Fluffy Vegan Strawberry Cake

A soft, moist, and naturally sweet strawberry-infused cake—perfect for celebrations or a delightful treat any time!

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup dairy-free milk (almond, soy, or oat)
• ½ cup neutral oil (canola or vegetable)
• ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, blended into a purée
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

For the Strawberry Frosting:

• ½ cup vegan butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp strawberry purée
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 tbsp dairy-free milk (as needed for consistency)

Instructions

1. Prepare the batter:
   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
   • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   • In a separate bowl, mix the dairy-free milk, oil, applesauce, vanilla, and lemon juice.
   • Stir in the strawberry purée until well combined.
   • Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined (don’t overmix).
2. Bake the cake:
   • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
   • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
   • Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Make the frosting:
   • In a large bowl, beat the vegan butter until fluffy.
   • Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, followed by the strawberry purée and vanilla.
   • Add 1-2 tbsp of dairy-free milk if needed for a smooth, spreadable consistency.
4. Assemble the cake:
   • Spread a layer of frosting over the first cake layer, then place the second layer on top.
   • Frost the entire cake and decorate with fresh strawberry slices if desired.

Tips:

• Use freeze-dried strawberry powder for a more intense strawberry flavor in the frosting.
• Swap all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend to make it GF-friendly.
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Nutritional Information (per slice):

• Calories: ~320 kcal
• Protein: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fat: 12g

A light, fruity, and perfectly sweet strawberry cake—deliciously plant-based and perfect for any occasion!