Creative Ways to Make Plant-Based Cakes Taste Fantastic

For those who are looking to reduce their consumption of animal-based products, or are following a plant-based diet, giving up cakes can be a tough ask. However, it’s entirely possible to make delicious, moist and decadent cakes without using any animal-based ingredients! In this article, we’ll take a look at some creative ways to make your plant-based cakes taste fantastic.

Use Non-Dairy Milk and Yogurt

Traditional cake recipes typically call for cow’s milk and butter. However, plant-based milk and yogurt like almond, soy, cashew or coconut milk, and plain non-dairy yogurt, can be excellent substitutes. While non-dairy yogurt can provide richness that is equivalent to dairy-based yogurt, milk alternatives such as almond milk contain similar levels of fat and protein, which gives cakes their moist texture.

Choose the Right Oil

When a recipe calls for oil, you may be wondering which type of oil to use. Coconut oil is a popular choice due to its rich creaminess, but you can also use vegetable oil, olive oil, or avocado oil. Each oil has its unique taste, so it’s best to choose the right oil based on the kind of cake you want to bake. For example, chocolate cakes often pair perfectly with avocado oil, while a citrus or berry cake can benefit from olive oil.

Add a Touch of Vinegar

Adding a tablespoon or two of vinegar to your cake batter helps to neutralize the flavors, especially when using non-dairy milk. Apple cider vinegar, in particular, can add a distinct tangy flavor that can enhance the taste of your cake. This ingredient also helps to keep your cake moist and fluffy, so don’t leave it out!

Experiment with Alternative Sweeteners

Choosing a sweetener can be tricky when baking a plant-based cake. Most traditional recipes call for refined white sugar, but there are plenty of other options. Natural sweeteners like maple syrup, agave nectar, date syrup, and coconut sugar not only add sweetness to your cake, but each has its unique flavor that can elevate the overall taste of the cake.

Final Thoughts

Making plant-based cakes taste fantastic is all about experimenting with different flavors and ingredients. With the increase in demand for plant-based products, there are plenty of substitutes available, allowing you to bake delicious cakes without having to sacrifice taste or texture. By swapping out dairy, eggs, and other animal-based ingredients, you can create a cake that is not only better for the environment and your health, but also incredibly delicious!