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Strawberry Shortcake with Mocha Buttercream

moka coffee pot
A fluffy vegan strawberry shortcake slathered with rich mocha buttercream—this is dessert drama at its finest and most delicious.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 410 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Shortcake Layers:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup organic cane sugar
  • ½ cup melted coconut oil
  • 1¼ cups almond milk
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Mocha Buttercream:

  • ½ cup vegan butter room temp
  • 2½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1½ tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1½ tsp instant espresso
  • 1 tbsp almond milk
  • ½ tsp vanilla

For the Strawberry Filling:

  • 1½ cups fresh strawberries sliced
  • 2 tsp maple syrup optional, if your berries lack drama

Instructions
 

  • Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans. No shortcuts—this isn’t your ex’s birthday cake.
  • Step 2: Whisk flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and sugar in a big bowl. It’s dry, but it’s about to glow up.
  • Step 3: Mix almond milk, vinegar, vanilla, and oil in a separate bowl. This is your vegan magic potion.
  • Step 4: Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth, but don’t overmix like you’re overthinking a text.
  • Step 5: Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bake for 28–30 minutes. Insert toothpick, and pray for clean drama-free results.
  • Step 6: Cool the cakes completely on a rack before buttercream-ing. Warm cake melts frosting. It’s not a disaster, it’s a life lesson.
  • Step 7: For the buttercream, beat vegan butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, cocoa, espresso, almond milk, and vanilla. Beat until thick and rich—like your dream life.
  • Step 8: Toss strawberries with maple syrup (optional). Let them sit and release their sweet secrets.
  • Step 9: Layer one cake, spread mocha buttercream, pile on strawberries, and repeat. Top with more frosting and a few showoff berries.

Notes

Nutritional Values (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 410
  • Total Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Carbohydrates: 58g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 4g

Vitamins & Minerals (Per Serving)

  • Iron: 9%
  • Calcium: 7%
  • Vitamin C: 6%
  • Magnesium: 5%
  • Folate: 4%

Additional Notes/Tips to Enhance the Flavor

  • Chill the cake before frosting if the kitchen’s hotter than your DMs.
  • Add orange zest to the buttercream for citrusy flirtation.
  • Use espresso paste for stronger mocha drama if you like intensity (and who doesn’t?).
  • Slice strawberries thin so they don’t cause cake slide. You’ve been warned.
  • Pair it with a bold cold brew and your favorite power playlist. You’ve earned it.