Plan your December baking calendar with this 12-day vegan cake series!
Create a viral holiday baking series with 12 unique vegan Christmas cakes—from easy loaves to showstopping layer cakes. Perfect for plant-based bakers who want to keep their Pinterest feeds fresh all December!
This 12-day series combines classic holiday flavors with modern twists. Each day features a new technique, crumb, or frosting to keep your feed engaging and your followers returning daily. Start with Day 1's gingerbread loaf and watch your saves multiply!
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned baker, these recipes are designed to be approachable yet impressive. The series includes festive variations like chocolate peppermint layer cakes, fruitcake truffles, and dairy-free trifles—all vegan and plant-based.
Plan your December baking calendar with this curated series. Cross-link each day's recipe for binge-worthy content and higher board engagement among plant-based holiday bakers.
Pin the entire series now to stay inspired all month long. From rustic loaves to elegant showstoppers, these cakes will keep your feed festive and your followers engaged!
Why This 12-Day Series Works
Daily Variety
12 unique recipes keep your feed fresh and followers engaged with new content every day. From simple loaves to multi-layered cakes.
Skill Progression
Start with beginner-friendly loaves and progress to advanced techniques like ganache drizzles and multi-layer assembly.
Festive Themes
Each cake incorporates holiday elements like gingerbread spices, peppermint, and festive glazes for a cohesive series.
Cross-Linking
Strategic linking between recipes creates a binge-worthy experience, encouraging followers to collect all 12 recipes.
Day 1: Rustic Gingerbread Loaf
A spiced loaf with snowy powdered sugar
Ingredients
- - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- - ½ cup almond flour
- - 1 tsp baking soda
- - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- - ½ tsp ground ginger
- - ¼ tsp nutmeg
- - ½ cup coconut sugar
- - ½ cup molasses
- - ¼ cup maple syrup
- - ½ cup vegan butter
- - 1 cup almond milk
- - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- - ¼ cup crushed pecans
- - 1 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
💡 Tip: Use a silicone loaf pan for easier release.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk flour, almond flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
💡 Tip: Sift to remove lumps.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix coconut sugar, molasses, maple syrup, vegan butter, almond milk, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
💡 Tip: Use a hand mixer for better emulsification.
Combine Batters: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined. Fold in crushed pecans.
💡 Tip: Do not overmix to keep the crumb tender.
Bake: Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
💡 Tip: Rotate pan halfway through for even browning.
Glaze: Let cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
💡 Tip: Add crushed peppermints for extra festive flair.
Nutrition (per serving):
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Almond Flour
Adds moisture and nutty flavor. Substitute with oat flour for a nut-free option.
Substitutions: Oat flour, coconut flour (use less liquid), or additional all-purpose flour.
Molasses
Provides deep molasses flavor and moisture. Substitute with maple syrup or blackstrap molasses.
Substitutions: Maple syrup, blackstrap molasses, or a mix of brown sugar and liquid sweetener.
Adds richness and helps with leavening. Substitute with coconut oil or olive oil.
Substitutions: Coconut oil, olive oil, or vegan shortening.
Almond Milk
Adds liquid and slight nutty flavor. Substitute with any non-dairy milk.
Substitutions: Soy milk, oat milk, or rice milk.
Pecans
Add crunch and richness. Substitute with walnuts, hazelnuts, or pumpkin seeds.
Substitutions: Walnuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, or skip for a nut-free version.
Pro Tips for Perfect Cakes
Baking Consistency
Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements. This ensures consistent results across all 12 recipes.
Pan Prep
Line pans with parchment paper for easy release and cleaner presentation, especially important for daily photo series.
Photography Hacks
Shoot from overhead with natural light for the best flat-lay photos. Use a white marble background for maximum contrast.
Series Planning
Plan your 12-day series in advance. Bake 2-3 days ahead and store in airtight containers to maintain freshness.
Variations & Customizations
Day 2: Chocolate Peppermint Layer Cake
Use dark cocoa powder and peppermint extract. Top with crushed candy canes and mint leaves.
Day 3: Mini Fruitcake Loaves
Reduce the recipe to make 4 mini loaves. Add dried cranberries and orange zest for extra flavor.
Day 4: Dairy-Free Trifle
Layer vegan sponge cake, raspberry compote, and dairy-free whipped cream in a glass bowl.
Day 5: Spiced Apple Cake
Add grated apple and cinnamon to the batter. Top with a caramel glaze.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
🍽️ Best Served With:
- Vegan gingerbread cookies for a cohesive holiday spread
- Spiced apple cider for a warming beverage
- Mini marshmallow hot chocolate for a festive twist
🍷 Drink Pairings:
Pair with mulled wine or a spiced chai tea latte for a festive touch.
Make-Ahead Instructions & Storage
Make-Ahead Tips
Bake all 12 cakes 3-5 days in advance. Store in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator Storage
Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Freezer Storage
Freeze baked cakes for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
Reheating Instructions
Reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
Troubleshooting & Common Questions
Q: My cake is too dry. What went wrong?
A: Check oven temperature with a thermometer. Overbaking is common in convection ovens. Reduce baking time by 5 minutes.
Q: Can I substitute maple syrup for molasses?
A: Yes, but reduce other liquid by ¼ cup. Molasses adds depth, so consider using a mix of both for best flavor.
Q: How do I get a clean slice every time?
A: Use a sharp serrated knife. For layer cakes, let the cake cool completely before slicing.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Add ¼ tsp xanthan gum for better structure.
Final Thoughts
This 12-day vegan Christmas cake series is the perfect way to keep your feed festive and engaging throughout December. With a mix of easy loaves, elegant layer cakes, and showstopping desserts, there's something for every skill level. Start with Day 1's gingerbread loaf and watch your followers return daily for the next recipe!
Whether you're planning a holiday baking marathon or simply looking for new ideas, this series has you covered. Cross-link each day's recipe to create a binge-worthy experience that keeps your followers coming back for more. Happy baking!
