Vegan Pudding Pound Cake Recipe (Vanilla and Banana Options)

Many years ago, we co-hosted a recipe contest with Zen, a producer of dairy-free pudding. Their puddings have morphed over the years, from soy to almond to coconut milk, but the winning recipes from this contest have stood the test of time. Libby’s Vegan Pudding Pound Cake, for example, uses dairy-free vanilla pudding (or yogurt!) of any type for a wonderfully chewy texture. And we just updated her recipe with expanded instructions and recipe tips!

Libby’s vegan pudding pound cake easily avoids eggs and dairy

This second recipe uses only a handful of ingredients. And he doesn’t use a pound of each. Rather, the name nods to the rich taste, texture, and density you expect with a pound cake. Here are some additional recipe notes and options for this delicious Vegan Pudding Pound Cake.

What, no eggs or egg substitute? Technically, pudding is the egg substitute. It provides a bit of extra binding and moisture that can be lacking without eggs. It also happens to add a sweet vanilla flavor!
Where can I get dairy free pudding? Zen has become hard to find over the years. You may have better luck finding Travel or you can just make your own from a box of pudding. Simply delicious has dairy-free instructions and Jell-O Vanilla Pudding is easy to make dairy-free. Simply use 1 can (14 ounces) of coconut milk in place of the milk in the regular size Jell-O package.
Is there a substitute for pudding? Yes! You can use your favorite brand of dairy-free vanilla yogurt In place. That said, I would opt for a sweeter type, a bit rich, if possible. I like So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt, Silk Almond Milk Yogurtand Silk Soy Yogurt for recipes. They each have good consistencies, a nice vanilla flavor, are easy to find, and are affordable. Since you’re cooking the yogurt, don’t dwell on the probiotics in the yogurt – they don’t survive the heat. And I would avoid brands with alternative sweeteners because they can negatively affect baked goods.
Can I use a butter spread instead? Butter sticks (often called vegetable butter) are slightly better formulated for bakery applications. In a pinch, a spread will usually work. But we recommend poles. country jar and earth balance have great easy-to-find and affordable stick options that work great in almost any recipe.

Special Dietary Notes: Libby’s Vegan Pudding Pound Cake

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free/dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. Just be sure to choose a butter alternative and pudding that meets your dietary needs.

Libby’s Vegan Pudding Pound

1¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon of salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup (1/2 stick) dairy-free butter sticks, softened
¾ cup sugar
8 ounces or ¾ cup dairy-free vanilla pudding (see message above or tips and options)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Grease and flour an 8 x 4 inch loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
In a mixing bowl, cream the sticks of butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Reduce mixer speed to low and add pudding and vanilla. Mix until homogeneous.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your mixing bowl and mix until smooth.
Scrape the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Variant of banana pudding: Use banana pudding instead of vanilla and add a pinch of ground nutmeg.