Birthdays are special occasions that call for celebration, joy, and, most importantly, cake. For those following a vegan lifestyle, the quest for the perfect birthday cake that aligns with their ethical choices can be challenging. However, with the right ingredients and cake decorating tools, creating a vegan birthday cake that is both delicious and visually stunning is entirely possible. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the steps to make a vegan birthday cake from scratch, focusing on using essential cake decorating tools to elevate your creation.
Ingredients for a Basic Vegan Cake
1 ½ cups plant-based milk
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
Flavorings (vanilla extract, cocoa powder, etc.)
Step 1: Choose Your Cake Flavor
The first step in making a vegan birthday cake is to choose your cake flavor. Popular options include vanilla, chocolate, carrot, and lemon. The key to a good vegan cake is finding the right substitutes for eggs and dairy. For eggs, options like applesauce, mashed bananas, or a commercial egg replacer work well. For dairy, plant-based milks such as almond, soy, or oat milk are excellent substitutes.
Step 2: Mixing and Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a small bowl, combine the plant-based milk with apple cider vinegar and set aside for a few minutes to curdle, creating a vegan buttermilk.
In a larger bowl, mix the dry ingredients together. Then, add the oil, vegan buttermilk, and any flavorings. Stir until just combined; avoid overmixing.
Pour the batter into a cake pan that has been greased or lined with RFAQK parchment paper.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 3: Let It Cool
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This is crucial for the decorating process, as a warm cake can cause frostings and decorations to melt.
Step 4: Prepare Your Vegan Frosting
While your cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. A simple vegan buttercream can be made with vegan butter, powdered sugar, plant-based milk, and flavorings.
Ingredients for Vegan Buttercream Frosting
1 cup vegan butter, softened
3 ½ – 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 tsp vanilla extract
2-4 tbsp plant-based milk
Whip the vegan butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar. Add the vanilla extract and enough plant-based milk to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Step 5: Decorating Your Cake
Now, the fun part: decorating your vegan birthday cake! This is where your essential baking and cake decorating tools come into play.
Offset Spatula: For spreading frosting smoothly over your cake.
Piping Bags and Tips: For creating borders, flowers, and other decorative details.
Turntable: Makes it easier to apply frosting and add decorations around the cake evenly.
Fondant: Vegan fondant is available for those who want a sleek, professional finish. Use fondant smoothers to perfect the look.
Decorating Brushes: For painting on fondant or adding details with food coloring.
Start by applying a crumb coat—a thin layer of frosting that seals in the crumbs. Chill the cake for about 30 minutes, then add the final coat of frosting. Use your offset spatula to smooth it out, or give it texture with swoops and peaks.
For decorations, fill your piping bag fitted with your chosen tip with frosting and practice your designs on parchment paper before moving to the cake. Create borders, write messages, or pipe flowers and rosettes. If using fondant, roll it out on a surface dusted with powdered sugar and drape it over your cake, smoothing out the sides and trimming the excess.
Step 6: Adding the Final Touches
Your vegan birthday cake is almost ready to shine at the celebration. For the final touches, consider adding vegan sprinkles, edible flowers, or fruit. Remember, the decorations don’t have to be perfect. It’s the love and care put into making the cake that truly counts.
Conclusion
When tackling the challenge of creating a vegan birthday cake, it’s helpful to experiment with different recipes to find your favorites. Consider the many possibilities that come with vegan baking, such as incorporating unique ingredients like avocado for green-colored icing or coconut cream for rich, fluffy textures. Embrace the variety of plant-based alternatives available that not only cater to vegan diets but also offer new flavors and experiences in cake decorating.
Moreover, taking the time to master the use of your RFAQK cake decorating tools can turn the art of vegan cake decoration into a fantastic activity. Practice using different piping tips to discover how each one can affect the design of your cake. Enjoy the process of mixing colors and creating custom designs with an airbrush for stunning, vibrant finishes. Learning these skills not only enhances your baking expertise but also makes the experience more enjoyable and fulfilling. Ultimately, the goal is to present a cake that looks as good as it tastes, without compromising on your vegan principles. With the right tools, techniques, and a bit of creativity, your vegan birthday cakes will be the highlight of any celebration, proving that vegan baking can be as indulgent and spectacular as any traditional cake. As you continue to explore and refine your skills, each cake becomes a reflection of your dedication to baking and decorating the cakes.
