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Vegan Lemon Blueberry Lavender Cake

Vegan Lemon Blueberry Lavender Cake


  • Author: Leslie Bennett
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (plus cooling time)
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Vegan Lemon Blueberry Lavender Cake is a stunning botanical dessert that perfectly balances bright citrus notes with the delicate floral aroma of culinary lavender. It features a vibrant lemon base studded with juicy fresh blueberries, layered with creamy vegan lemon buttercream and a hidden layer of sweet blueberry jam, delivering a sophisticated and elegant dairy-free treat.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Lavender Milk:
1¼ cups unsweetened soy milk (highly recommended for structure)
1 tbsp dried culinary lavender (ensure it is food grade)

For the Cake Batter:
½ cup aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas)
½ cup vegan butter, softened
½ cup neutral flavored oil
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 tbsp freshly grated lemon zest
1 tbsp pure lemon extract
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 cups cake flour
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup fresh blueberries

For the Vegan Lemon Frosting:
1½ cups vegan butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 to 3 tbsp unsweetened soy milk
2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Optional Add-ins:
Purple food coloring
Blueberry jam (for the hidden filling layer)


Instructions

1. Infuse the lavender milk: Heat the soy milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Remove from the heat and add the dried culinary lavender. Let it steep for exactly 25 minutes. Strain the milk through a fine mesh strainer to discard the buds and allow the milk to cool completely.

2. Prepare the pans and aquafaba: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 6-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, measure ½ cup of aquafaba and whip it with a hand mixer on medium-high speed for 1 minute until light and foamy (do not over-whip into stiff peaks).

3. Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the softened vegan butter, neutral oil, granulated sugar, and lemon zest. Beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Mix in the lemon extract, vanilla extract, cooled lavender milk, and the foamy aquafaba.

4. Incorporate the dry ingredients and berries: On low speed, gradually add the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix for 1 to 2 minutes until just combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Gently fold in the fresh blueberries using a spatula.

5. Bake and cool the cakes: Divide the batter equally among the prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Make the frosting and assemble: Beat the vegan butter until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and soy milk until you reach a spreadable consistency (add food coloring if desired). Assemble the cake by placing a layer on a stand, spreading frosting, and adding a thin layer of blueberry jam. Repeat this process. Frost the outside and decorate with fresh blueberries, lemon slices, and a sprinkle of lavender.

Notes

Cool the Milk Completely: Never add warm lavender milk to the vegan butter mixture. It will melt the butter and ruin the cake structure. Always let it reach room temperature or chill it in the fridge first.

Whip the Aquafaba Correctly: You want the aquafaba to be light and foamy, not stiff like meringue. Over-whipping it can change the moisture balance in the batter.

Prevent Sinking Berries: Toss the blueberries in a tiny spoonful of the dry cake flour before folding them into the batter. This keeps them suspended perfectly.

Use Cake Flour: Do not substitute cake flour with all-purpose flour if you want that ultra-tender crumb. Cake flour has a lower protein content, resulting in less gluten development and a softer slice.

Storage Instructions: Because this cake uses vegan buttercream, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight cake carrier for up to 5 days. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to soften the frosting.

  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert / Cake
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American / Botanical

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: ~380
  • Sugar: 45g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg