Go Back
+ servings
A two-layered Vegan Lemon Cake with cream cheese frosting and spiraled fresh lemons on top.
Print Recipe
4.74 from 15 votes

Vegan Lemon Cake

This Vegan Lemon Cake is an amazing layered summer treat! The perfect combo of both sweet and tart together to make your mouth explode with happiness.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16 slices
Calories: 575kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cake flour (sub for 3 ⅔ cups all purpose + ⅓ cup cornstarch)
  • 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • zest of 2 whole lemons
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups vegan cane sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup vegan butter
  • 1 ½ cups dairy free milk
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup dairy free yogurt (can sub applesauce or coconut cream)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For Vegan Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted vegan butter, softened to room temperature
  • 8 oz vegan cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 2 9" pans and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients ( cake flour, baking powder, salt, turmeric, and lemon zest). Set aside.
  • In another large mixing bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients (lemon juice, both sugars, vegan butter, oil, non-dairy milk, yogurt, and vanilla) until very well combined.
  • Slowly pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Use a spatula to fold together just until combined. DO NOT OVERMIX.
  • Pour into prepared pans evenly.
  • Bake for 30-40 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let cool before removing.
  • While cooling, into a large bowl, beat vegan butter and cream cheese together until creamy.
  • Add in powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating with mixer after each. Add in lemon juice, vanilla, and salt. Blend together again.
  • Spread or pipe frosting onto cake as desired.

Notes

See post for tips, tricks and ideas. 
Nutritional facts are just estimates. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 575kcal | Carbohydrates: 93g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 404mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 67g | Vitamin A: 897IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg