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Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 7 reviews

This Gluten Free Chocolate Cake is a rich, moist, and deeply chocolatey dessert perfect for anyone avoiding gluten. It features a perfectly balanced blend of cocoa powder and gluten free flour, enhanced by the addition of coffee for depth of flavor. The cake is topped with a creamy, smooth chocolate buttercream frosting that complements the cake beautifully. Ideal for special occasions or everyday indulgence, this cake is easy to make and reliably delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ⅔ cups Gluten Free All Purpose baking Flour (sifted)
  • 1 cup cocoa powder (sifted)
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar (white or apple cider)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup oil (safflower, canola, refined avocado, etc.)
  • 1 cup hot brewed coffee or boiling water

Buttercream Frosting

  • ¾ cup butter (1 ½ sticks, softened)
  • ½ cup sifted cocoa powder
  • 3–5 cups sifted powdered sugar (adjust to desired consistency)
  • 2–4 tablespoons milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready when your batter is prepared.
  2. Prepare Cake Pans: Grease a 9×13 inch cake pan or two 8-inch round cake pans lightly with oil and line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds for easy release. Set aside.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients except the coffee or boiling water. This includes milk, sugars, eggs, vinegar, vanilla extract, and oil until thoroughly combined and smooth.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift in the gluten free flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the wet mixture. Gently whisk to combine ensuring no lumps.
  5. Add Coffee or Boiling Water: Pour in the hot coffee or boiling water and whisk until completely combined. The batter will be thin, which is expected for a moist cake.
  6. Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan(s). If making layers, try to balance the batter weight for even baking. Bake for 35-45 minutes for a sheet cake or 32-37 minutes for layer cakes. Use a toothpick inserted into the center to check doneness; it should come out clean.
  7. Cool Cake: Allow the cake(s) to cool in the pan for 10-20 minutes. Then carefully invert them onto a cooling rack, peel off the parchment paper, and flip the cake right-side up. Let cool completely before frosting.
  8. Make Buttercream: Beat softened butter in a stand mixer or with a handheld mixer until creamy. Beat in sifted cocoa powder until well combined. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until the desired thickness is reached. Finally, mix in milk and vanilla extract until smooth.
  9. Frost Cake: Spread the buttercream frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Decorate with sprinkles or other toppings if desired. Slice and enjoy your delicious gluten free chocolate cake!

Notes

  • You can adjust the amount of cocoa powder in the buttercream to control the chocolate intensity and frosting color: less cocoa means sweeter and paler frosting, more cocoa means richer and darker.
  • For the best gluten free results, use Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour, which includes xanthan gum. Other blends may work but must contain xanthan gum for structure.
  • Avoid Trader Joe’s cocoa powder for this recipe as it has a mild flavor and does not absorb well in the batter.
  • The coffee or hot water is key to enhancing the chocolate flavor and should not be omitted.
  • This cake can be baked as a sheet or layered cake depending on your preference and pan availability.

Nutrition

Keywords: gluten free chocolate cake, chocolate cake recipe, gluten free dessert, dairy optional chocolate cake, chocolate buttercream frosting

Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/gluten-free-chocolate-cake-recipe/