Extremely moist and with a thick layer of cinnamon crumble, that is the most effective vegan espresso cake! Simple to make and ideal for vacation celebrations, gifting, dessert, and brunch.
This vegan espresso cake was made for firm, serving it alongside espresso for an informal go to with mates or as half of a bigger brunch unfold. It’s the right deal with to get pleasure from with espresso, sure, but in addition to deliver as a hostess reward or for a extra relaxed weekend breakfast.
Learn on for all the pieces it’s worthwhile to make this vegan espresso cake, or scroll to the underside for the complete recipe.

Why we love this recipe
‘Tis the season for entertaining, which implies I’m continually serving up my honey pear muffins, chocolate olive oil cake or in a single day french toast casserole for when family and friends roll into city.
When getting down to make this espresso cake, I knew I needed to make a vegan model. Whereas I don’t contemplate myself vegan, I do attempt to eat as plant-based as doable, and although there are many good espresso cake recipes on the market, I couldn’t discover a knock-your-socks-off vegan espresso cake.
Fortunately, I’ve pastry chef extraordinaire Melanie Barsuk on my crew, and when she introduced me with this recipe–I knew we had a winner.
The key is the vegan yogurt or bitter cream. I examined it utilizing each Forager plant-based yogurt, and Kite Hill bitter cream, and each variations got here out extremely moist and barely tangy. That’s actually the key to good espresso cake: it ought to have a touch of tang, and the yogurt or bitter cream offers that. Nicely, that, together with the DIY buttermilk. Each of these components create an extremely tender crumb and texture.

Vegan Espresso Cake Components
You’re making three various things for this espresso cake–first, the cinnamon crumble layer. Subsequent, the batter, after which lastly, the glaze. The glaze is completely non-obligatory and makes for a sweeter and prettier cake. I like to recommend it, however if you’d like a much less candy espresso cake, then omit it.
For the cinnamon crumble, you’ll want brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and vegan butter. Earth Steadiness is my go-to vegan butter, however any will work. The brown sugar additionally provides extra taste than cane sugar, together with colour and moisture, which is why I take advantage of it right here.
For the batter, you’ll want unsweetened non-dairy milk, like oat milk or soy milk, apple cider vinegar, vegan butter, sugar, vegan yogurt or bitter cream, vanilla extract, flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. The vegan yogurt and bitter cream act with the apple cider vinegar, making the gluten extra tender and the general vegan espresso cake extra moisture.
If you happen to plan on making the glaze, you’ll additionally want powdered sugar, unsweetened non-dairy milk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup.
Substitution Notes
This recipe is written as vegan, however you can even use common buttermilk, butter, and yogurt or bitter cream if desired. That mentioned, for those who aren’t vegan, know that this recipe will work with common yogurt, bitter cream, milk, and butter, too.
I choose to make use of oat milk in making the vegan buttermilk after I bake as its excessive carbohydrate content material makes it simpler to brown. Almond milk and soy milk normally additionally work effectively when baking. I don’t suggest coconut milk because it normally makes for a really pale cake and has a powerful coconut taste.
Gluten-free will seemingly additionally work, however I haven’t tried it to substantiate. Each time I bake gluten-free, I choose to make use of a 1:1 flour combine for greatest outcomes.
I examined this recipe utilizing cane sugar and brown sugar, and don’t suggest utilizing alternate options as they haven’t been examined. Nevertheless, coconut sugar or maple sugar sometimes works in a espresso cake recipe like this.
I do know some folks like to make use of coconut oil as a substitute of vegan butter when baking, however I don’t assume it really works the identical method and don’t suggest it.

Easy methods to Make this Vegan Espresso Cake
Make the buttermilk
Begin by making the buttermilk, as it is going to take about 10 minutes to curdle. Combine collectively the unsweetened dairy-free milk of selection together with the vinegar. That is key in making for a extra tender espresso cake, so make sure that to let the milk curdle earlier than including to the remainder of the components.

Make the cinnamon crumble
In a mini meals processor or common meals processor, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and butter. A meals processor makes this straightforward, however you can even do that by hand by grating the butter into the components and mixing till simply mixed.

Make the batter
Cream collectively the butter and sugar till pale yellow, then add within the yogurt or bitter cream. Add within the dry components and blend by hand. I take advantage of a stand mixer for ease, however a whisk or an electrical mixer also can work.

Layer the cinnamon and batter
Unfold half of batter in ready pan. Sprinkle with half of crumble. Dollop remaining batter and utilizing an offset spatula, unfold layer of batter over crumble gently. High with remaining crumble.
Sure, there’s a healthy dose of the cinnamon crumble, which makes the recipe! Don’t skip it.

