Best Vegan Strawberry Cake Recipe | Soft & Fluffy Pink Cake

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Imagine sinking your fork into a soft, fluffy cake infused with fresh strawberries—each bite bursting with sweet, juicy flavor. This small-batch vegan strawberry cake is a delightful treat, perfect for when you crave something special but don’t need a full-sized cake. With its naturally fruity flavor, tender crumb, and a luscious strawberry frosting, this cake is pure bliss in every bite.

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Cake

✅ ¾ cup fresh strawberries, pureed (or thawed frozen strawberries)
✅ ⅓ cup plant-based milk (almond, oat, or soy)
✅ 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (helps create a tender cake)
✅ ¼ cup neutral oil (coconut, vegetable, or light olive oil)
✅ ½ cup granulated sugar
✅ 1 tsp vanilla extract
✅ 1 cup all-purpose flour (or a gluten-free blend)
✅ 1 tsp baking powder
✅ ¼ tsp baking soda
✅ Pinch of salt

For the Strawberry Frosting

✅ ½ cup vegan butter, softened
✅ 1 cup powdered sugar
✅ ¼ cup strawberry puree
✅ ½ tsp vanilla extract
✅ Pinch of salt

Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and line a 6-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.

2️⃣ Make the Strawberry Puree: Blend fresh strawberries until smooth. Set aside ¾ cup for the cake and ¼ cup for the frosting.

3️⃣ Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes to create a vegan "buttermilk." Then add oil, sugar, vanilla extract, and strawberry puree. Mix well.

4️⃣ Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

5️⃣ Bring It All Together: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and fluffy.

6️⃣ Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.

7️⃣ Prepare the Frosting: In a bowl, beat the softened vegan butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, strawberry puree, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating until smooth and fluffy.

8️⃣ Assemble & Serve: Spread the frosting over the cooled cake. For an extra touch, top with fresh strawberry slices or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Tips for the Perfect Vegan Strawberry Cake

🍓 Use Ripe Strawberries: The sweeter the berries, the better the flavor!
🎂 Chill Before Frosting: Let the cake cool completely to prevent the frosting from melting.
❄️ Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
💖 Make It Extra Fancy: Add a drizzle of melted dark chocolate or a handful of freeze-dried strawberries for decoration.

This small-batch vegan strawberry cake is soft, fruity, and simply irresistible—perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself)! Whether for a special occasion or just because, this cake is guaranteed to make any moment sweeter.