products. In 'regular' cakes, eggs and dairy products are among the key ingredients used to create the sponge and icing, and often decorations, too.

What is a secret ingredient for cakes? ›

Mayonnaise: The Hidden Gem in Cake Recipes

Made up of eggs and oil, mayonnaise acts as an emulsifier, adding creaminess and moisture to your cake. This unexpected addition can take your cake recipes to a whole new level. To incorporate mayonnaise into your cake batter, simply add a couple of tablespoons to the mix.

What is the secret to a very fluffy cake? ›

Most cakes begin with creaming butter and sugar together. Butter is capable of holding air and the creaming process is when butter traps that air. While baking, that trapped air expands and produces a fluffy cake. No properly creamed butter = no air = no fluffiness.

Why do vegan cakes need vinegar? ›

I know it may seem strange to add vinegar to baked goods, but just think of it as a chemical reaction. The baking soda in your recipe needs a little acid to help it start reacting (bubbling). That's why recipes will call for things like lemon juice or buttermilk.

What does apple cider vinegar do in vegan cakes? ›

The reason that you'll see apple cider vinegar or vinegar in a lot of vegan baked goods is because it helps with the leavening. It's an acid and it helps the cakes to rise.

What is left out of vegan cake? ›

Vegan baking, on the other hand, omits all animal products. While baking without eggs and butter can seem daunting, it's not impossible. All it takes is getting familiar with the right substitutions, and you'll be whipping up cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and more in no time.

Do vegan cakes taste different? ›

Flavor Differences

Gluten-Free bakers have different flour types to experiment with, and vegan bakers now have new alternatives to dairy products. In addition, vegan and gluten-free cakes contain way more fruits than regular cakes; this gives them a unique flavor.

Does cake box make vegan cakes? ›

Welcome to Cake Box Veganuary!

Satisfy your sweet cravings while staying true to your plant-based lifestyle. Our specially crafted vegan cakes are made with premium ingredients, offering a delightful treat for every occasion.

Why are vegan cakes so expensive? ›

Ingredient Costs:Vegan cakes rely on alternative ingredients such as plant-based milk, egg substitutes, and non-dairy butter, which can be more expensive than their conventional counterparts. Ingredients like almond flour, coconut oil, or specialty vegan chocolate may also contribute to higher costs.

Should a vegan cake be refrigerated? ›

Here are some guidelines: Room Temperature: Most vegan cakes stay fresh for 2-3 days at room temperature. After this time, they may start to dry out or lose their moisture. Refrigeration: Storing a vegan cake in the refrigerator can extend its freshness to about 4-5 days.

What is the main ingredient that makes a cake moist? ›

One common ingredient swap that is known to help make cakes remarkably moist is using milk instead of water. Try switching out any water in your recipe for full-fat milk or buttermilk for a moist, decadent texture.

What is the secret to baking a moist cake? ›

Use Your Ingredients Wisely
  1. Choose Fresh Leavening. ...
  2. Opt For Full-Fat Dairy. ...
  3. Reach For The Right Flour. ...
  4. Don't Double Down. ...
  5. Use Eggs And Butter At Room Temperature. ...
  6. Measure Accurately. ...
  7. Avoid Over Baking.
Apr 5, 2024

What ingredient makes cake fluffy? ›

Leavening Agents

Breads, cakes, cookies, and nearly all baked goods require a leavening agent. These are the key ingredients that make a cake rise. There are two types of leavening agents, chemical (baking soda and baking powder) and biological (yeast).

Why don t vegan cakes rise? ›

Leavening Agents: Eggs play a crucial role in leavening non-vegan cakes, but in vegan baking, bakers must find suitable alternatives to provide the necessary rise and lightness. Baking powder, baking soda, and vinegar combinations are commonly used to replace the leavening properties of eggs.

Why is my cake dense and not fluffy? ›

Your cake is too dense A cake that is overly dense typically has too much liquid, too much sugar or too little leavening (not excess flour, as is commonly thought).

Why is my cake dense instead of fluffy? ›

One of the key factors that can lead to dense cakes is the incorrect ratio of ingredients. Baking is a science, and even a small deviation from the recipe can have a big impact on the final texture of your cake. Too much flour or not enough leavening agents like baking powder can result in a dense cake.

Why didn't my eggless cake rise? ›

There could be various reasons, like you are not properly sifting the dry ingredients, or mixing the dry and wet ingredients too thoroughly. Or maybe the egg substitute is being too heavy. Make sure that the baking powder isn't too old or hasn't become moistened.

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