Bake and add glaze
Bake till tender and set, or till a toothpick comes out clear, about 40-45 minutes. Whisk collectively all of the components for the glaze. Let the espresso cake cool fully, then drizzle with the glaze. Serve and revel in! This one is so good with a cup of espresso.

Ideas for Success
A mini meals processor (or common meals processor) makes for simple prep, particularly in making the streusel topping. If you happen to don’t wish to use a meals processor, then I like to recommend grating the chilly butter into the cinnamon crumble topping after which mixing till simply mixed.
The glaze is non-obligatory, however I believe it makes for a fancy-looking vegan espresso cake and provides extra sweetness.
Make certain to let the espresso cake cool fully earlier than slicing.

What to serve with
This vegan espresso cake is a should with espresso, clearly, nevertheless it’s additionally nice as a part of any breakfast or dessert unfold.
After I make it for breakfast or brunch, I wish to serve it with my tofu scramble as a vegan different to scrambled eggs and my grapefruit salad.

Often Requested Questions
Why does the vegan butter for the crumble have to be chilly? What if I take advantage of softened butter?
Chilly butter is important for a very good crumble! Small, chilly items of butter will soften within the oven, creating little pockets and leading to a extra tender texture. Softened butter will mix an excessive amount of with the dry components.
Do I really want to attend 10 minutes for the buttermilk to mix?
This step creates a vegan model of buttermilk, and the acid from the vinegar curdles the non-dairy milk, serving to to activate the baking soda and tenderize the gluten.
I don’t have a meals processor. Any suggestions for making the crumble by hand?
If you wish to make the crumble by hand, make sure that your vegan butter could be very chilly (you possibly can even freeze it for quarter-hour). Use a field grater and grate the butter into the dry components, then use your fingertips, a pastry blender, and even two knives to chop the butter into the flour combination. Cease when the combination seems to be like coarse crumbs or small pebbles.
Extra Vegan Cake Recipes
If you happen to make this vegan espresso cake recipe, make sure that to come back again to go away a score and a remark. Your suggestions helps different readers and seeing you make my recipes makes my day!


That is the most effective vegan espresso cake, extremely moist with a thick cinnamon crumble layer! Simple to make and ideal for vacation celebrations, gifting, dessert, and brunch.
Cinnamon Crumble Layer:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 2/3 cup flour
- 5 tablespoons chilly vegan butter, lower into small items
Espresso Cake Batter:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 8 tablespoons vegan butter
- 1 cup cane sugar
- 2/3 cup vegan yogurt or bitter cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Glaze (non-obligatory)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
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Preheat oven to 350 levels. Put together an 8×8 baking dish, then line it with parchment paper for simpler elimination. Spray with cooking spray or oil and put aside.
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Make buttermilk by combining the 1/2 cup milk with vinegar and put aside for at the very least 10 minutes.
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Make the cinnamon crumble by combining all components in a meals processor. Place in fridge till learn to make use of. If you do not have a meals processor and wish to make this by hand, then grate the butter first earlier than mixing collectively.
Make the batter
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Cream butter with sugar in an electrical mixer or stand mixer till pale yellow. Add yogurt or bitter cream and vanilla. Add the dry components (flour, baking powder and soda and salt) together with the buttermilk. Fold batter by hand till mixed. Batter will look ethereal and shaggy.
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Unfold half of the batter within the ready pan. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon crumble. Dollop the remaining batter on high, and utilizing an offset spatula, unfold the layer of batter over the crumble gently. High with remaining cinnamon crumble.
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Bake for 40-45 minutes or till middle springs again to the touch. Enable to chill fully earlier than including the glaze or chopping.
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For the glaze, mix the entire components and drizzle onto the cooled cake.
For the cinnamon crumble, utilizing a mini meals processor is quick and simple. If you happen to do it by hand, I like to recommend grating the butter so it comes collectively sooner.
The glaze is completely non-obligatory. I actually appreciated it with out the glaze as it isn’t an excellent candy cake, so good along with your morning espresso. The glaze makes the cake look fairly and provides sweetness, however may be omitted if most well-liked.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 357kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 4gFats: 14gSaturated Fats: 4gPolyunsaturated Fats: 3gMonounsaturated Fats: 5gTrans Fats: 1gLdl cholesterol: 8mgSodium: 302mgPotassium: 87mgFiber: 1gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 482IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 2mg

