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Swirls of pink frosting on top of the completed cake

Vegan Vanilla Sheet Cake with Mixed Berry Frosting (Sugar Free and Gluten Free options)

This eye popping treat is made up of a soft and fluffy vanilla cake base, topped with dreamy swirls of mixed berry buttercream frosting.  All you need is one bowl, any type of frozen berries you desire, and a handful of pantry staples, and you’ll be impressing friends and family with this beauty in no time!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Birthday Party, Dessert, tea party
Servings 24 pieces

Ingredients
  

Berry Frosting Ingredients

  • 2 cups frozen mixed berries of your choice
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar *if you want a sugar free option, this links to my favorite sweetener, you can substitute it 1:1 in place of regular granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegan butter
  • 3½ - 4 cups powdered sugar *if you want a sugar free option, this links to my favorite powdered sweetener, you can substitute it 1:1 in place of regular powdered sugar

Vanilla Cake Ingredients

  • ½ cup vegan butter softened to room temperature
  • ¼ cup neutral oil
  • heaping cups granulated sugar *see notes for more specifics on"heaping", and also if you want a sugar free option, again, this links to my favorite sweetener, you can substitute it 1:1 in place of regular granulated sugar
  • cups non-dairy milk room temperature
  • tbsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups gluten free flour can sub all-purpose if desired. This links to my favorite store bought gluten free flour blend that works best with all of my recipes, or see "Ingredients Needed" section for further info.
  • tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • For this recipe you want to start by making the frozen berry reduction since that needs to cool entirely before mixing it into the frosting, then make the cake so that can cool while the berry reduction is cooling, then make the frosting and put it all together once both components are at room temperature.
  • Frozen Berry Reduction.  Start by measuring out 2 cups of whatever types of frozen berries you are using here.  Place them into a small pot or saucepan along with 2 tbsp of granulated sugar, and cook down on medium/low heat for 10-15 minutes.  During this time, use a wooden spoon or spatula or even a fork to break up the berries until there are no large chunks remaining.  Remove from heat and use a mesh strainer to strain the liquid out of the mixture, which will get you around 1/3 of a cup.  The recipe is forgiving if it’s a little more or a little less.  Set aside to cool completely.
  • Vanilla Cake.  Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease and/or use parchment paper to line a 9x13 sheet pan.  In a large bowl, cream together your vegan butter, neutral oil, and granulated sugar.  Whether you are using a stand mixer, hand mixer, or even your hands, make sure you mix it together for a solid few minutes until it is light and fluffy.  Then add in the non-dairy milk and vanilla extract, at which point the mixture will appear separated.  Finally add in the gluten free flour, baking powder, and salt, and mix again until combined, but do not overmix.  Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 30 minutes, turning the pan halfway through.
  • Frosting.  Once the berry reduction is fully cooled, and once the cake is at room temperature and ready to be put together, it’s time to make the frosting.  Take the vegan butter straight from the fridge so it is cold, and add to a large bowl.  Mix with a stand mixer or hand mixer on its own until soft and fluffy, then slowly add the berry reduction and the powdered sugar a little at a time until the frosting is at your desired consistency.  Add more powdered sugar to get it thicker, less to keep it more liquidy.  Add a little vanilla extract or a pinch of salt to taste if you want.  Then spread the frosting on top of the cake.
  • Eat and enjoy!

Notes

Confused by the phrase “heaping” cup of sugar?  Basically this means – when you scoop the sugar from the container, instead of leveling it off at the top of the measuring cup, you can leave that little pile of excess sugar on top.  
Keyword mixed berries, mixed berry frosting, sheet cake, vanilla cake
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