Name: Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup Gluten-Free Measure-For-Measure Flour (150 grams); 1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (40 grams); 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt; 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder; 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1 cup Granulated Sugar (200 grams); 1 Tablespoon Fresh Orange Zest (from about 1 large orange); 1 1/4 cup Almond Milk, Warmed (or your favorite dairy-free milk); 1/3 cup Coconut Oil, melted and cooled slightly; 1 Tablespoon White Vinegar; 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract; 1 cup Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Chips (Or Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips); 1/2 cup Full-Fat Canned Coconut Milk (can substitute 1/4-1/2 cup other non-dairy milk); 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil; 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Orange Zest (optional, for extra flavor)

There’s something just magical about the combination of rich chocolate and zesty orange—you can almost smell the fresh citrus as you bite into it. This Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe strikes that perfect balance, delivering a tender, fudgy cake that’s also naturally gluten-free. It’s one of those desserts that feels special but is surprisingly easy to whip up.

The image shows a slice of rich dark chocolate cake with a thick layer of smooth, shiny dark chocolate frosting on top. The cake looks moist and dense with a deep brown color. On the frosting, there is a round slice of dried orange standing upright, accompanied by a small piece of chocolate partially leaning against the orange. The slice sits on a simple white plate with a silver fork beside it. The background features the rest of the cake, also topped with round dried orange slices, set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I fell in love with this Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe right after my first bite—it’s moist without being heavy and has a subtle warmth from cinnamon that’s just irresistible. Plus, it’s perfect for sharing with friends or savoring with your afternoon coffee.

Gluten-Free & Vegan: Enjoy a decadent cake that’s kind to your diet without compromising on flavor.
Flavor Explosion: The fresh orange zest combined with dark chocolate makes every bite vibrant and refreshing.
Simple Ingredients: No weird substitutes here—just pantry staples that blend perfectly.
Perfect Texture: Moist, tender crumb that holds together beautifully without drying out.

A round, single-layer dark chocolate cake sits on a white plate on a white marbled surface. The top of the cake is covered in smooth, shiny dark chocolate frosting with subtle waves. On one side of the cake's top, there are six thin, round dried orange slices arranged partly overlapping each other. Small chocolate shavings and tiny orange zest bits are scattered around the orange slices on the frosting. Around the plate, there are additional dried orange slices and a woman's hand gently holding the edge of the plate. In the background, an open chocolate wrapper and a glass bottle of milk are visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe uses ingredients that not only create a delicious cake but also support each other’s texture and flavor. Each one is chosen with care to ensure your cake turns out just right—light yet fudgy, with that perfect chocolate-orange harmony.

Flat lay of a small mound of fine gluten-free flour, a small mound of rich unsweetened cocoa powder, a small heap of warm cinnamon powder, a small pile of coarse kosher salt, a small heap of baking powder, a tiny heap of baking soda, a small pile of granulated white sugar textured with fresh orange zest, a medium white ceramic bowl of warm almond milk, a small white ceramic bowl of melted coconut oil, a small white ceramic bowl of white vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy dark chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl containing thick full-fat canned coconut milk, and a whole fresh orange with bright orange peel placed alongside some additional small sprigs of orange zest, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Gluten-Free Measure-for-Measure Flour: This is the key for a reliable gluten-free base—makes the texture similar to traditional flour.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds that deep, rich chocolate flavor with no added sweetness.
Cinnamon: A pinch provides warmth and enhances the orange chocolate combo.
Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and brightens flavors.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leaveners work together to give the cake a light rise and good structure.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps with that tender crumb.
Fresh Orange Zest: This zest is the star - rubbing it into the sugar releases oils that infuse the whole cake with fresh citrus aroma.
Almond Milk (or preferred dairy-free milk): Adds moisture—warming it helps ingredients combine smoothly.
Coconut Oil: Provides richness and helps keep the cake moist without making it greasy.
White Vinegar: Reacts with baking soda to help the cake rise and stay tender.
Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavor profile with warmth and depth.
Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Chips: Melts perfectly for the ganache, adding that luscious, glossy finish.
Full-Fat Canned Coconut Milk: Creates a luscious, creamy ganache that sets beautifully.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe is pretty flexible, which I love because sometimes you want to punch up the chocolate or dial up the orange zing. Don’t be afraid to make it your own!

