Vegan snowball cake

With its delectably light and fluffy vegan meringue topping and coconut sprinkle finish, this snowball cake is a guaranteed Christmas table showstopper.

1 hour prep. time
25–35 mins cooking time
Serves one 23cm triple layer cake
Cakes, bakes & desserts, Vegetarian & vegan, Christmas

National Trust vegan snowball cake — Try our vegan snowball cake recipe this Christmas | © National Trust/William Shaw

375g vegan baking margarine
600ml soya milk
50ml white wine vinegar
600g self-raising flour
450g caster sugar
2 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp mixed spice
150g vegan mixed candied spice
2 oranges, zest

For the filling

400ml soya milk
150g caster sugar
2 oranges, juice
75g cornflour
150g icing sugar
60g vegan baking margarine

For the meringue

100ml aquafaba
150g caster sugar

To finish

150g desiccated coconut

Aquafaba benefits

Aquafaba is the name given to the water from the tins of chickpeas and other legumes, and can be used as an egg white replacement in many recipes – you can freeze it for later use if needed (make sure you buy chickpeas in water with no salt added). Remember also that adding vinegar to the soya milk in this recipe will cause it to curdle and thicken – this is normal.

Step 1

Pre-heat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan/gas mark 3) and grease and line three 23cm loose-bottom cake tins with parchment paper.

Step 2

Melt the vegan margarine in a microwave or in a pan over a low heat, then put to one side.

Step 3

Pour the soya milk into a bowl, add the vinegar, stir and leave to one side.

Step 4

Place the self-raising flour, caster sugar, baking powder, ground ginger, ground mixed spice and the orange zest in a bowl and mix together well.

Step 5

Make a well in the centre and pour in the melted vegan margarine followed by the curdled soya milk and the vegan candied peel. Stir well until incorporated.

Step 6

Divide the mixture between the tins and place in the oven for around 25–35 minutes, or until risen and soft. Check by inserting a skewer into the middle to see if it comes out clean. Leave to cool before removing from the tins.

Step 7

For the filling

Place the soya milk in a pan over a medium heat, bring to the boil then reduce the temperature to a simmer. Pour the orange juice into a bowl and add the cornflour and caster sugar. Mix to a smooth paste.

Step 8

Pour the cornflour mix into the soya mix and beat until thick, creamy and smooth, making sure the mixture gently simmers for a couple of minutes. Leave to cool.

Step 9

Place the cooled filling in the bowl of a mixer, add the icing sugar and baking margarine and whisk until light and fluffy. Sandwich the cakes together using the filling mix.

Step 10

Place the aquafaba in the bowl of the mixer and start to whisk on full speed until it reaches stiff peaks, which can take 10–15 minutres. While it’s whipping, start to make the sugar solution.

Step 11

Place the sugar and 75ml water in a saucepan over a high heat. As soon as it boils, reduce the heat slightly, continuing to simmer until it reaches a temperature of 120°C.

Step 12

Remove from the heat and pour slowly into the whipped aquafaba with the whisk still going on medium, until all added. Whisk until cooled and then use to coat the sides and top of the cake.