Dairy-Free Lemon Coconut Cake Recipe

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups organic cane sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ¼ cups unsweetened almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (to make dairy-free “buttermilk”)
  • ½ cup neutral oil (canola, sunflower, or melted coconut oil)
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the frosting:

  • 1 cup vegan butter (room temperature)
  • 3–4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp coconut cream (scooped from chilled full-fat coconut milk)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: toasted shredded coconut for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make Dairy-Free Buttermilk

  • Mix almond milk and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

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

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

  • Stir in buttermilk, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth but don’t overmix.

Step 5: Bake

  • Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 6: Make the Frosting

  • Beat vegan butter until fluffy.
  • Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with coconut cream.
  • Add vanilla and beat until smooth and creamy.

Step 7: Assemble the Cake

  • Frost one cake layer, stack the second, and cover the entire cake with frosting.
  • Sprinkle with toasted coconut for a beautiful finish.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra lemon flavor: Add ½ tsp lemon extract to the frosting.
  • For a nut-free version: Use soy milk or oat milk instead of almond milk.
  • For cupcakes: Bake 18–20 minutes in a lined muffin tin.

Result

A light, fluffy, and citrusy dairy-free lemon coconut cake that tastes like sunshine on a plate — perfect for birthdays, brunches, or any special gathering. 🍋🥥✨