Recipe by Minimalist Baker
A Soft, Sweet Slice of Celebration in Every Forkful
This classic vanilla cake is everything you want in a party ready dessert. It is tender, sweet, beautifully golden and has that melt in your mouth crumb that makes each bite feel special. Even better, it is gluten free, dairy free and fully plant powered while still tasting like the vanilla cakes you grew up loving.
The batter comes together quickly with simple ingredients, and the rich vanilla buttercream makes the whole cake feel like a bakery level treat. Dress it up with berries, swirl it tall with frosting or keep it simple for an everyday celebration. No matter how you slice it, this cake brings softness, sweetness and pure joy to the table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tender crumb and classic vanilla flavor without gluten
- Easy batter you can mix by hand
- Works for birthdays, holidays or everyday cake cravings
- Pairs beautifully with fresh fruit or vegan buttercream
- Stays moist and soft even when made ahead
Classic Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake
- Total Time: 60 minutes plus cooling
- Yield: 10 to 12 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A Vanilla Dream Come True
This soft, sweet, gluten free vanilla cake bakes up light and tender, then gets finished with creamy vegan buttercream for a classic dessert everyone will love.
Ingredients
Cake
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1 2/3 cups dairy free milk
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1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
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1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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3 1/4 cups almond flour
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1 scant cup potato starch
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1/3 cup cornstarch
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1 1/3 cups organic cane sugar
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1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
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1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
Frosting
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2 sticks vegan butter softened
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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3 1/2 to 4 cups organic powdered sugar sifted
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour two 8 inch cake pans, one 9×13 inch pan or three 6 inch pans.
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Whisk dairy free milk with vinegar and let sit for a few minutes. Add applesauce and vanilla.
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In a large bowl, whisk almond flour, potato starch, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
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Add wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until smooth and pourable. Adjust consistency with more almond flour or milk if needed.
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Divide batter evenly between pans.
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Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
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Cool 15 minutes in pans, then invert and cool completely.
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For frosting, beat softened vegan butter for 1 minute, then add vanilla.
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Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until frosting is thick and spreadable.
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Frost cooled cake and decorate as desired.
Notes
Top with fresh berries for a bright, summery finish.
Layer with lemon curd or jam for extra color and flavor.
Serve with coffee or tea for a cozy dessert moment.
Nutrition info is approximate.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Sweets and Treats
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Classic, Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 420kcal
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
