Vegan S’mores Sheet Cake Recipe

Introduction

This vegan s’mores sheet cake is a delightful twist on the classic campfire treat. With a crunchy biscuit base, moist chocolate cake, and fluffy marshmallow topping, it’s perfect for sharing at any gathering. Rich, indulgent, and completely plant-based, this recipe will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.

The image shows a slice of s'mores dessert with three clear layers on a white plate sitting on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a dense, light brown crust with a crumbly texture. The middle layer is thick and dark brown, rich chocolate filling with a smooth, glossy finish. The top layer is fluffy white marshmallow covering the chocolate, slightly toasted with a light golden color on the top surface. Around the plate, there are small white marshmallows, pieces of milk chocolate, and a gold fork near the plate. A woman's hand is placing the plate down gently. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 200g plain digestive biscuits or graham crackers
  • 80g dairy-free butter
  • 250ml dairy-free milk (soya milk works best)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons plain or vanilla yogurt (dairy-free)
  • 100g caster sugar
  • 250g self-raising flour
  • 40g cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • 70ml sunflower oil
  • Natures Charm Chocolate Fudge sauce (for filling)
  • 180g dairy-free dark chocolate
  • 120g dairy-free block butter, room temperature
  • 60g vegan sour cream, room temperature
  • 450g icing sugar (powdered sugar)
  • 25g cocoa powder
  • 125g aquafaba (liquid from a can of unsalted chickpeas)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 150g caster sugar (fine white sugar, NOT powdered)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 180ºC fan. Line an 8 x 8 inch square cake tin with greaseproof paper, allowing the paper to hang over the sides for easy removal.
  2. Step 2: Melt the dairy-free butter over low heat, then transfer it to a medium heat-proof bowl.
  3. Step 3: Crush the digestive biscuits or graham crackers into fine crumbs using a blender or food processor. Mix the crumbs with the melted butter until it resembles wet sand and holds shape when pressed.
  4. Step 4: Press the biscuit mixture evenly into the base of the lined tin and set aside.
  5. Step 5: In a bowl, whisk together the dairy-free milk, apple cider vinegar, and yogurt. Let it sit for 10 minutes to curdle, creating vegan “buttermilk.”
  6. Step 6: Sift together sugar, self-raising flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and bicarbonate of soda in a large bowl. Add sunflower oil to the vegan buttermilk and whisk to combine.
  7. Step 7: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix and stir gently just until combined.
  8. Step 8: Spoon the batter over the biscuit base and smooth the top with a spoon or offset spatula.
  9. Step 9: Bake for 25–30 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake springs back when touched. If edges brown too quickly, cover with greaseproof paper and continue baking.
  10. Step 10: Cool the cake in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. For extra moisture, brush the cake with cooled sugar syrup (equal parts sugar and water heated until dissolved).
  11. Step 11: Poke holes in the cooled cake and pipe chocolate fudge sauce into them for hidden pockets of gooey chocolate.
  12. Step 12: Melt the dairy-free dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, then allow it to cool slightly.
  13. Step 13: Beat the dairy-free butter until creamy, then mix in vegan sour cream until smooth.
  14. Step 14: Gradually add icing sugar and cocoa powder, beating until smooth.
  15. Step 15: Slowly add the melted chocolate and beat until the buttercream is silky and fluffy. Adjust consistency with a splash of dairy-free milk or chill if too soft.
  16. Step 16: Spread the chocolate buttercream evenly over the cake.
  17. Step 17: Ensure your bowl and whisk are clean and dry, then beat aquafaba, vanilla bean paste, and cream of tartar until fluffy (about 1 minute).
  18. Step 18: Gradually add caster sugar, a tablespoon at a time, while continuing to whisk until stiff, glossy peaks form (about 10–15 minutes).
  19. Step 19: Spoon the marshmallow fluff on top of the buttercream and swirl with a spatula.
  20. Step 20: Carefully torch the meringue with a kitchen blow torch until golden brown, taking care not to burn.
  21. Step 21: Cut the cake into squares with a sharp knife and serve.

Tips & Variations

  • Use soya milk for the dairy-free milk for the best “buttermilk” substitute.
  • Try different vegan chocolate sauces for varied flavor pockets inside the cake.
  • If you don’t have a blow torch, briefly place the marshmallow topping under a hot grill to toast it.
  • For extra crunch, sprinkle crushed vegan graham crackers over the frosting before serving.

Storage

Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. Leftover cake can be reheated gently in a warm oven, but avoid microwaving to preserve the meringue topping.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a multi-layered dessert square on a white round plate, placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a light brown crumbly crust, followed by a thick, dense dark brown chocolate brownie layer in the middle. On top of that is a smooth, rich, glossy dark chocolate layer, partially covered by a thick, fluffy white marshmallow layer with uneven texture. Small toasted brown marshmallows and pieces of milk chocolate are scattered around the plate, and a woman's hand holds the plate from the side. In the background, blurred white mugs and stacked chocolate bars are visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of dairy-free milk?

Yes, but the recipe is designed to be fully vegan. Using regular milk will change that, and the flavor may differ slightly.

What if I don’t have aquafaba for the meringue?

Aquafaba mimics egg whites in vegan baking. Without it, you can omit the marshmallow topping or use a ready-made vegan marshmallow fluff alternative.

