Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Cake with Whipped Lemon Buttercream

By Kirsten Maxwell March 24, 2023 27 mins read 107 Views

This fluffy and light Vegan Lemon Poppyseed cake is simple to make, and it's full of fresh lemon flavors. It's the perfect dessert to enjoy in spring and summer, topped with homemade Whipped Lemon Buttercream.

Vegan desserts are my favorite, but I'm not able to resist lemon desserts. The bright, vibrant flavors of vegan lemon cakes, lemon loaves, and lemon blueberry bread are irresistible to me.

The Vegan Lemon Poppyseed cake is no exception. This cake is moist and fluffy with lots of lemony flavor. This crowd-pleasing cake is studded with poppyseeds and is perfect for welcoming the warm, sunny weather of spring or summer.

This one-bowl cake can be made even more delicious by adding whipped lemon buttercream to it. It is creamy and bright, and adds the perfect finishing touch to every bite.

Ingredients required (with substitutions).

Soymilk - Vegan buttermilk is best made with soy milk. It's richer and more curdly than oat milk. Almond milk is a good alternative to soy milk. Coconut milk is not suitable.
Apple cider vinegar - To give the cake a moist crumb, vegan buttermilk is used. It's made with soy milk and vinegar. Lemon juice or white vinegar can be substituted for apple cider vinegar if you don't have it.
Vegan butter You will need vegan butter to moisten the cake as well as make the lemon buttercream.
Canola oil - A neutral vegetable oil will also work.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is the best, but cane sugar and coconut sugar are also good options.
Lemon zest - Freshly grated lemon juice adds a wonderful brightness and unmistakable zesty flavor to lemon cake and buttercream. Don't skip it!
Lemon extract Adding just 1 teaspoon of lemon extract to the buttercream and cake gives it its signature lemon flavor. However, the cake will not be as lemony if you use 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
Vanilla extract
Cake flour - This is how you make a lemon cake that's soft and fluffy. All purpose flour can be used as an alternative but it won't produce the same fluffy and light results. You don't have cake flour at your home. Mix 3 cups all-purpose flour and 6 tablespoons cornstarch together to make your own.
Baking powder
Salt
Poppyseeds Some recipes require that you soak the poppyseeds for a while before baking. However, this is not a mandatory step. To make a lemon cake, you can also leave out the poppyseeds.
Powdered Sugar - To make the icing.

How to make vegan lemon poppyseed cakes

The complete recipe and measurements are below.

Make vegan buttermilk by first measuring the soy milk into a glass measuring cup. The apple cider vinegar should be added to the mixture. Allow it to curdle.

Use an electric mixer to beat the vegan butter, oil, sugar, and lemon zest in a bowl until it becomes light and fluffy. Next, add the vanilla extract, lemon extract, as well as lemon zest.

Add the flour, baking powder and salt to the bowl. Mix well before adding the soy milk/vinegar mix. Mix everything until it is well combined.

Bake the batter in a pan until it comes out clean with a toothpick. Allow it to cool completely before you start frosting.

Use an electric mixer to beat the vegan butter until it is creamy. Mix in the powdered sugar and lemon zest. Add the vanilla extract, lemon extract, and soymilk. Beat again until frosting is fluffy.

Place the lemon buttercream on top of the cooled cake in a thick layer. Slice the cake and serve.

Tips and Tricks

Do not overmix the batter. Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients only until they are well combined. No dry flour streaks will remain.
You can also use vegan buttercream or vegan swiss buttercream to top your cake.
You can leave the cake alone or decorate it with candied lemon slices or sliced almonds or more lemon zest.

Questions frequently asked

Is this recipe suitable for making lemon poppyseed cupcakes using the same recipe?

Sure! Bake the batter in a muffin pan lined with parchment paper for 22-25 minutes. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before you pipe the frosting on top. To pipe the frosting on cupcakes perfectly, follow my Vegan Buttercream recipe.

Instead of poppyseed muffins, try these. You might like my Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Muffins.

How can I make this layer cake?

Instead, pour the batter into two 8-inch round cake pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. After the layers of cake are cool, spread some lemon buttercream over the top, then top it off with the second layer. Finally, cover the sides and tops with the remaining icing.

How long will it last?

Iced cakes can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for up to five days. The whole cake can be stored in a covered pan, or individual slices can be kept in airtight containers.

Can you freeze it?

Yes, you can store unfrosted lemon cakes in the freezer up to three months.

Are you looking for more vegan cakes recipes?

