It was my birthday and I really really wanted chocolate cake. The only problem was that I had given up most grains and my son was eating gluten free. My auntie’s chocolate cake recipe, a store-bought cake, or something from a box was just not going to cut it. Another minor detail: not everyone eats grain free or gluten free, so I didn’t want a cake that was going to look and taste like cardboard.
In the past, I’ve made other Paleo/grain free chocolate cake recipes but they either call for 9 eggs or a lot of almond flour. I’ve had a lot of recipe flops since starting this whole grain free thing and almond flour isn’t cheap. Surely I could come up with something that resembled a cake, right?
It only took two tries to nail the recipe as you see it plus 14 more “just one more time” and “just making sure it’s right”. I’m serious. I’ve sent cake to my neighbors, to my husband’s office, and my freezer is full of chocolate cake squares for EE or “emotional emergencies”. When you are a mom of 3 I say a lot of things qualify for EE.
Making this recipe is easy. Check it out!
This is one of those cakes you don’t even know it’s grain free. Ok, it’s not as sweet as the “boxed kind” but I stopped buying those a long time ago. I will admit, that what I really wanted was Gerry’s Chocolate Guinness Magic Cake but this will do -for now. So, if you want something awesome that isn’t grain free… check out Foodness Gracious.
After I made the cake, I asked my husband what he thought of it. He said it was really good and my daughter had a big piece topped with ice-cream (they both have no dietary restrictions). My son Alex is the one who has really benefitted from this recipe. He’s taken small pieces of cake to school twice (or more) per week for over a month.
Of course, Baby G didn’t complain either. He stole a piece or two after every take. Thief.
It is recipes just like this that enable me to stick to eating Paleo while also helping my family eat healthier (who says “no” to chocolate cake, right?).
Through the years, I’ve been able to modify and create so many easy, low-budget meals that are also Paleo compatible and even gluten/grain free. I’ve pulled more than 50 of them together into the Family KickStart Program – my 30-day comprehensive program that will help you and your family eliminate processed foods and sugars without sacrificing the fun meals your family loves.
Family KickStart gives you access to recipes, 4 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists and everything else you need to eat fresh, whole foods as a family for the next 30 days. There’s even a weekly “treat” like this recipe so the kids have something fun to look forward to. And seriously, the recipes are so good, our kids have asked if we could do KickStart again so they could revisit some of their favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes! Check out the Family KickStart Program here.
Coconut Flour Cake
I will add, that it’s imperative you sift the cake. See the little light chocolate clump? that’s a little almond flour clump. Must.sift.dry.ingredients. Got it? good. We made this cake so many times I even taught my son how to sift.
What’s the cake like? This cake has the texture and feel as traditional cake, is less sweet, and full of chocolate flavor. Unlike many cakes that are heavy on the coconut flour, it doesn’t have that potent coconut taste or grainy texture. My intern took my second to last cake (minus one testing piece) and her family could not believe it was a grain free.
Say goodbye to expensive grain free / paleo cake recipes. This cake is “da-bomb-dot-com” -anonymous. You can frost it -or not. I sprinkled it with a little shredded coconut but you could use powdered sugar or without. I hear it’s amazing warm with cold vanilla ice cream on top.
Here are all of my “test notes”from the 14 baking tests (I will update as I continue making this recipe):
- Yes, I tried making this cake with baking soda + vinegar but the cake sunk and therefore, I don’t think it was a good substitute.
- Make sure your eggs are all the same size. I made this recipe with local organic eggs once and one egg looked like a jumbo while the other was very small. Consistent egg size is key (I measured my eggs nearly every time to the point I was obsessed).
- You cannot use all coconut flour for this recipe.
- The only successful substitute for almond flour was chestnut flour. You can try using finely ground sunflower seed flour -but I haven’t tested it.
- You can use maple syrup instead of honey. Honey is cheaper than pure maple syrup so I kept honey in the recipe.
- You can use regular milk instead of coconut milk. Measure 400ml and you are good to go (all pyrex measuring mugs have ml on the other side -it’s a lot easier than measuring 13.5 liquid ounces).
- I did notice that on rainy or very humid days my cake was less spongy. Remember I said I tried this over 14 times? Yeah, I also took note of the weather. Dry weather is best but it will still come out great.
- The cake will crack on the top as it expands during baking; do not worry.
- Finally, you can double this recipe and use 2 9inch round cake pans. You will have a dome, but I hear after you cut the dome off it’s really good to “test”. If you are using 9-inch round pans, check for doneness around minute 45. *I think* this might be it.
Paleo Chocolate Cake Recipe
This recipe is grain free, paleo, and dairy free -but full of the chocolatey flavor it deserves! Made with a mix of coconut and almond flours this is the best grain free cake ever!
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 9 squares 1x
- Category: desserts
Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut flour (56g)
- ¼ cup almond flour (25g)
- 2 teaspoons grain-free baking powder* (7g)
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (59g)
- 13.5 ounce can full-fat coconut milk (400ml)
- ½ cup honey (125g)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (10ml)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Line an 8×8 inch square baking sheet with parchment paper -this is done so you can easily “lift” the cake out.
- Sift coconut flour, almond flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder into the bowl of your stand mixer (or large mixing bowl). Mix your dry ingredients until they are all combined.
- Place coconut milk, honey, eggs, and vanilla extract inside your blender. Blend on low speed for 10-15 seconds until all ingredients are throughly combined.
- With your stand mixer on low speed, slowly pour wet ingredients into dry. Mix just enough for everything to combine. Stop the mixer once or so to make sure there are no dry ingredients left at the bottom. Do not over-mix the batter. It should look like chocolate mouse.
