The BEST Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake Recipe

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Last Updated on April 12, 2023

Are you on the hunt for a delicious gluten free dairy free chocolate cake recipe? Well, my friend – you are at the right place. This is the best recipe for gluten-free chocolate cake that’s dairy-free too. I think you will love it as much as my family members and friends do!

gluten free dairy free chocolate cake recipe

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake

I’ve been making grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free cakes and cupcakes for a long time now. I even had a business called Jen Tilly Tea selling original recipes of loose-leaf tea blends and cupcakes to the local allergen-friendly community.

I’ve served these cakes and cupcakes to family and friends for a number of years now. I’ve brought them to baby showers, wedding showers, and I’m continually asked for the recipe.

I’m not trying to toot my own horn here, but I know what it’s like to scour the internet for allergen-friendly cake recipes only to spend time and money on expensive ingredients, and be completely disappointed.

If you are looking to make a birthday cake with a dairy-free option instead of a traditional gluten cake made with dairy, this is a winner.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake

This easy gluten-free chocolate cake has the perfect texture and chocolate flavor. My decadent chocolate cake is incredibly simple to make. You can print the recipe card for this gluten-free cake recipe below.

I have to put a plug in here for my favorite baking pans (USA Pans). They are a commercial-grade aluminized steel covered in a silicone coating which is PTFE, PFOA, and BPA free. Gluten and grain-free goods can be tricky sometimes, but this pan releases perfectly every time.

I have several of the round pans, muffin pans, mini muffin pans, and donut pans. In fact, this recipe could easily be made into a donut and dipped in melted chocolate.

Dairy Free Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe

Okay, so you are ready to sink your teeth into a delicous chocolate cake that’s free from gluten and dairy! Read on to discover how easy this gluten-free chocolate cake recipe is to make.

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake Recipe Ingredients

You might be surprised at the top ingredient (a type of bean). I promise, you will love this gluten free dairy free chocolate cake recipe. Just give it a try and I think you will agree – it’s the most moist, decadent gluten free chocolate cake you’ve ever eaten.

I also use navy beans in my famous Pumpkin Cake with Chocolate Ganache recipe.

  • canned navy beans
  • melted and cooled coconut oil
  • pastured eggs
  • maple syrup
  • vanilla extract
  • apple cider vinegar
  • cacao powder
  • coconut flour
  • sea salt
  • baking soda
  • Enjoy Life chocolate chips

gluten free dairy free chocolate cake recipe

How To Make Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

You’ll be using an 8″ round prepared pan or muffin pan. Alternatively you can use cupcake liners. Double the recipe and use two round cake pans if you want to have cake layers.

1.) First, add all the wet ingredients to a high speed blender. Blend until very smooth.

2.) Next, whisk the dry ingredients together in a small bowl (except the chocolate chips).

3.) Then, add the dry ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides and blend again.

4.) After you have blended until smooth, pour the mixture into a large bowl and allow to rest for a few minutes. Batter will thicken as coconut flour absorbs some of the liquid.

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5.) Next, fold in the chocolate chips.

6.) Pour into prepared pan and bake 25-30 minutes. You want the top to spring back when touched.

This recipe is very moist, so make sure you do not undercook it.

Allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove from pan and let your dairy free, gluten free cake cool on a cooling rack before frosting. You don’t want to frost a warm cake!

How To Make Chocolate Frosting

If you are looking for a frosting, I recommend my amazing chocolate sweet potato frosting. That’s what’s on my cupcakes in the picture below. Look how smoothe it is.

sweet potato frosting

Tips For Baking The Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

This cake is best served at room temperature. I usually make the frosting the night before I need it. I make the cake the day of. If I happen to make the cake the night before an event,  I just allow the cake to completely cool, then wrap it in paper towels and plastic wrap and store it at room temperature.

You MUST bring it to room temperature to serve or the coconut oil will be too hard and change the texture.

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake Storage Tips

The cake is very moist and delicious at room temp and for a few days. Any longer than just a few days, I would recommend putting it in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen, see below for information on freezing the cake.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baking Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake

If you are making an allergy-friendly cake for the first time, you might have some questions. Let’s see if I can answer them for you.

What Chocolate is Gluten Free and Dairy Free?

Enjoy Life chocolate chips are the best allergy-friendly chocolate chips. The dark chocolate has a delicious taste (not bitter at all!) and it mels beautifully.

Is This Dairy Free Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Paleo?

Because beans are not paleo, this isn’t a paleo chocolate cake. However, it is grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and refined sugar-free. So, if you can eat beans, give this easy recipe a try!

Can I Make This Gluten-free Chocolate Cake Egg-free?

To be honest, I haven’t tried to make this rich chocolate cake without eggs. If you try it with flax eggs or another egg substitute, be sure to let me know how it worked for you.

Can I Make Cupcakes With This Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake Recipe?

This cake batter makes amazing cupcakes! They are so moist and chocolatey.

Can This Gluten Free Dairy Free Chocolate Cake be Made in Advance?

You can make this delicious gluten-free chocolate cake ahead of time, but I’d not do it more than a day in advance. Once the cake is frosted, I keep leftovers in the refrigerator. You MUST bring it to room temperature to serve or the coconut oil will be too hard and change the texture.

Does the Cake Freeze Well?

If you’d like to freeze the cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag, unfrosted is best, however it can be frozen frosted as well.

Can I Use Cocoa Powder Instead of Cacao Powder?

If you want to use natural cocoa powder instead of cacao powder for this gluten free chocolate cake recipe, go ahead. Cocoa and cacao powders can be used interchangeably in recipes. We use cacao powder instead because raw cacao products are less processed and healthier for you. 

Want more gluten free dairy free desserts? We’ve got a massive list of 100 of the best recipes!

Print

The BEST Double Chocolate Cake (Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free)

5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Jen/ My BIG FAT Grain Free Life
  • Yield: 1 8" round or 12 cupcakes 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups navy beans (I use Eden brand canned – rinse and drain well)
  • 1/2 cup melted and cooled coconut oil
  • 5 pastured eggs
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup cacao powder
  • 3 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/3 cup Enjoy Life chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 8″ round pan or muffin pan, or use cupcake liners.
  2. Add the first six ingredients to a high-speed blender. (beans through vinegar)
  3. Blend until very smooth.
  4. Whisk the dry ingredients together in a small bowl (except the chocolate chips).
  5. Add the dry ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides and blend again.
  6. Pour into a large mixing bowl and allow to rest for a few minutes. Batter will thicken as coconut flour absorbs some of the liquid.
  7. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  8. Pour into prepared pan and bake 25-30 minutes. You want the top to spring back when touched.
  9. This recipe is very moist, so make sure you do not undercook it.
  10. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove from pan.

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