Vegan Mooncake Recipe: Plant-Based and Clean!

Vegan mooncakes are plant-based versions of traditional or modern mooncakes.

No dairy. No eggs. No lard. Just full-on flavor and tradition, 100% cruelty-free.

Here is how to make mooncakes that are kind to animals and taste amazing!

Features of Vegan Mooncakes

• Lard-free crust – use coconut oil or vegan butter

• No egg wash – but still golden (thanks to syrup)

• Natural fillings – taro, mung bean, red bean, etc.

• Fusion-friendly – try matcha, cocoa, nuts, dried fruit

• Snow skin or baked options – both work

Vegan Mooncake Recipe

⏱ Time: ~3 hours (includes dough rest & bake)

• Filling prep: 30 min

• Dough: 20 min

• Assembly: 30–40 min

• Baking + resting: 1.5–2 hrs

🛒 Ingredients (8 mini mooncakes)

Vegan Dough:

• 100g all-purpose flour

• 60g golden syrup (vegan-friendly)

• 30g neutral oil (coconut or sunflower)

• ½ tsp alkaline water (optional, helps browning)

Vegan Filling:

• 300g lotus seed paste or red bean paste (store-bought or homemade)

• Optional: add crushed nuts or dried fruits

Egg Wash Alternative:

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tbsp plant milk

• Optional: pinch turmeric for golden hue

🔪 Instructions

1. Make or Prep Filling

If using store-bought paste, skip this step.
To make homemade lotus paste: boil and blend lotus seeds, cook with oil + sugar until thick. Chill and roll into 8 balls (~35g each).

2. Make Vegan Dough

Mix syrup, oil, and alkaline water.
Add flour. Knead gently until a soft dough forms.
Wrap in cling film and let it rest for 1 hour.

3. Assemble

Divide dough into 8 (~20g each).
Flatten dough, wrap around filling ball.
Dust and press into a mooncake mold.

4. Bake

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Bake for 5 min. Remove, cool for 10 min.
Brush lightly with vegan egg wash.
Bake another 10–15 min until lightly golden.

Cool fully. Store in airtight container for 1–2 days to let the crust soften.

Flavor & Texture Breakdown

Tastes close to the real thing. A little lighter, fresher.

Pro Tips

🌿 Watch your paste – Some store-bought pastes contain lard. Double-check ingredients.
🥥 Coconut oil rules – It gives rich texture without animal fat.
🖌 Don’t over-brush – Light vegan wash = even golden tint
🍯 Use golden syrup or maltose – For shine and chewy texture

Variations

• Snow Skin Vegan Mooncake – Use plant milk and natural coloring

• Black sesame paste – Toasted and rich

• Pineapple jam – Tropical and tangy

• Date & walnut – Classic and chewy

• Vegan chocolate ganache – Next-level fusion

Final Thoughts

Vegan mooncakes prove that tradition can evolve.
They’re kind, clean, and absolutely delicious.

Bake them. Gift them. Devour them.
Mid-Autumn magic—no animals harmed.