Sometimes you want to push the boat out, say for a birthday cake. But rather than buy a plastic-wrapped cake in stores made with animal ingredients, palm oil and refined sugar, why not make your own? Also read vegan baking recipe books.
This vegan vanilla birthday cake (Desserts for Two) is unique in that it feeds just two people, so no food waste, and ideal for small servings. The recipe also has simple instructions to scale-up the recipe, if you are serving more people.
If used, choose palm-oil-free vegan butter. Avoid choking hazards (nuts, cherries etc) for young children, and keep recipes away from pets due to unsafe ingredients (chocolate, caffeine, citrus, nutmeg, dried fruits, fresh dough etc). Read more on keeping people & pets safe in the kitchen.
One area also to be aware of these days is what you bake with. Green bakers are moving away from non-stick Teflon sheets, aluminium foil and chemical-coated baking paper, and instead using reusable silicone baking sheets and cupcake trays, which last for years, then are easily recycled.
This vegan funfetti cake (Crowded Kitchen) has three layers, with a vanilla buttercream (made with organic powdered sugar to avoid eggs). The cake uses vegan butter and applesauce, to help retain moisture.
Sprinkles (aka hundreds and thousands) are usually made with dead red insects, beeswax or chemicals. This post has a good overview of the best natural brands and recipes. Or leave them out.
Vegan Fairy Cakes (The Veg Space) are very simple to make mini sponge cakes, topped with icing and vegan sprinkles.
