Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease three 6″  or 8″ cake pans with cooking oil, and line them with parchment paper. Set aside. You can also use 8″ if desired. Just be aware that the cakes will bake differently (if you’re doing two 8″ cakes, it will bake longer, if you’re doing three, it will bake quicker). Measure out all ingredients.

Step 2

Prepare the vegan buttermilk. Combine the dairy free milk with the apple cider vinegar, and set aside to sit for 5-6 minutes. You can weigh and measure the remaining ingredients during this time.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda (add in 1/8 tsp salt if you’re using unsalted vegan butter). In a stand mixer with paddle attachment or a large bowl with hand mixer, cream together the vegan butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed. Then add in the applesauce and vanilla extract. Mix again on medium speed until combined, scraping down the sides and at the bottom of the bowl as needed. Add in about half of the dry mixture, along with half of the vegan buttermilk, and mix on medium speed until just combined. Add in the remaining dry mixture and vegan buttermilk, and mix on medium speed until there are just no more dry streaks. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl as well as the sides. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer (if using a stand mixer) and fold in the sprinkles just until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 4

Divide the batter between the cake pans evenly, and bake for 27-30 minutes, or until the toothpick comes out clean.

Step 5

Remove from the oven and allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cooled completely (there is absolutely no warmth to the touch!), then you can prepare your chocolate buttercream.

Step 6

make the vegan buttercream according to the directions in the post.

Step 7

on a cake stand or a cake turntable, spoon about 1/3-1/2 cup of frosting onto the first layer. Use an offset spatula to smooth the frosting to the edges. Then place the second layer on top and repeat. Place the third layer on top and frost the outside of the cake, creating a crumb coat. You can either smooth the edges even more after chilling the crumb coat layer, or you can make swoops in the frosting. Decorate with sprinkles and serve! Enjoy!

Step 8

store any leftover cake wrapped in parchment paper and tinfoil, and in the fridge for up to 4 days or the freezer for up to 3 months.