Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake - Rhian's Recipes (2024)

Last updated - ; Published - By Rhian Williams 93 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake is moist and fluffy, naturally colour and healthier than the traditional version! It has a balance ofsweet,salty,sourandchocolatey flavours and is covered in atangy vegan cream cheese frosting. It's also refined sugar free and super easy to make!

Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake - Rhian's Recipes (1)

Traditional Red Velvet Cake is made usingbuttermilk, but it's really easy to make a vegan "buttermilk".

How do you make vegan "buttermilk"?

1. Mix almond milk with vinegar in ameasuring jug.
2. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Tip: This trick works with any kind of non-dairy milk, as the vinegar curdles the milk so that it resembles buttermilk.

How do you make naturally coloured Red Velvet Cake?

To create a red colour without food colouring, I usedbeetroot powder.

You can buy beetroot powder inlocal health stores, as well as online.

If you can't get hold of it, it's not a problem if you leave it out - you'll just end up with a slightly differently coloured cake, but the taste will be the same and still delicious!

How to make the cake

Scroll down to the bottom of the post for thefull recipe.

Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake - Rhian's Recipes (2)

Tip: Line the baking tins with greased baking paperto make the sponges easier to remove afterwards.

Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake - Rhian's Recipes (3)
  • Bake in the oven for15 minutes.
Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake - Rhian's Recipes (4)
  • Place the sponges on a cooling rackuntil completely cooled before applying the frosting.
Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake - Rhian's Recipes (5)

How to make the vegan "cream cheese" frosting

  • Placecoconut cream,lemon juice,maple syrupandvanillain a bowl and use anelectric whiskto whip up until fluffy.
Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake - Rhian's Recipes (6)
Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake - Rhian's Recipes (7)

How long does this Red Velvet Cake keep for?

This Red Velvet Cake is best enjoyed fresh, but keeps covered in thefridgefor up to afew days.

Substitutions you can make

  • You can use any type of oil: coconut oil, olive oil or vegetable oil.
  • You can use any type of plant-based milk: almond milk, rice milk, soy milk, cashew milk, oat milk etc.
  • You can use any type of liquid sweetener: maple syrup, agave syrup, brown rice syrup etc.
  • You can replace thevinegarwithlemon juice.
  • You can replace the ground almonds (almond meal/almond flour) with ground walnuts.
  • For a nut-free version: replace the ground almonds (almond meal/almond flour) with ground sunflower seeds or use 30g (¼ cup) coconut flour instead of 150g (1 ¼ cup) ground almonds.
  • You can use plain flourinstead of the gluten-free flour if you’re not gluten-free.
  • You canomit the beetroot powder - it's used for adding red colouring but the recipe still works without it.
Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake - Rhian's Recipes (8)

More gluten-free vegan cake recipes

  • Tropical Carrot Cake
  • Chocolate Truffle Cake
  • Tropical Carrot Cake
  • Lemon Blueberry Cake
  • Cherry Bakewell Cake
  • Chocolate Cake
  • Black Forest Cake
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake
  • Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake
  • Lemon Pound Cake
  • Orange Drizzle Cake

If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog,I’d really love to hear anyfeedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo @rhiansrecipes #rhiansrecipes onInstagram! Thank you.

Watch how to make this recipe

Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake - Rhian's Recipes (9)

Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake

ThisGluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake is moistandfluffy,naturallycolouredandmuch healthier than the traditional version!

4.16 from 76 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: gluten-free red velvet cake, refined sugar free red velvet cake, vegan red velvet cake

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 400kcal

Author: Rhian Williams

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 200 ml ( cup) unsweetened almond milk (or any other plant-based milk)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
  • 60 g (¼ cup) coconut oil (or sub olive or vegetable oil)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
  • 8 tablespoons maple syrup (or sub any other sweetener)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch salt
  • 150 g (1 ¼ cup) ground almonds (almond meal) *
  • 150 g (1 ¼ cup) gluten-free flour blend (or sub plain flour if not gluten-free)
  • 2 heaped teaspoons baking powder (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
  • ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 3 teaspoons beetroot powder (optional - adds red colour but not completely necessary for the recipe to work)

For the frosting:

  • 400 g (14 oz) tin of full-fat coconut milk **
  • 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or sub any other sweetener)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

For the cake:

  • Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).

  • Measure out the milk and, leaving it in the measuring container, add the tablespoon of vinegar and stir - leave to sit for around 10 minutes, while you make the rest of the cake.

  • Place the coconut oil in a large bowl and melt over a saucepan of boiling water or in the microwave (skip this step if using any other oil).

