Dairy-Free Classic Birthday Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Icing

Celebrate every special occasion with this Dairy-Free Classic Birthday Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Icing, a delightful twist on the timeless favorite! Perfectly fluffy and moist, this cake features a rich, vanilla-infused almond milk batter, activated with a touch of apple cider vinegar for ultra-tender layers. The dairy-free buttercream icing brings a luscious, creamy sweetness, whipped to perfection with powdered sugar and a hint of vanilla. Whether you're catering to dietary needs or simply looking for a light, dairy-free dessert, this easy-to-make recipe is a crowd-pleaser that doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture. Ideal for decorating, this versatile cake is the blank canvas for your most festive birthday designs! With simple pantry staples and a total prep and cook time under 90 minutes, it’s the perfect go-to for a dairy-free celebration.

Nutriscore Rating: 42/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 2.5 teaspoons Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons Baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 1.25 cups Unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 0.75 cups Vegetable oil
• 1.5 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 0.75 cups Dairy-free margarine
• 3.5 cups Powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract for icing
• 2 tablespoons Almond milk for icing

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3

In another bowl, combine the granulated sugar, almond milk, and apple cider vinegar. Let sit for a minute to activate the vinegar.

Step 4

Add the vegetable oil and vanilla extract to the milk mixture, whisking until well combined.

Step 5

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing with a spatula until just combined and smooth.

Step 6

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

Step 8

Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9

For the buttercream icing, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the dairy-free margarine until smooth.

Step 10

Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth and creamy.

Step 11

Add the vanilla extract and almond milk to the mixture, beating on high until light and fluffy.

Step 12

Once the cakes are completely cool, place one cake layer on a serving platter and spread a layer of icing on top.

Step 13

Place the second layer on top and apply a thin layer of icing all over the cake, also known as the crumb coat.

Step 14

Chill the cake in the fridge for about 20 minutes to set the crumb coat.

Step 15

Remove from the fridge and apply the final layer of icing, smoothing it around the sides and top of the cake.

Step 16

Decorate as desired and enjoy your dairy-free classic birthday cake!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1742.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6576.0

Total Fat 303.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 48.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 101.6g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4292.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 956.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.5g	0%
Total Sugars 712.7g
Protein 33.0g	0%

Vitamin D 122.3IU	0%
Calcium 630.8mg	0%
Iron 15.3mg	0%
Potassium 481.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.8%

Protein: 2.0%

Carbs: 57.2%