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This eggless chocolate cake will be your go-to cake recipe when you are in the baking mood! No eggs and no dairy needed, it’s made in just one bowl!
Eggless Cake
Human beings love cake. I genuinely don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy a slice of cake and of course, the chocolate variety is a fan favorite.
It’s no secret that I love a good chocolate cake. I’ve made tons of variations of it (almond flour, coconut flour, low carb, vegan, and healthy!), so let’s add an eggless chocolate cake into the mix.
Why this recipe works
This eggless cake recipe is an absolute home run. You guys, this cake is perfect to make when you only have pantry staples on hand and have an intense craving for cake… which happens far too often to the best of us!
- It uses pantry staples. Flour, sugar, salt, and a few other staples are all you’ll need.
- Naturally vegan and gluten free. This cake is accidentally diet friendly if you can’t eat eggs or dairy, or have a gluten intolerance.
- Perfect texture. The texture of the cake is super moist and fluffy and has a tender crumb.
- The best flavor. It’s full of chocolate flavor and is topped with a delicious frosting!
How to make an eggless cake
Baking an eggless cake can be a bit challenging, as eggs usually serve as a binding agent and help to provide structure. However, with the correct combination of ingredients and a simple preparation, you can bake the perfect egg free cake!
- Cake flour OR all purpose flour– I prefer using cake flour, as it yields a much lighter and fluffier center, which is a must for an eggless cake. If you don’t have cake flour, all purpose flour will be a fine alternative.
Gluten free substitute
Use a gluten free cup-for-cup baking flour (like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur Baking) to make this cake gluten free.
- Sugar– White sugar or organic white sugar. I don’t recommend using brown sugar, as it tends to make the middle of the cake a little too soft.
- Baking soda– Reacts with the vinegar to help the cake rise and replicate what eggs would typically do!
- Salt– Just a pinch to balance out all the other ingredients.
- Vinegar– White vinegar is preferred, but apple cider vinegar will also work. Avoid using red wine vinegar, as it will leave the cake with a slightly sour flavor.
- Oil of choice– I used vegetable oil, but feel free to use safflower, avocado, or canola oil. Avoid using coconut oil or olive oil, as it can leave an underlying and subtle flavor.
- Vanilla extract– Adds a lovely vanilla flavor.
- Water– Lukewarm water. Either get it directly from the tap or dilute boiling water with cold water.
- Chocolate frosting– I used my foolproof 2 ingredient chocolate frosting.
Start by adding the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Add the vinegar, oil, vanilla extract, and warm water and whisk together, until a smooth batter remains. Distribute the batter evenly among two 8-inch cake pans. Bake the cakes at 180C/350C for 18-20 minutes, or until a skewer comes out mostly clean.
Now, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in their pans completely. Once cooled, carefully slice down the center of each cake so you are left with four thin layers of cake. Place the first layer onto a flat surface and spread with frosting. Repeat the process until you have a four-layer cake.
Tips to make the best eggless chocolate cake
- Do not overbake the cakes, as they continue to cook as they are cooling down. Check the cake around the 25-minute mark and if a skewer comes out mostly clean, you can remove it from the oven!
- Avoid overmixing the batter as doing so can result in a dense and gummy cake.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before adding the frosting. If you try to add it to a still-warm cake, you risk the frosting seeping off and yielding a thin cake.
- If you’d like a single-layer cake, reduce the recipe by half and bake it in just one cake pan.
Storage instructions
To store: If you intend to enjoy the cake within 3 days, it can be stored at room temperature, covered. If you’d like to keep the cake longer, place it in a sealable container and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
To freeze: Place leftover cake in a shallow container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Recommended tools to make this recipe
- 8-inch cake pan. My tried-and-tested cake pans always cooks cakes evenly and completely.
- Springform cake pan. For the easy removal of cakes without the risk of them falling apart.
- Cake turntable. This has been a game changer for frosting cakes seamlessly and easily.
More eggless recipes to try
Frequently asked questions
The combination of oil and water helps keep the batter moist and produces a moist crumb. Do not substitute the oil with lower fat options like apple
Yes, equal parts melted butter can replace the oil in the cake batter. However, the cake will no longer be vegan friendly.
You can check if the cake is done by inserting a toothpick in the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. You can also lightly press the tops of it and see if it bounces back slightly.
Yes, if you use a gluten free baking flour that has added xanthan gum, this cake will be suitable for celiacs.
Eggless Cake
Ingredients
- 3 cups cake flour or all purpose flour
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup oil any neutral flavored oil
- 2 teaspoon white vinegar can use apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 cup chocolate frosting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease two 8-inch cake pans and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients and mix well. Add the oil, vinegar, vanilla extract, and warm water, and mix until a smooth batter remains.
- Transfer the batter into the greased cake pans and bake for 17-20 minutes, or until a skewer comes out mostly clean.
- Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool completely. Once cool, cut down the center of each cake to leave four thin cake layers. Place the first layer onto a flat surface and spread with frosting. Repeat the process until you are left with a four layer cake.
My BIL made this for my 60th birthday it was the 1st cake I have had in years due to a egg allergy ……delicious moist and enjoyed by us all , will def keep this recipe for future cake baking
🙂 Thanks, Denise! Happy birthday 🙂
I baked this cake a day early for my son’s birthday. It was incredibly moist and the recipe is easy to follow. Winner!
Thanks so much 🙂
The BEST eggless cake recipe ever 🙂
Hello there, can I use milk instead of water? thanks for eggless receipe
Yes you can!
Can I use melted butter?
Yes!
Hello I just wanted to ask where I can see the recipe for the cream of the cake?
Here we go- https://thebigmansworld.com/2-ingredient-chocolate-frosting/
I’m so happy to find recipes with no eggs because I also have an extreme allergy to eggs but now I don’t have to miss out on cakes, cookies and cupcakes. Thank you so much, these are wonderful.
I have this recipe memorized. Have made it hundreds of times! My mother found this in a Detroit Newspaper 50+ yrs ago. We used to put whipped cream on it instead of frosting. It’s a great recipe!
Hello,
Sorry for this question.
Do you mind to provide the ingredients using metric (in gram) ? 🙏
Thank you so much
We use American cups and tablespoons here 🙂 You could try googling a conversion 🙂
Growing up this was always my favorite cake. It is also called Depression cake. No milk, butter or eggs.