  • Once melted, add the teaspoon of vinegar to the same bowl along with the maple syrup, vanilla, salt and ground almonds.

  • Sift in the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cocoa powder and beetroot powder.

  • Add the milk and vinegar mixture and mix well, adding a tiny splash more milk if it’s looking too dry.

  • Divide mixture between two greased baking tins lined with baking paper (I used two 7inch/18cm baking tins).

  • Bake in oven for around 15 minutes until risen slightly and an inserted skewer comes out clean.

  • Once out the oven, transfer cakes from baking tins onto a wired rack to leave them to cool completely before applying the frosting.

For the frosting:

  • You’ll need to keep your tin of coconut milk in the fridge overnight for the rich creamy bit to separate from the watery bit at the bottom. Make sure it is full fat coconut milk, otherwise this separation won’t happen and you won’t be able to make this cream!

  • Open the tin upside down – the coconut cream will be at the bottom and you can just pour off the watery liquid (save this for adding to soups or smoothies).

  • Place the thick, creamy part into a bowl.

  • Add the lemon juice, maple syrup and vanilla extract.

  • Use an electric whisk (or a manual one and a lot of elbow grease) to whip up the coconut cream until light and fluffy.

To frost and decorate the cake:

  • Place one half of the cake onto a plate or cake stand, and spread just less than half of the frosting onto it.

  • Place the other half of the cake on top of that and use rest of the frosting to spread on top.

  • Decorate with freeze-dried raspberries and cacao nibs if desired.

  • Keeps covered in the fridge for up to a few days.

Video

Notes

*You can alternatively usealmond flour.

**You can alternatively use 200g (7oz) coconut yogurt.

Nutrition Facts

Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake

Amount Per Serving

Calories 400Calories from Fat 252

% Daily Value*

Fat 28g43%

Saturated Fat 16g80%

Sodium 76mg3%

Potassium 201mg6%

Carbohydrates 35g12%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 16g18%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 127mg13%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Made the recipe?Tag @rhiansrecipes on instagram and use the hashtag #rhiansrecipes!

Disclosure: This posts contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase any of these products, a small percentage will come to me with no extra cost to you! This income will go towards the running of this blog – thank you.

More Baking & Dessert Recipes

  • Gluten-Free Vegan Raspberry Madeleines
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Raspberry Muffins
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Raspberry Cake
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Orange Poppy Seed Muffins

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Lisa .

    Will eithe Teff flour or millet flour be good substitutes for the almond flour?

    Reply

    • Rhian Williams

      I don't know as I haven't tested it, so I can't say. Would love to hear how you get on if you try it, though!

  2. Ines

    Hi Rhian, I love your cakes! Thank you so much for sharing. I will try this cake on the weekend but I can’t find any ready to buy gluten free flour mix, can you please advise a home blend? I hav almond flour, coconut flour, rice flour at disposable. Many thanks for your help and will definitely share the result! Cheers from Portugal 🙂

    Reply

    • Rhian Williams

      Thank you so much! Instead of gluten-free flour, you can use 140g rice flour and 10g tapioca flour. I hope that helps!

  3. Parth

    Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake - Rhian's Recipes (14)

    Reply

  4. Stu Hayes

    I have 3 - 6 inch pans. How do I adjust for the baking time in the oven? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Rhian Williams

      sorry do you mean that you have 3 pans that measure 6 inches each, or pans that are between 3 to 6 inches?

  5. Tia

    can I use fresh beets? I have some in the fridge that I want to use up.

    Reply

    • Rhian Williams

      No sorry! The texture won't be right. But if you want to use up fresh beets, you can use them to make my Beetroot Brownies! https://www.rhiansrecipes.com/beetroot-brownies/

« Older Comments

Gluten-Free Vegan Red Velvet Cake - Rhian's Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for cream cheese in red velvet cake? ›

For any reason, if you do not want to use cream cheese, the other alternative would be Whipped Cream. Both will give you a good Red Velvet. Cream cheese can be made easily at home. Just some pre-prep is needed.

Is Duncan Hines red velvet cake gluten-free? ›

This product has 2 ingredients with gluten and 2 ingredients that may have gluten.

Why did my gluten-free cake turn out gummy? ›

Gluten-free baked goods often benefit from extra liquid to hydrate the flour blends, eliminate grittiness, and achieve a less dense or dry texture. However, it's very important to drive off this extra moisture during baking, or you'll wind up with a gummy texture.

Is Duncan Hines red velvet cake vegan? ›

Since most boxed cakes require that you add eggs, milk and butter after, most major brands such as Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker are already vegan!

