Vegan Victoria Sponge!
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A delicious two-layer vegan Victoria sponge with vanilla buttercream frosting, strawberry jam and more!
Veganuary!
Oh hey January, it’s been a while… obviously. It honestly doesn’t feel like it should be January already?! I still feel like it should be about September time, definitely not January, and a new decade.. but here we are!
And as most of you know by now, January = Veganuary. It’s a month dedicated to encouraging a vegan lifestyle and diet, and I thought I would treat you guys to a classic, turned vegan. And in genuine honesty, I LOVE THIS RECIPE.
Vegan Victoria sponge
Something about this cake… It’s so soft, so delicious, and so good. Genuinely think it’s just as good as the original non-vegan version, and that’s saying something. I will say before anyone comes for me for calling it a vegan Victoria sponge and not using a classic ‘fresh cream filling’ that 1) you can’t as it’s vegan, and also… I don’t care.
The amount of vanilla/Victoria style cakes that are called a Victoria sponge that have a different middle is so broad, that I will call is a Victoria sponge. It means you know what you are getting – a vanilla sponge, vanilla centre, and jam/fresh fruit.
I based this recipe on my vegan vanilla cupcakes and my vegan Biscoff cupcakes as I just love them. They are obviously different as this needed to be increased to get the right sizing, and to suit a sponge rather than cupcakes.
Alternative milk
I tend to use almond milk in my vegan baking as it’s my personal favourite amongst the dairy free milks – but you can use any. I generally tend to avoid Soya as it’s my least favourite by far – but it’s up to you. It won’t affect the bake too much, but I would also say coconut milk could potentially bake weirdly.
Sugar
There was a slight change in the recipes here – I found that if I used all caster sugar, the colour of the sponge was vary pale and anaemic and not that pleasant – so I tried using half caster and half light brown sugar, and it produced a lovely looking sponge. With something like a Victoria sponge you want it too look decent from the outside!
Vanilla
I use my favourite Nielsen Massey vanilla as it’s the only one I will EVER use – and I recommend using it down to the ground. Extract, paste and pods are the ones you should try to use – essence is rarely actually vanilla so I avoid it at all costs!
Oil and vinegar
For the oil, I use vegetable oil as I generally have it around. I find it much cheaper than coconut oil, and it works so beautifully in this bake. Also, I use white wine vinegar as it’s my favourite – but you can easily use apple cider vinegar! Both work wonderfully. Generally though, any white vinegar will work!
Buttercream
For the buttercream, it’s an obvious thing to say… but make sure you use dairy free/vegan butter. You just need to remember that dairy free butter tends to be softer, so can be slightly slacker in general.
Jam
For the jam, just make sure it’s vegan friendly – most should be but there are some curveball products out there. Randomly you’ll come across something with gelatine in, and it’s weird!
Decoration
For the decoration though, you can easily just use fresh fruit if you prefer – like I used for the decoration! The freeze dried raspberries always look very cute though!
Top tips!
And one last thing… when making it, DO NOT OVER MIX IT. The mixture needs barely any mixing, so I use a bowl and a spatula. Also, keep an eye on it when baking. The skewer will come out clean when baking – but cooling in the tin helps the sponge not break apart as it’s so soft! I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! Enjoy! x
Vegan Victoria Sponge!
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 450 g self raising flour
- 150 g light brown sugar
- 150 g caster sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 400 ml dairy free milk (I use Almond)
- 175 ml vegetable oil
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
For the Decoration
- 150 g dairy free/vegan butter
- 350 g icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Jam
- Strawberries
- Freeze dried raspberries
Instructions
For the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 180C/160C fan and line two 8"/20cm cake tins with parchment paper!
- In a large bowl, add your flour, sugars, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder and mix until it's all mixed together evenly.
- Add to the bowl your dairy free milk, vegetable oil, vanilla and white wine vinegar.
- Mix as little as possible, until combined.
- Split evenly between the two tins and bake for 35-45 minutes. I check from 35 minutes onwards!
- Once baked, leave to cool fully in the tins.
For the Decoration
- Beat your butter on it's own to make it lovely and smooth.
- Add in your icing sugar and vanilla and beat again until combined, lovely and fluffy. I use my mixer with the paddle attachment!
- Get your first sponge, and spread over half of the buttercream.
- Add on a few tablespoons of jam and spread.
