Go Back
+ servings
square featured image of a piece of cake
Print Recipe
5 stars (56 ratings)

Vegan Chocolate Sheet Cake

This is the most amazing vegan chocolate sheet cake! Fluffy, moist chocolate cake is baked in a half sheet pan and topped with an amazing buttery sweet icing. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, if desired.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 397kcal
Author: Nora Taylor

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 cup soy milk (or other non-dairy milk)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup canola oil (or melted coconut oil)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

Frosting

Optional

  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease an 11 x 17 inch sheet pan.
  • Measure 1 cup soy milk and add the tablespoon of vinegar to it. Stir slightly and set aside to curdle.
  • In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk well to combine.
  • To the bowl with the dry ingredients, pour in the milk/vinegar mixture, oil, applesauce and vanilla. With a hand mixer (you can skip the mixer and use a large spoon if you need to), mix on medium speed until well combined.
  • Carefully add the cup of boiling hot water, and mix on low speed until combined. The batter will seem runny, but that is right. It is what makes this cake extra moist and delicious.
  • Pour the cake batter into the prepared sheet pan, and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and make the frosting.
  • When the cake is done baking, make the frosting: In a medium pot, add the vegan butter, cocoa, soy milk and vanilla. Warm over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter has melted and the mixture comes to a simmer. Immediately remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar, gradually, until the frosting is smooth.
  • Pour the warm frosting over the still warm cake, spreading evenly with a spatula or spoon. Sprinkle with optional nuts, if using.
  • Let the cake and frosting cool for at least 30 minutes if possible before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. Gluten Free: This works pretty well with a gluten free flour mix, such as Bob's 1:1 Baking Flour, but do not try to sub almond flour, it will not work.
  2. While I love the cooked smooth frosting for sheet cake, you can also use the chocolate frosting from my vegan chocolate cake recipe if you'd like.
  3. This sheet cake is best made in an 11 by 17 inch sheet pan(or 12 x 18) but it can be made in a 9 by 13 inch cake pan if needed for a thicker cake. It will need 35-45 minutes to bake though.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 397kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 307mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 347IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg