If you’re looking for a good cake recipe check this one out from Isa Chandra Moskowitz. It is terrific though I use vanilla extract and not the bean. Simply double it for 2 rounds, 8 inches in diameter. Cook for 25 to 35 minutes at 350°F. Test at 25 minutes to make sure it is not getting too brown. I used this recipe in quantity – you can find it (of a similar version) in Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World for our wedding cake and it turned out great. By the way, that is my go to cake cookbook. It has some wonderful recipes, so check it out on Amazon or your local bookseller.
In a pinch I do occasionally buy a box and use it. Frankly, if you’re baking 2 to 4 times a year a box makes it super easy. Just make sure the mix is vegan and then use a non-dairy milk and a powdered egg substitute like Bob’s Red Mill or Ener-G. They both work really well in most mixes. If you are trying to go oil free, you’ll have to figure out what substitute works best, but start with applesauce in equal quantities to the oil.
For the icing please keep your buttercream simple. There are all kinds of online recipes so find one that works. Here’s a link to Loving it Vegan or Isa Chandra’s here. Make sure to sift your powdered sugar. I have skipped this step and regretted the little chunks of powdered sugar in the finish icing. I have also tried with some success to make a fancier and fluffier white icing, but found the extra time and effort does not gain much in your final cake. Your results my vary so feel free to try a fancier version, but you really can’t beat these in my mind.
Have a great birthday party and when decorating the cake make a royal icing with vegan food coloring. I adapted this recipe from here.
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon, water – then more a teaspoon at a time until the right consistency to hold it’s shape, but soft enough so it can be piped onto the cake.
You may need to double or triple this recipe depending on how much you want to decorate. Whisk together to blend adding more water until it is firm, but are still able to pipe it onto the cake. Add water with care. A little goes a long way. Make sure to divide the white Royal icing into smaller bowls and then add your vegan food coloring to make the desired colors. If you forget to divide it, you’ll simple have to make additional batches, so it is way easier to make the icing once, divide it up and then to add the food coloring to the divided batches. Get your piping bags at Michael’s or online. I like Ateco bags better than Wilton, but Wilton has a lot more availability. Get the tips and couplers too. They often come in kits, which makes it easier to have the tips and couplers you need on hand.
Have fun making your cake and decorating it too. Please don’t stress. You can always scrape off your mistakes and start again. Enjoy the process. The celebrant will love that you took the time to make a special homemade cake to honor them and that no animals were harmed in any way. How awesome is that!