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

Last updated - ; Published - By Rhian Williams 169 Comments

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This Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Cake isfresh and fruity,full of strawberry flavour andnaturally coloured! It's perfect for birthdays, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, baby showers and bridal showers, and everything in between!

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

I thought it was time for a Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Cake - and unlike this Strawberry Sponge Layer Cake, I wanted to make a proper Strawberry Cake. Think moist, fluffy, strawberry-infused sponge slathered in lashings of creamy, strawberry-infused frosting.

How do you make naturally coloured and naturally flavoured Strawberry Cake?

How can you bake a cake with a strong strawberry flavour without using an artificial flavouring or strawberry jam?

I decided to blend up fresh strawberries to create a gorgeous strawberry purée - it's fresh, packed full of natural strawberry flavour, and has the most incredible colour!

To create a pretty pink 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 downto the bottom of the post for the full recipe.

Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Cake - Rhian's Recipes (2)
Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Cake - Rhian's Recipes (3)

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

  • Bake in the oven for15 minutes.

Tip: Transfer onto a cooling rackandleave to cool completely before applying the frosting.

Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Cake - Rhian's Recipes (4)

How to make the strawberry frosting

Another important component of this Strawberry Cake is the frosting - it's thick, rich and creamy, and packed full of strawberry flavour. I did think adding fresh strawberry purée to the frosting would create too much excess liquid, so I decided to use strawberry jam.

Tip:To make this refined sugar free, use a refined sugar free strawberry jam such as this one.

  • Mix the coconut cream with strawberry jam and use anelectric whiskto whip until fluffy.
Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Cake - Rhian's Recipes (5)
Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Cake - Rhian's Recipes (6)

How to decorate

  • Fresh berries:strawberries, raspberries, blueberries etc.
  • Freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries.
  • Fresh mint.

How long does this keep for?

This Strawberry Cake tastes best eaten on the day it's made, but it keeps covered in the fridge for up to a few 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 the ground almonds (almond meal/almond flour) with ground walnuts.
  • For a refined sugar free version, use a refined sugar free strawberry jam.
  • For a nut-free version: replace the ground almonds (almond meal/almond flour) with ground sunflower seeds.
  • You can use plain flourinstead of the gluten-free flour if you’re not gluten-free.
  • You can replace the strawberries with blueberries, peaches or mango.
  • You can use fresh or frozen strawberries - just make sure to defrost frozen ones and get rid of any excess water.
Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Cake - Rhian's Recipes (7)

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
  • Red Velvet Cake
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake
  • Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake
  • Lemon Pound 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.

Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Cake - Rhian's Recipes (8)

Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Cake

This Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Cake is fresh and fruity, full of strawberry flavour and naturally coloured!

4.36 from 142 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: gluten-free strawberry cake, gluten-free vegan cake, vegan strawberry cake

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 414kcal

Author: Rhian Williams

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 300 g (10.5 oz) fresh strawberries , hulled
  • 60 g (¼ cup) coconut oil (or sub olive or vegetable oil)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 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)
  • ½ teaspoon beetroot powder (optional - to add red colour)

For the frosting:

  • 400 g (14 oz) tin of full-fat coconut milk **
  • Pinch beetroot powder (optional - to add red colour)
  • 3 tablespoons strawberry jam (ensure refined sugar free if necessary)

Instructions

For the cake:

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

  • Use a food processor, blender or hand-held stick blender to whizz the strawberries until completely smooth - you should end up with around 250ml (1 cup) strawberry purée.

  • 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 strawberry purée to the same bowl along with the lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla, salt and ground almonds.

  • Sift in the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda (and beetroot powder if using).

  • Mix well, adding a tiny splash of any plant-based milk if it's looking too dry.

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

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

  • Once out the oven, immediately remove cakes from baking tins and transfer onto a wire rack to cool.

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 beetroot powder (if using).

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

  • Add the strawberry jam and carefully mix it in.

To decorate:

  • Once the sponges have cooled completely, place one sponge on a large plate or cake stand, and cover with half of the frosting.

  • Place other sponge on top and use the remaining frosting to cover the top.

  • Best when fresh, but keeps well covered in the fridge for up to a few days.

Notes

*You can alternatively usealmond flour.

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

You can replace the strawberries with blueberries, peaches or mango.

You can use fresh or frozen strawberries - just make sure to defrost frozen ones and get rid of any excess water.

Nutrition Facts

Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Cake

Amount Per Serving

Calories 414Calories from Fat 252

% Daily Value*

Fat 28g43%

Saturated Fat 17g85%

Sodium 46mg2%

Potassium 243mg7%

Carbohydrates 39g13%

Fiber 5g20%

Sugar 19g21%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin C 25mg30%

Calcium 100mg10%

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. Kyla

    Hi Rhian, I love all your cake recipes! I’ve made this strawberry cake before and it is fantastic. I’m baking for a birthday party with a guest with a nut allergy - I’ve seen you note on other recipes that almond flour can be substituted for a fifth volume of coconut flour. Do you think this would work for this recipe too? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Rhian Williams

      Thank you so much! Yes, for this recipe too you can replace the almond flour with a fifth of the amount coconut flour. I hope that helps!

