Vegan Baking Recipes That Don’t Miss the Butter

Vegan Baking Recipes That Don’t Miss the Butter

(Plant-Based, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free Sweet Treats That Actually Work)

When most people think of baking, images of rich butter, fluffy eggs, and heavy cream usually come to mind. But what if you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or just aiming to cut back on animal products?

Good news: You don’t have to give up indulgent desserts. In fact, vegan baking has evolved far beyond dense loaves and crumbly cookies. Today’s plant-based recipes can rival — and often beat — their dairy-laden counterparts in flavor, texture, and appeal.

In this post, we’re diving deep into vegan baking recipes that ditch the butter and eggs — without sacrificing a crumb of deliciousness.

🥄 The Basics: What Do You Use Instead of Butter and Eggs?

Butter Replacements in Vegan Baking:

• Coconut oil – Great for cookies and cakes, adds richness and a mild coconut flavor.

• Nut butters – Almond, peanut, or cashew butter offer creaminess and flavor.

• Vegan butter – Store-bought and works one-to-one in most traditional recipes.

• Applesauce – Adds moisture and subtle sweetness, ideal for muffins and quick breads.

• Avocado or mashed banana – For fudgy brownies or rich cakes.

Egg Replacements:

• Flaxseed meal + water – 1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg.

• Chia seeds + water – Similar ratio to flax; helps bind.

• Mashed banana or applesauce – For moisture and natural sweetness.

• Aquafaba (chickpea brine) – Whips like egg whites! Excellent for meringue and macarons.

• Baking soda + vinegar – For fluffy cakes and cupcakes (1 tsp baking soda + 1 tbsp vinegar).

🍰 1. Classic Vegan Chocolate Cake

Moist, rich, and deeply chocolatey — no one will believe it’s egg-free and butter-free.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup organic cane sugar

• ⅓ cup cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup almond milk

• ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line or grease a round cake pan.

2. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.

3. In another bowl, mix wet ingredients.

4. Combine both mixtures and stir until smooth.

5. Pour into pan and bake for 30–35 minutes.

6. Cool completely. Frost with vegan ganache or dust with powdered sugar.

🍪 2. Chewy Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Golden edges, soft centers, and that classic chocolatey bite — minus the butter and eggs.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut oil (solid)

• ¾ cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup white sugar

• ¼ cup almond milk

• 1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water (flax egg)

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 ½ cups vegan chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line baking trays.

2. Mix flaxseed meal with water and let sit.

3. Beat coconut oil and sugars until creamy.

4. Add flax egg, vanilla, and almond milk.

5. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt.

6. Fold in chocolate chips.

7. Scoop and bake 10–12 mins.

🍩 3. Fluffy Vegan Donuts

Baked not fried — light, airy, and glazed to perfection.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ½ cup almond milk

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 2 tbsp neutral oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and grease donut pan.

2. Mix almond milk and vinegar. Let curdle (vegan “buttermilk”).

3. Combine dry and wet separately.

4. Mix together and fill donut pan ¾ full.

5. Bake 12–15 minutes.

6. Glaze with icing sugar + almond milk or dip in melted vegan chocolate.

🧁 4. Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes

Light, spongy, and topped with a luscious dairy-free buttercream.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups flour

• ¾ cup sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ¼ tsp salt

• 1 cup soy milk

• ⅓ cup vegetable oil

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line muffin tray.

2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.

3. Combine wet ingredients in another.

4. Mix both together and pour into liners.

5. Bake for 18–20 minutes.

6. Cool, then frost.

Frosting Idea:
Whip vegan butter, icing sugar, vanilla, and plant milk until fluffy.

🥧 5. Vegan Apple Crumble Pie

Crispy golden oat topping meets cinnamon-spiced apple filling — all plant-based.

Ingredients:
For filling:

• 4 cups sliced apples

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

For crumble topping:

• ¾ cup rolled oats

• ¼ cup flour

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup coconut oil (melted)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.

2. Toss apples with filling ingredients and place in baking dish.

3. Mix crumble topping and sprinkle over apples.

4. Bake 35–40 minutes.

5. Serve warm with vegan ice cream.

🍞 6. Banana Bread (Vegan, Moist & Sweet)

No butter. No eggs. All the nostalgia.

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed

• ⅓ cup melted coconut oil

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water

• 1 ½ cups flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• Pinch salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 175°C. Line loaf pan.

2. Mix flax and water, let sit.

3. Mash bananas. Add coconut oil, sugar, vanilla, flax egg.

4. Add dry ingredients.

5. Pour into pan and bake 45–55 mins.

6. Let cool before slicing.

🍫 7. Vegan Brownies (Fudgy & Dense)

No butter? No eggs? Still rich and chewy.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup almond butter

• ½ cup maple syrup

• ¼ cup cocoa powder

• ½ cup almond milk

• ½ cup flour

• 1 tsp vanilla

• Pinch salt

• ½ cup dark chocolate chunks

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

2. Pour into greased square baking pan.

3. Bake at 175°C for 25–28 minutes.

4. Cool, then slice.

🧠 Bonus Tips for Vegan Baking Success

1. Always read labels – Some sugars and chocolates aren’t vegan.

2. Don’t overmix – Vegan batters can become gummy if overworked.

3. Use room temp ingredients – Ensures better texture.

4. Test before you tweak – Start with reliable recipes before swapping ingredients.

5. Invest in quality – Good cocoa, vanilla, and flours elevate vegan baking.

🧾 Pantry Staples for Vegan Bakers

Keep these handy:

• Almond or soy milk

• Coconut oil

• Flaxseed meal

• Maple syrup or agave

• Baking powder/soda

• Vanilla extract

• All-purpose flour

• Vegan chocolate chips

• Nut butters

• Oats and almond flour

💬 Final Thoughts

Vegan baking isn’t about restrictions — it’s about reinvention. These recipes celebrate how plant-based ingredients can yield gorgeous results that don’t compromise on taste or texture. From gooey brownies to buttery-free crumbles, your oven will never know the difference.

Whether you're vegan, curious, or baking for someone who avoids dairy and eggs, these recipes will become your go-to bakes.