What is a vegan substitute for cream cheese? ›

Unsweetened Plain Yogurt (vegan)

It's great for making dips and spreads, but it's also a great substitute for cream cheese when you want to make a frosting.

What is a vegan substitute for cream cheese in baking? ›

Silken Tofu

If you're looking for a vegan cream cheese substitute, silken tofu holds up well and doesn't alter your food's flavor. Silken tofu is already popular in vegan recipes, especially dairy-free cheesecakes and custardy desserts like pumpkin pies.

Can celiacs eat gluten free cake? ›

Although regular breads and cakes are not included in a gluten free diet, there are many creative ways in which people with coeliac disease can have their cake and eat it! Gluten gives bread, cakes and pastry the right texture. Without gluten, bread is less chewy and cakes and pastry can be drier and more crumbly.

Does Dairy Queen cakes have gluten? ›

Yes Dairy Queen Has Gluten free products. Keep in mind that Gluten is in many DQ products and cross contact may easily occur during product preparation within our store locations.

What are the ingredients in Costco red velvet cake? ›

mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid],dry egg whites, soybean oil, cocoa processed with alkali ,leavening[baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, aluminum sulfate],food starch, dry egg yolk, propylene glycol mono & diesters of fatty acids with BHT & citric acid as a ...

What is the trick to baking with gluten-free flour? ›

Gluten-free flours often contain fine starches, so they absorb more liquid than conventional flour. To address this, gluten-free recipes usually call for more liquid and produce looser batters. They may also call for a larger quantity of leavening, like baking powder, to help add volume and lighten the texture.

How do you keep gluten-free cakes moist? ›

Tips for best results
  1. Add some almond flour: Using a small amount of almond flour in your baking can enhance the taste and texture dramatically. ...
  2. Add more fat or liquid: It might just be that you need a bit more moisture in your recipe, especially if you're converting a regular “gluten-ful” recipe to gluten-free.
Jan 8, 2022

What helps gluten-free cakes rise? ›

2 teaspoons of baking powder per cup of gluten-free flour is necessary to ensure proper leavening. Baking soda and buttermilk can be used to leaven instead of baking powder, but 1-1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar should be added for each 1/2 teaspoon baking soda used.

Is Dolly Parton cake mix vegan? ›

Both cake mixes are vegan, though they required some easy plant-based subs for fresh ingredients. In the coconut cake, for example, the milk can be swapped for coconut milk, the butter for vegan butter or coconut oil, and eggs for any egg replacement.

Is Betty Crocker red velvet cake vegan? ›

Is Betty Crocker cake mix vegan? Technically yes, although it is not explicitly marked as such. The mixture itself doesn't contain animal products but the box will tell you to add milk and eggs. However, it's super easy to veganize Betty Crocker cake mix.

Why is red velvet cake not vegetarian? ›

Be careful to make sure you use vegan colouring because a lot of red colouring is derived from cochineal insects. See a list of all my product recommendations at the end of this page just before the recipe. The star of the show in a red velvet cake is the cream cheese frosting.

Does red velvet always have cream cheese? ›

Red velvet cakes are also often finished with cream cheese or vanilla creme frosting, which plays off the tart buttermilk in the batter and makes a striking color contrast.

Why does red velvet cake always have cream cheese frosting? ›

Red velvet cake tastes like very mild cocoa with a slightly tart edge. The cream cheese frosting is the most forward flavor. Perhaps even more important than the taste is the texture: smooth, soft, tender and light with creamy icing.

Why is red velvet always paired with cream cheese? ›

Red velvet cake is also usually paired with white cream-cheese frosting. The white contrast highlights the lush red color, while the tanginess of the cream cheese plays off the buttermilk so well.

Can I substitute butter for cream cheese? ›

Cream cheese, mascarpone, ricotta and even cottage cheese can replace the butter in many recipes. Use high-quality whole milk cheeses in a 1:1 ratio for butter and consider straining ricotta or cottage cheeses through cheesecloth to help ensure they aren't adding too much liquid to your recipe.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Zonia Mosciski DO

Last Updated:

Views: 5845

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Zonia Mosciski DO

Birthday: 1996-05-16

Address: Suite 228 919 Deana Ford, Lake Meridithberg, NE 60017-4257

Phone: +2613987384138

Job: Chief Retail Officer

Hobby: Tai chi, Dowsing, Poi, Letterboxing, Watching movies, Video gaming, Singing

Introduction: My name is Zonia Mosciski DO, I am a enchanting, joyous, lovely, successful, hilarious, tender, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.