- Pour chocolate batter evenly into your lined pan. Bake for 50 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes prior to transferring it to a cooling rack.
- To store, refrigerate for up to a week.
Notes
If you are not on a grain free diet and can eat corn, use regular baking powder. Otherwise, check out the recipe below on how to make your own.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 206
- Sugar: 17.1g
- Sodium: 44.6mg
- Fat: 11.5g
- Saturated Fat: 8.6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24.7g
- Fiber: 3.7g
- Protein: 5.8g
- Cholesterol: 82.7mg
Keywords: paleo cake recipe, paleo chocolate cake, coconut flour cake, almond flour cake, coconut flour chocolate cake
Grain Free Baking Powder
- Yield: 5 tablespoons 1x
- Category: Pantry Staples
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon baking soda
- 2 Tablespoons cream of tartar
- 2 Tablespoons starch (potato, arrowroot, tapioca)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix all ingredients and then sift into a small airtight container.
Notes
I like to make this grain free baking powder in small batches. If you bake a lot, you can double it. Who knew that cream of tartar has more uses than homemade play dough?
Mandy
I’m on keto and tried this recipe before I noticed how many carbs are in a square (far too many for keto). It was none the less delicious. I did substituted the honey for a keto sweetener (xylitol) and a little extra coconut oil, so that would have reduced the net carbs. It would be great if you could formulate a keto version. It is so very close.
Laura Fuentes
something to add to my to-do list! the issue is the liquid vs. the powdered xylitol but I’ll give it a test soon. It also works with a keto honey substitute.
Laura Harvey
Hi Laura,
I made your cake and it was wonderfully delicious. Thank you for sharing. My daughter starts back at school next week and would love to take these squares in her lunchbox. However, her school is a nut free environment for allergies reasons. If I wanted to take the almond flour out, would you recommend just putting more coconut (classed as a fruit, not nut, so OK at school) flour in? Or is there something else you would recommend?
Thanks so much again for sharing your fantastic recipe.
Kind regards,
Laura
Laura Fuentes
Hi Laura! unfortunately, you cannot take out the almond flour and add coconut flour. While I haven’t tested it, some people have emailed that they have substituted the almond flour with oat flour. Here is how to make your own oat flour using rolled oats. Enjoy!
Katrina
You mention the eggs are critical so it would be helpful to know how much these four eggs weigh. Thanks
Laura Fuentes
the recipe calls for large eggs. Each large egg is about 3.25 tablespoons of liquid. I hope this helps.
Andrea
Can I substitute the coconut flour for tapioca flour
Laura Fuentes
Unfortunately, the coconut flour in this recipe is essential since it absorbs the liquid. Tapioca flour is a starch and will not work. Sorry!
C.Clarke
This was delicious, and moist. Thank you
Liba
thank you for your excellent recipe
Liv
Is there any substitute for coconut milk?
Laura Fuentes
Plain yogurt, but it would not make this cake paleo.
Julia
I have been struggling with several chronic illness issues for over two years and have MANY food sensitivities. It has been really hard to find sweet treats that taste good and don’t upset my stomach. My 18th birthday is coming up and my mom and I decided this will DEFINITELY be my birthday cake. Thank you so much for this delicious recipe!
Laura Fuentes
I am thrilled this recipe works for you Julia! Happy Birthday!!
Suzanne
This looks so good! Do you use this batter for any other recipes?
Laura Fuentes
Hi Suzanne, you can also use the batter to make about 8 cupcakes. The recipe and frosting for those cupcakes are inside my cookbook, The Best Grain-Free Family Meals on the Planet.
Vanessa
Thanks for sharing! Do you have any frosting recipes to go with it?
Laura Fuentes
Hi Vanessa, I have a paleo frosting recipe inside my cookbook The Best Grain-Free Family Meals on the Planet. It’s amazing. Due to contractual obligations, I’m unable to publish it on the web!
Leo
I’m baking the recipe now. It smells amazing, and is perfect for my strict paleo-esque diet. I’m just curious; why didn’t you add salt? I made the adjustment on my end.
Laura Fuentes
I didn’t feel like the recipe needed it. Also, you’ll find salt to help boost paleo recipes with baking soda but with baking powder it’s not always needed. I hope you enjoy the cake.
JC
BIG ERROR – Coconut Milk should read 13 oz can, NOT 27 oz can.
I just ruined my recipe by using 27 ounces.
Laura Fuentes
The recipe calls for one, 13.5 ounce can. Did you have the 2x tool (to double the recipe) selected?
Nikita Mohta
Hi,
Can eggs be substituted for flax egg?
Laura Fuentes
Not with this recipe. The egg substitute swap I recommend is a maximum of 2 eggs. Sorry!
Sasha
Hi,
I want to thank you for the awesome cake, seriously it’s the best “healthy” one I’ve ever cooked. I just wanted to share some substitutes I made:
1) no almond flour at all
2) twice less coconut milk
3) twice less honey
4) 2 eggs instead of 4 plus 2 flax eggs
5) added a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg and handful of lingonberries
And it all worked! 🙂 Super delicious
Laura Fuentes
whew! I am glad it worked for you with so many substitutes. A keeper!!
Vidya
Hi,
I would love to try this recipe, I don’t have any dietary restrictions so will I be able to sub the coconut milk for heavy cream and the honey for sugar?
Many thanks
Laura Fuentes
You can substitute the coconut milk for heavy cream of half & half. The honey should be substituted with another liquid sweetener, like maple syrup.