Print

Vegan S’mores Sheet Cake Recipe

This Vegan S’mores Sheet Cake is a decadent, dairy-free dessert combining a buttery biscuit base, moist chocolate cake, hidden fudge pockets, rich chocolate buttercream, and toasted marshmallow meringue topping. Perfect for gatherings and those craving classic s’mores flavors with a plant-based twist.

  • Author: luca
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Vegan, Western
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

Biscuit Base

  • 200g of plain digestive biscuits or graham crackers
  • 80g of dairy-free butter

Vegan “Buttermilk” Mixture

  • 250ml of dairy-free milk (soya milk preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons of plain or vanilla dairy-free yogurt

Cake Batter

  • 100g of caster sugar
  • 250g of self-raising flour
  • 40g of cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
  • 70ml of sunflower oil

Chocolate Fudge Filling

  • Natures Charm Chocolate Fudge sauce (amount as needed for piping into cake)

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  • 180g of dairy-free dark chocolate
  • 120g of dairy-free block butter, room temperature
  • 60g of vegan sour cream, room temperature
  • 450g of icing sugar (powdered sugar)
  • 25g of cocoa powder

Marshmallow Meringue Topping

  • 125g of aquafaba (liquid from a can of unsalted chickpeas)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar
  • 150g of caster sugar (fine white sugar, not powdered)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Biscuit Base: Preheat the oven to 180ºC fan and line an 8 x 8 inch square cake tin with greaseproof paper, allowing it to hang over the edges for easy cake removal. Melt the dairy-free butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then transfer to a medium heat-proof bowl. Blitz the digestive biscuits or graham crackers in a blender until fine crumbs form. Mix the crumbs with melted butter until the texture resembles wet sand that holds shape when pressed. Press the mixture evenly into the base of the lined cake tin and set aside.
  2. Make the Vegan Buttermilk: In a bowl, combine the dairy-free milk, apple cider vinegar, and yogurt. Whisk thoroughly and let it curdle for 10 minutes, creating a vegan buttermilk substitute.
  3. Prepare the Cake Batter: Sift together the caster sugar, self-raising flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl. Add the sunflower oil into the vegan buttermilk and whisk to combine. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined to avoid overmixing.
  4. Assemble and Bake the Cake: Spoon the batter over the biscuit base in the tin and level it evenly with a spoon or offset spatula. Bake in the oven’s middle rack for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness at 25 minutes by inserting a knife or skewer; it should come out clean and the cake should be springy to touch. If batter remains on the skewer, bake a little longer, covering the top with greaseproof paper if browning too quickly. Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer onto a cooling rack to cool fully.
  5. Optional Sugar Syrup: To add extra moisture, heat equal parts caster sugar and water until sugar dissolves. Cool the syrup and brush it over the cooled cake before filling.
  6. Fill with Chocolate Fudge: Once cooled, poke holes into the cake and use a piping bag to fill the holes with Natures Charm Chocolate Fudge sauce or vegan chocolate ganache to create hidden chocolate pockets.
  7. Melt Chocolate for Buttercream: Place the dairy-free dark chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over a simmering saucepan of water (double boiler method) and melt gently. Allow to cool slightly.
  8. Make the Chocolate Buttercream: Beat the dairy-free block butter until light, smooth, and creamy. Mix in the vegan sour cream until fully combined. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar and cocoa powder, beating until smooth. Slowly pour in the melted chocolate and beat until the buttercream is silky, glossy, and fluffy. Adjust consistency by adding a splash of dairy-free milk if too thick or chilling if too soft.
  9. Frost the Cake: Spread the chocolate buttercream evenly over the cooled cake using a spoon or offset spatula.
  10. Prepare the Marshmallow Meringue: Ensure your bowl and whisk are clean and dry. Add aquafaba, vanilla bean paste, and cream of tartar to a large bowl or stand mixer. Whisk with a balloon attachment for 1 minute until fluffy. Gradually add caster sugar, a tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat for 10-15 minutes until stiff, glossy peaks form.
  11. Top and Toast the Meringue: Spoon the marshmallow meringue over the chocolate buttercream and use an offset spatula to swirl artistically. Using a kitchen blow torch, carefully toast the meringue until golden brown without burning.
  12. Serve: Use a sharp knife to cut the cake into squares. Serve immediately and enjoy your vegan s’mores sheet cake with hidden chocolate fudge surprises and toasted marshmallow topping.

Notes

  • Use soya milk for best results in creating the vegan buttermilk.
  • Press the biscuit base firmly so it holds together well.
  • Do not overbake the cake to maintain moisture; it is better slightly underbaked.
  • If desired, prepare the chocolate fudge filling ahead for easier piping.
  • Make sure the bowl and whisk for the aquafaba meringue are completely grease-free to achieve stiff peaks.
  • The marshmallow meringue topping can be toasted with a kitchen blow torch for authentic s’mores flavor.
  • Store the cake in an airtight container to maintain freshness, best consumed within 2-3 days.
  • The cake is delicate when warm, so handle gently especially when removing from the tin.

Keywords: Vegan s’mores cake, dairy-free chocolate cake, vegan dessert, chocolate fudge cake, aquafaba meringue, plant-based s’mores

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