Best Vegan Banana Cake
Vegan Chocolate Sheet Cake
Peanut Butter Cake
Vegan Funfetti Cake

Lemon Poppyseed Cake Vegan with Whipped Lemon Buttercream

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep time 25 minutes

Cook Time 40 Minutes

Total Time 1 hour and 5 minutes

Servings 16 HTML4_ HTML5_ HTML5_ HTML6_ HTML7_ HTML8_ HTML9_

Calories 468 kcal

Author Nora Taylor

Ingredients

Poppyseed Cake

1 1/2 cups unsweetened soy milk
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
1/2 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons fresh grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups cake flour*
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons poppyseeds

Buttercream made with whipped lemon

1 cup vegan butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon fresh grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2-4 tablespoons unsweetened soy milk

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Bake the cake

Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch cake pan with parchment paper. Or, grease it well.
Measure your soy milk in a glass measuring cup. Next, add the apple cider vinegar. Allow it to sit for a while to curdle. This is your vegan buttermilk span>
Use a handheld mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment to beat the vegan butter, oil, and sugar in a large bowl until they are light and fluffy. Beat for about 1-2 minutes. Mix in the vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon zest.
Add the flour to the bowl. Sprinkle the baking powder, salt, and poppyseeds over the flour. Mix on low speed and gradually add the milk/vinegar. Scrape down the bowl's bottom and sides as necessary. Mix well, but don't overmix
Bake the batter in the prepared pan for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Before frosting, let the cake cool completely in its pan.

Make the buttercream and frost it.

Use a stand mixer or handheld to beat the vegan butter softened on medium speed until it becomes creamy
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl. Start beating on low speed, then increase the speed to medium-high. Mix for 3-4 minutes until the frosting is fluffy and soft. You can add more soy milk if the frosting is too thick. You can add some powdered sugar to make it thinner. It should be fluffy!
Spread the frosting on top of the cooled cake in a thick and swirly layer.
Slice the cake, then serve! Cover the cake with plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for about 4-5 days.

Notes

You can substitute soy with another plant milk. Almond, cashew and oat milk are all good options. Coconut milk is not a good choice.
For the best crumb, use cake flour. All purpose flour can be substituted if necessary, but the cake will not be as light and fluffy. All-purpose flour that is gluten free may work but I haven’t tried it.

Nutrition

Calories: 468kcal

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases by eating a plant-based diet?

Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular due to their many environmental and health benefits. It is a diet that consists primarily of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The benefits of a plant-based lifestyle include better heart health, improved digestion, energy levels and reduced stress hormones. Plant-based diets can be supplemented with excellent plant-based protein sources.

Are plant-based diets less expensive than other diets.

Plant-based diets may not necessarily be more expensive than other diets. You can eat a balanced plant-based diet with minimal expense, depending on what type of food you eat. Rice, beans, eggs, nuts, potatoes and other vegetables can all be inexpensive and provide excellent protein sources at lower prices. Proper meal planning can help you cut down on food costs. Not only can you save money on individual ingredients but there are also many ready-to-eat, plant-based meals available that can help reduce grocery costs.

Are there any athletes or celebrities who advocate a plant-based lifestyle?

Yes, celebrities and athletes are big supporters of a plant based diet. Some of these include Kyrie, the NBA's player, Lewis Hamilton, the Formula 1 World Champion, Natalie Portman and Kenneth Farrow who are all NFL running backs. Each of these people have chosen the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle to suit their goals and achieved remarkable results in their athletic endeavors or artistic endeavors. Actress Alicia Silverstone wrote a book called Kind Diet about her experience with veganism. Professional tennis player Novak Djokovic has credited his career successes to his unconventional habit of eating primarily organic vegan foods during competitions; his stats have drastically improved since he adopted this regimen. These four professional athletes share some remarkable qualities. They all mention a higher energy level, faster recovery from injury, and better overall health. This success story shows that plant-based nutrition can be a great tool to help athletes achieve greater athleticism.

How can you replace meat with a plant-based diet

Innovative vegan substitutes are available to replace meat in a plant based diet. Tofu (wheat gluten), seitan (wheat protein), tempeh, fermented soybeans, and mock duck made of mushrooms can all be substituted for traditional meats. Vegetarian burgers made from black beans and quinoa can also be as good as beef burgers. Additionally, coconut bacon strips or eggplant bacon bits; tofu mayo; veggie hot dogs made with seasoned textured soy protein; and faux chicken strips from wheat gluten offer tasty alternatives that do not require animal products. Recipes can also be modified to rely on vegetables, grains, nuts, beans, seeds, vegetables, and fruits as sources of nutrients and flavor. There are many other ways to enjoy plant based meals, including roasting, baking, and steaming.

What can I eat instead of meat for protein?

