Vegan Chocolate Cake

Some of the best things in life are simple, and this cake is a perfect example. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug—unpretentious, reliable, and deeply satisfying. There’s no fancy technique or hard-to-find ingredients here, just a humble, one-bowl wonder that results in a wonderfully moist and rich chocolate cake. It’s my go-to for last-minute birthdays, potlucks, or when the afternoon just calls for a little slice of something sweet.

What You'll Need

This recipe is a beautiful lesson in simplicity. You likely have most of these staples in your pantry right now. The magic is in how they come together.

• Dry Ingredients: All-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt.
• Wet Ingredients: Water, a neutral oil (like vegetable or canola), white or apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract.
• For Decoration: A bar of your favourite vegan dark chocolate.

Putting It All Together

If you’ve ever been intimidated by baking, this cake is for you. It’s wonderfully forgiving. Just remember the golden rule: get that oven preheating first! It gives you a head start.

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a round 8-inch cake pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients. Make a well in the center.
3. Pour all the wet ingredients right into the well of dry ingredients.
4. Now, just mix it! Use a whisk or a spatula and blend everything together until the batter is smooth and there are no more dry patches. Don't overmix, just until it's combined.
5. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth out the top.

The Waiting Game

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for about 45 minutes. Your house will start to smell absolutely incredible. The cake is done when a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan for a bit before turning it out onto a wire rack. This is the hardest part—waiting for it to cool!

A Simple, Sweet Finish

While the cake cools, melt your vegan chocolate bar. You can do this gently in the microwave or over a double boiler. Once the cake is cool, drizzle that glossy, melted chocolate all over the top. Let it drip down the sides a little—it makes it look so inviting. That’s it! No fussy buttercreams, just pure, unadulterated chocolate joy.

Slice yourself a piece, pour a glass of plant-based milk or a cup of coffee, and enjoy. It’s not the fanciest cake on the block, but it’s made with a whole lot of heart, and I think you can taste that. I hope it becomes a trusted friend