With the number of people following a vegan diet rising each year, it's no surprise that demand for vegan cakes is also on the rise. 

Over the last few years, we've welcomed lots of new customers to our Lazy Day community looking for delicious, vegan treats to satisfy their sweet tooth. From seriously moreish Celebration Chocolate Cake to our adorably tasty Mini Vic The Vegan Caterpillar Cakes, our shelves (virtually and physically speaking) are bursting with choices for our plant-based pals. 

But what are vegan cakes made from? Let’s delve into all things vegan cakes and explore the ingredients that make them, well, vegan!

What is a Vegan 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. But in a vegan cake, these ingredients are substituted for plant-based alternatives that act in their place.

What is a Vegan Cake Made Of?

So you know that vegan cake contains plant-based ingredients, but what exactly are they? Here's a breakdown of the most common substituted components of vegan cakes:

Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are often used as an egg replacer in vegan cakes. They work well to bind the ingredients together and create a fluffy, moist texture, just like eggs do.

We use milled brown flaxseeds in our cakes, which are high in fibre and omega-3 fatty acids. 

Xanthan Gum

Similar to flaxseeds, xanthan gum is also used as a binding agent in vegan baking. It helps to create a thick, sticky consistency that mimics the texture of eggs.

It also accounts for the absence of gluten in our cakes since we use gluten-free flour. The xanthan gum helps the sponge to keep its structure, resulting in the light, fluffy texture we know and love from Lazy Day cakes.

Dairy-Free Chocolate

We all love to indulge in chocolate, but typical chocolate contains milk, so it's not vegan-friendly. Instead, dairy-free chocolate is used in its place.

Dark Belgian chocolate is a signature ingredient in many of our free-from snacks and cakes, which is made using cocoa mass and cocoa butter, leaving out any milk or other dairy products.

Dairy-free white chocolate is also used in some of our products, like Vic The Vegan's loveable face. 

Plant-Based Oils 

Butter is another common ingredient you'll find in a ‘normal’ cake recipe, which isn't vegan-friendly. Instead, plant-based oils (or butter) are used to add moisture and richness to the sponge, and for other elements like decoration. 

We use a variety of plant-based oils across our range of cakes, including:

  • Coconut oil

  • Rapeseed oil

  • Sunflower oil

Who Else are Vegan Cakes Suitable For?

Since these cakes don't contain any animal-derived ingredients or byproducts, it also means they're suitable for those following a dairy-free or egg-free diet. This includes people with allergies or intolerances, as well as those choosing to avoid certain foods for various reasons.

Our vegan cakes also don't contain gluten or nuts as well as eggs and dairy – perfect for those with multiple dietary intolerances. 

Do Vegan Cakes Taste the Same as Regular Cakes?

We know what you're thinking – do vegan cakes actually taste good? The answer: a resounding YES! 

Our Lazy Day bakers have worked tirelessly to perfect our recipes, ensuring that each cake is as delicious and indulgent as regular cakes. We've received countless positive reviews from our customers, both vegan and non-vegan alike, who can't tell the difference between our vegan cakes and regular ones.

“Bloody lovely!! the first vegan cake my daughter has had that she can eat and tasted fabulous.”
— Claire W
“Lovely. Really pleased. My daughter is vegan, im not and we both loved this cake. Texture is dense and moist and icing is just the right amount of sweet. Definitely buy again”
— Cath M

Are Vegan Cakes Healthier? 

It's quite a common misconception that vegan cakes are 'healthy'. After all, a cake is a cake! 

Just as with traditional cakes, vegan cakes still contain sugar and fat, which are key ingredients for creating that oh-so-satisfying indulgent treat. But they don't usually contain any more or any less of these ingredients than regular cakes.

Where to Buy the Best Vegan Cakes

Vegan cakes are more readily available than ever, with many supermarkets and independent shops now stocking a range of options. 

But for the ultimate plant-based deliciousness, you're in the right place to satisfy those cravings! Our entire range of cakes and sweet treats is vegan – from our award-winning Celebration Chocolate Cake to our heavenly Millionaire's Shortbread. 

All of our goodies are available to order through our online shop, so you can have the taste of Lazy Day delivered throughout the UK. 

You'll also find us in some of the UK's biggest supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury's Morrisons, and Waitrose – head over to the free-from aisle and keep an eye out for our cakes on your next shop!

FAQs

  • If a cake is vegan, it will state so on the packaging. It also won't contain any animal or animal-derived ingredients like milk, butter, cream, or eggs.

  • No, vegan cakes don't typically have more sugar than regular cakes. The same goes for saturated fats.

  • Vegan cake will not contain any animal-derived milk, like cow's or goat's milk.

  • Our free-from and vegan Vanilla Sponge Cake is one of the stars of our incredible range of cakes and treats that's loved by customers all across the UK. It's like a classic vanilla sponge traybake but without any gluten, dairy, eggs, or nuts, and chock full of smooth, sweet vanilla frosting and a light sponge. You can pick it up at Sainsbury's or order it directly from our online shop.