Protein is an essential component of a healthy diet and can be found in animal- and plant-based sources. Plant-based proteins include legumes (nuts and seeds), beans, lentils (wheat gluten), seitan (wheat flour), and hemp seeds. High levels of antioxidants in many vegetables and fruits can help reduce inflammation. Some dairy substitutes, such as almond or oat milk, are fortified with proteins, making a great plant-based alternative to cow's milk. Pumpkin seeds and nutritional yeast, which are both plant-based alternatives to cow's milk, can add a cheesy flavor while also providing more micronutrients that their animal-based counterparts. Vegan protein powders for smoothies and shakes are great options for adding nutrition without having to eat animal products.

Can I eat meat while following a plant-based diet

While plant-based diets don't allow for meat, fish or poultry, some food items can be made with limited animal products. For instance, some people on a plant-based diet still consume dairy or eggs in moderation. People who want to switch to a plant-based diet with more flavor and protein can find many options. Plant-based diets include fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes and lentils, whole grains like oatmeal and rice, as well as soybeans and lentils.

You can find vegan products at most grocery stores, in addition to vegan restaurants that specialize in vegan food. Soy-based meats such as tofu, seitan (wheat gluten), tempeh (fermented soybeans), and mock duck made from mushrooms can all mimic the flavor and texture of traditional meat dishes. You can get a vegetarian burger made from black beans and quinoa, which are very similar to beef burgers.

People who prefer plant-based meals to their carnivorous favourites will find many alternatives. Some vegan substitutes include coconut bacon strips or eggplant bacon bits; tofu mayo; veggie hot dogs made with seasoned textured soy protein; and faux chicken strips from wheat gluten--all delicious. Furthermore, while some processed forms of fermented fungi, like mushrooms, taste like something similar to steak or pork when cooked properly, they can have similar sensory properties as meat but with significantly less environmental impact due to their far lower water use when compared with livestock production. The best part about switching to a plantbased diet is that meat that was once consumed can be replaced by these alternatives.

Can children eat a plant-based food?

Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular among adults due to their numerous health benefits. Parents may be concerned about whether a plant-based diet can be safe for their children. The answer is yes, children can follow a plant-based diet if it is well-planned and meets their nutritional needs.

All the nutrients that children require to grow and develop can be found in plant-based diets. However, children need to be able to get sufficient iron, calcium (vitamin D), vitamin B12, and protein. Protein is essential for growth and development, and good plant-based protein sources include beans, lentils, tofu, and nuts. Fortified cereals and leafy greens contain iron, which is essential for healthy blood cells. Fortified plant milk and calcium-set tofu are good sources of calcium. Vitamin D is critical for bone health. It can also be obtained from sunlight exposure and fortified cow milk. Vitamin B12, an essential component of healthy nerves and blood vessels, is usually only found in animal products. Children who eat a plant-based diet might need to take a vitamin B12 supplement.

Children who are on a plant-based diet must consume enough calories for their energy needs. Whole foods should include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Children may require more frequent meals or larger amounts to meet their energy demands.

To ensure that your child's diet is healthy, it is a good idea to consult with a registered dietitian. They can also help with meal planning and supplementation as well as determining the best portion sizes for their child.

A well-planned, plant-based diet can be safely followed by children. With proper planning and guidance from a registered dietitian or healthcare professional, parents can ensure that their children eat a nutritious and healthy plant-based diet.

Statistics

Another found that following a diet rich in plant foods and lower in animal foods was associated with a 16 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 31 to 32 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. (everydayhealth.com)
According to research published, going plant-based can cut grocery bills by $750 a year per person, Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. (forksoverknives.com)

External Links

How To

How do you make plant-based meals that are both delicious and filling?

You can cook plant-based meals that taste delicious and filling with the right ingredients and creative recipes. Start by buying fresh produce and other high-quality ingredients. Next, create a grocery shopping list that is based on the recipes you intend to make. You can also shop at local farmers' markets or health food stores. Also, make sure to invest in proper storage equipment to keep your prepared food fresh.

Next, when it comes to meal prepping, focus on variety: emphasize whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes - aiming for different colors of produce for better nutrition. In each meal, it is important to consider the balance of fiber and protein as well as healthy fats. You can also make batch cooking easier by using kitchen appliances such slow cookers or multi-cookers.

To get creative in the kitchen while sticking to a vegan diet - consider various flavor profiles as an experiment; adding spices like cayenne pepper or chili powder can elevate dishes while still being healthy. Whole foods can transform bland plant-based meals into delicious, flavorful meals in minutes. You can use beans instead of "meats" and roasted butternut squash as an alternative to french fries. If all else fails you can mix leftovers from earlier in week to create something new.

With these tips, anyone can enjoy a delicious and nutritious plant-based diet without sacrificing taste or fullness.