Variation: I’ve tried swapping almond milk for oat milk when I want a creamier crumb, and it works wonderfully every time. Adding a splash of orange liqueur to the ganache takes this cake from everyday to party-worthy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe

Step 1: Preheat & Prep Your Pan

Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. This step ensures the cake comes out cleanly without sticking, which is such a satisfying moment after all that effort!

Step 2: Mix Up the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisking helps distribute everything evenly so your cake rises nicely and tastes balanced.

Step 3: Rub Orange Zest Into Sugar

Here’s a little trick that makes a big difference: rub the fresh orange zest directly into your sugar using clean fingertips. This releases the orange oils and infuses the sugar with vibrant citrus aroma, which then flavors the whole cake beautifully.

Step 4: Stir Wet Ingredients Together

To the citrusy sugar, add the warmed almond milk, melted coconut oil, white vinegar, and vanilla extract. Whisk these together until smooth—warm milk helps everything marry well and creates a tender crumb.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and gently stir until just combined. Don’t overmix here—you want the batter smooth but still a bit lumpy to keep the texture light and tender.

Step 6: Bake Your Cake

Pour your batter into the prepared pan and gently tap it on the counter to release air bubbles. Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking at the 35-minute mark with a toothpick. It’s done when the toothpick comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 7: Cool and Flip

Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Run a thin knife or spatula around the edges, then invert the cake onto a wire rack to cool completely. I like to place a rack over the cake, flip it, so the cake rests on the rack—this prevents condensation and sogginess while cooling.

Step 8: Make the Ganache & Finish

Heat the canned coconut milk, a bit of coconut oil, and some orange zest until steaming—almost boiling. Stir in the chocolate chips until fully melted and glossy. Pour this luscious ganache over the cooled cake and smooth it out. Let it set before slicing for that perfect shine and rich flavor contrast.

Top Tip

From countless cakes baked in my kitchen, here are some tips to help you nail this Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe every single time.

Rub Zest into Sugar: It’s a simple step that magnifies the orange flavor throughout the batter—don’t skip it!
Warm Your Milk: Using warm almond milk helps the wet ingredients mix smoothly, improving the cake’s texture.
Don’t Overmix: Mix until just combined to keep the cake moist and tender, super important for gluten-free bakes.
Cool Fully Before Ganache: Applying ganache to warm cake causes it to melt unevenly—patience is key here!

How to Serve Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe

Vegan Chocolate Orange - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love garnishing this cake with a few delicate candied orange slices or a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted almonds for a lovely crunch and pop of color. Sometimes a dusting of cocoa powder or a few fresh mint leaves works just as well for fresh visual appeal.

Side Dishes

Pair this cake with a dollop of coconut whipped cream or a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat. If you want something lighter, a side of fresh berries also complements the zesty chocolate beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like assembling this cake as individual mini cakes or cupcakes with ganache drizzled artistically on top. Layering it with a vegan orange cream between two cake layers also creates an impressive centerpiece that guests can’t stop talking about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying a slice (or two!), store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. This way, the cake stays moist and the flavors remain fresh.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this cake successfully several times by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and placing it in a freezer-safe container. When you're ready to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results without losing any texture.

Reheating

Leftover slices reheat beautifully in a warm oven for about 10 minutes or in a toaster oven on low. This brings back that freshly baked feel without drying it out. Just avoid microwaving for too long to prevent a gummy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular all-purpose flour instead of gluten-free?

Yes! You can swap in regular all-purpose flour if gluten isn’t an issue for you. The texture might be slightly different—often a bit lighter—but it will still be delicious.

Can I substitute another oil for coconut oil?

Absolutely. Light olive oil or melted vegan butter are great alternatives. Keep in mind coconut oil adds a subtle richness and slight coconut flavor that pairs well with the orange zest.

How do I store and freeze the cake?

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days. For longer storage, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Is the cake really moist without eggs or dairy?

Yes! The combination of coconut oil, almond milk, and white vinegar creates a tender, moist texture. The gluten-free flour blend also helps retain moisture, making this cake wonderfully soft.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake Recipe holds a special spot in my kitchen because it makes healthy feel indulgent, and it’s a joy to bake for loved ones who often ask for “that chocolate-orange cake again.” I hope you find as much delight in making and eating it as I do—with a touch of love and zest in every bite. Give it a try, and don’t be shy about making it your own!