  2. Jennifer

    Is Almond meal Necessary? We can't do nuts here. I have a grain free flour blend do you think that would work?

    Reply

    • Rhian Williams

      Hello! No, unfortunately that won't work, but you can replace it with the same quantity of ground walnuts or ground sunflower seeds, or a fifth of the amount coconut flour. Hope that helps!

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

FAQs

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.

How do you keep gluten free cake moist? ›

Add extra liquid: Gluten-free flours tend to absorb more liquid than regular flour, so you may need to add more liquid to your recipes to compensate. This can help to keep your baked goods moist and prevent them from becoming dry and crumbly.

Is gluten free cake more crumbly? ›

Some gluten free flours will produce a cake which is on the dry side. This might be due to the lack of gluten but can be for many other reasons. Lots of gluten free flour is rice based and this can result in a dry and slightly gritty texture.

Are gluten free cakes better? ›

Regular cakes have more flavor than vegan and gluten-free alternatives, usually down to the ingredients used in preparing the cakes. Regularly use flours and dairy-based products that tend to bring the best flavors. But recent improvements in gluten-free and vegan baking have closed the flavor gap.

Should I let my gluten free cake batter rest before baking? ›

Let Your Batters & Doughs Rest

We recommend covering your batters and doughs and letting them rest for at least half an hour. Note: This will also help batters become thicker and doughs to firm up.

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.

What is the secret to moist gluten-free baking? ›

Moisture – for some reason gluten-free cakes tend to get a little dry. Any gluten-free cake will dry out super-fast and get hard on the outside if it's not properly refrigerated and covered. I swear by always using buttermilk and adding a little more fat into the batter to compensate for the dryness.

Which gluten free flour is best for cakes? ›

Oat Flour. With its creamy, earthy flavor and delicate texture, gluten-free oat flour is a staple of my gluten-free baking recipes. It bakes up soft and smooth, adding necessary starch to many GF baked goods and keeping them moist and tender due to its high fat content and stable protein structure.

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.

What are the tips for baking a gluten-free cake? ›

Understanding Gluten Free Baking
  1. Add Extra Liquid. Gluten free flours tend to absorb more moisture than traditional wheat flour, which can result in dry and crumbly baked goods. ...
  2. Mix it Thoroughly. ...
  3. Let the Batter Rest. ...
  4. Adjust Bake Times. ...
  5. Avoid Sticking. ...
  6. Let Baked Goods Cool. ...
  7. Freeze Your Treats for Later.

How do you know when a gluten-free cake is done? ›

Ultimately, the toothpick test is just one data source to rely upon: with the trio—toothpick, edges, & centre—you can reliably know your gluten-free baked goods are, well, baked! If your toothpick comes out with wet batter on it, your cake definitely needs more time.

Do gluten free cakes need to bake longer? ›

Gluten-free goods tend to brown faster and take longer to cook through. So they need to be baked at a slightly lower temperature, for a slightly longer time. Every recipe is different, but in general, try lowering the temperature by 25 degrees and baking the item for 15 minutes longer.

Why do gluten-free cakes not rise? ›

YOUR CAKE IS SINKING IN THE MIDDLE OR NOT RISING

You may not have used enough raising agents. I do recommend experimenting with double action baking powders. Otherwise try using 25 percent more chemical raising agents (baking soda or baking powder) if you're converting a recipe to gluten free.

Why does my gluten free cake fall? ›

It's very common for gluten free baked goods to sink in the middle and sometimes it's even gummy or looks like it isn't fully cooked. Here's some ways to help avoid that: -Don't over-mix your dough. Mix it until everything is just incorporated and be done.

Is vegan cake healthier than regular cake? ›

So, vegan cakes are generally healthier because they: don't contain cholesterol. are mostly lower in saturated fat (unless they contain a lot of palm or coconut oil) are made without eggs and dairy, so they're generally lower in total fat and calories.

What causes gummy cakes? ›

However, developing gluten past its ideal point makes cake tough, and may also cause it to rise too vigorously and then fall as it bakes, resulting in gummy streaks in its texture.

Why is my gluten free dough gummy? ›

The dough might have been left to ferment for too long. 2. Insufficient hydration in the dough could also be a factor. If the gluten-free sourdough is not hydrated enough, it may result in a dense and gummy texture instead of a well-developed crumb.

Why is my gluten free bread gummy? ›

Gummy on the inside- bake for a longer time. Gluten free bread takes much longer than a regular loaf to bake and therefore a sticky crumb is generally the result of under baking. It is easy to see why this can happen, gluten free bread dough needs more moisture and is often difficult to knead with conventional methods.

How to fix a gummy cake? ›

Trimming Troubles: If the cake is only slightly gummy, consider trimming off the outer layer to remove any overly dense or undercooked portions. Moisture Management: Brush the trimmed cake with a simple syrup or flavored liquid to add moisture and enhance the cake's tenderness.

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