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4.7 from 651 votes

Water Cake: A Dairy-free, Egg-free, Magic Cake

No milk, no butter, no eggs needed, only simple cupboard ingredients. This water cake is absolutely magic and perfect for breakfast or tea time!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 291 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 380 ml water
  • 80 ml extra-virgin or vegetable olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste
  • 370 g all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 240 g sugar
  • 4 tablespoon cocoa powder optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/360°F/Gas Mark 4, and arrange a baking tray onto the middle shelf.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, water and vanilla, then set it aside until needed.
  3. In a large bowl sift the flour together with the baking powder, and mix well with a whisk. Add in the sugar and cocoa powder and mix well.
  4. Slowly pour the oil+water mix into the dry ingredients, and gently mix with a whisker until combined and lump-free. You can also add a pinch of sea salt to enhance the sweetness of the cake if you want.
  5. Spray with baking oil a 7-inch springform cake pan with loose base, although not necessary, I recommend placing a disk of parchment paper over the base. Pour in the cake batter and even the top using a spatula.
  6. Arrange the cake pan onto the middle rack and bake in the oven for about 45 minutes, then insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake. If it comes out dry, your cake is done, otherwise continue to bake for a further 5 minutes, then check again.
  7. Take the cake out from the oven and allow to cool completely before removing it from the pan.
  8. Dust generously with optional confectioner sugar if you like, and serve.

Notes

  • US Measurements
  • 1 cup + ½ cup + 1.5 tablespoon (or 1.6 cups) water
  • ⅓ cup + 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste
  • 2 cups + ¾ cup + 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup + 3 tablespoon sugar
  • 4 tablespoon cocoa powder (optional)
  • Gluten-free Water Cake
  • Substitute regular flour with Dove gluten-free flour and adjust the water quantity to 420 ml. 
  • Baking tips for the best cake
  • Don't forget to sift the flour! This is the only way to avoid lumps and get a super light spongy cake.
  • Always pre-heat oven before baking the cake.
  • Don not use the oven fan setting, simply use the conventional oven setting.
  • Bake the cake in the center of the oven.
  • To check if the cake is done, open the oven door only until towards the end of the baking time.
  • How to store
  • This easy vegan cake would keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Wrap in a cling film or store in an airtight container. This will prevent it from drying out, and from catching the smell of other foods in the fridge.

Nutrition Information

Calories 291kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 67.4g (22%) Protein 5.3g (11%) Fat 0.9g (1%) Saturated Fat 0.3g (2%) Sodium 4mg (0%) Potassium 245mg (7%) Fiber 2.1g (8%) Sugar 30.2g (60%) Calcium 66mg (7%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 291

% Daily Value*

Calories 291kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 67.4g 22%
Protein 5.3g 11%
Fat 0.9g 1%
Saturated Fat 0.3g 2%
Sodium 4mg 0%
Potassium 245mg 5%
Fiber 2.1g 8%
Sugar 30.2g 60%
Calcium 66mg 7%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.