- Add on the second sponge, and spread on the rest of the buttercream.
- Decorate how you fancy - I used fresh fruit and freeze dried raspberries! Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe is based on my vegan vanilla cupcakes and vegan Biscoff cupcakes recipes!
- I used baking powder and bicarbonate in the cake sponges (and not in the cupcakes) as I felt it baked much better for the larger sponge size - I don't think the cupcakes need it though.
- I used Tate & Lyle icing sugar which is a vegan icing sugar.
- This cake is very soft - and will last for at least three days!
- If your sponge turns out rubbery, it's most likely over mixed. I personally have never experienced this!
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J x
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Hi – can you help me with this recipe measurements for a 6 inch cake and also baking time please?
Does this have to be vegetable oil? Can I use sunflower oil? About to do a trial run for my daughters birthday cake!! Thanks
Yes, you can use sunflower oil!!
I made this as a lemon cake, using lemon essence, lemon zest and a lemon buttercream, The cake was a 9 inch three layer with a 6 inch three layer on top. It not only held up well structurally, it stayed fresh and moist ( I baked a couple ahead of time to test) for at least five days with the icing on. It was delicious and looked great too. I doubled the recipe for four 9 inch layers, and used it as is for four 6 inch layers, which still took 35 minutes to bake, just in case anyone wants to bake this size. This gave me an extra layer of each size just in case I had any mishaps stacking them, which luckily I didn’t. I baked and crumb coated two days ahead of the party and finished decorating the day before, storing in the fridge overnight. It was fabulous, thanks for the recipe!
Hi, I needed a Vegan lemon sponge recipe but could not find one that tasted and looked good! I came across Jane’s Patisserie Vegan Victoria Sponge and adapted the recipe slightly. I used golden caster sugar & light brown sugar, added lemon juice & rind instead of vanilla extract and used Jane’s lemon butter cream to cover the cake. The cake came out a lovely golden colour and was utterly delicious, light and moist! I definitely recommend this recipe. Thank you for sharing it. I will be trying the Red Velvet cake this weekend!!!
My daughter just has an egg allergy so looking at making this recipe.
Could I use dairy milk or will that change the texture of the cake too much?
You can definitely still use dairy milk! x
What is the best way to store the finished cake please? Thank you
Room temp, in a cake box!! x
Hello JanePatisserie,
I want to thank u for this wonderful recipe. Discovered you yesterday and cake was baked this morning and trialed today very successfully. I have lots of allergies and am thus on a restricted diet, this cake pleasantly surprised everyone. It is going to stay in my absolute favorites.
Thank u again
Thank you, looking forward to trying this. Can I substitute the dairy free milk with buttermilk instead? If so, what quantities?
Thank you, looking forward to trying this. Can I substitute the dairy free milk for buttermilk? If yes, what quantities?
Hi Jane, would it would if I add some sugar flair food colouring into the mix to make red and green sponges?
Made this for my partner who is allergic to eggs, and it was the best sponge cake recipe we’ve had! Usually the texture of vegan cakes can be hit or miss, but this will be my next go-to 🥰 thank you for sharing
Hi Jane,
If I want to add chocolate chips to the sponge is that ok to do? And if so how much would you say?
Thanks x
Unfortunately not, anything added will sink!
Hi Jane. This recipe looks great, going to try it for my egg/dairy allergy kids birthday.
Would this recipe survive a full buttercream, celebration style decoration?
I’m thinking I’ll be baking it 6inch and stacking 4-5 layers.
Can add internal supports if needed
Thanks in advance.
Hi, how did you get on with this? I’m hoping to make a three tiered version with icing around the edges x
I’m looking to make this for my daughter to take into nursery for her wee birthday party , however I was hoping I could make it as a sheet cake or even just a different shape so it’s easier to cut for the kids. Would it still work the same ?
Absolutely delicious, so light and moist – made for my daughter’s 17th and she loved it, which is saying something as Victoria Sponge is her favourite. Used homemade vegan butter too – won’t add turmeric next time as it made the buttercream yellow too 😂
Thank you for sharing your recipe! Would apple cider vinegar be ok instead of white? Would, vegan butter (Naturli) work instead of the oil? If not, or unknown, I’ll err on the side of caution and follow your instructions religiously! Looking forward to trying this. It would be amazing to make a successful vegan cake! Thanks again!