Moist & Rich Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

This is the BEST gluten free chocolate cake recipe out there! So moist, so rich, and so full of chocolate flavor! It's always the hit of the party! Recipe from @whattheforkblog | whattheforkfoodblog.com | gluten free dessert recipes | easy desserts | cake recipes from scratch | homemade chocolate cake | gluten free cakes | birthday cakes | gluten free birthday cake recipes | chocolate cake from scratch

Moist & Rich Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

4.60 from 1001 ratings

The ultimate two-layer gluten-free chocolate cake! It’s incredibly rich, and best of all, easy to bake at home. The cake batter combines gluten-free all purpose flour with cocoa powder, avocado oil, milk (dairy free option below!) and brewed hot coffee. You read that right! Hot coffee is the key to unlocking a mouth-watering moist cake! The 8-inch cake rounds are frosted with the creamiest chocolate buttercream frosting. A perfect gluten-free cake for celebrating a birthday, to serve a a dinner party, or to bake just because! Yields 12 slices.

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 55

Servings: 12 slices

By: Sharon Lachendro

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Ingredients

For the Cake

1 3/4 cups all-purpose gluten free flour
3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum omit if your blend contains it
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cups cocoa powder*
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup milk 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk or your choice of dairy-free milk
1/2 cup avocado oil or canola oil
2 large eggs room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup hot coffee

For the Frosting

1 cup butter softened (or 1 cup vegan butter)
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

To make the Cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray 2 8-inch cake pans with non-stick spray. Line the bottom of the pans with parchment paper and spray that parchment paper with non-stick spray.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, sift together the flour, xanthan gum, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Use the paddle attachment to mix the dry ingredients on low speed.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla.
With the mixer running on low speed, slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until completely combined.
Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and pour in the hot coffee. Mix on low until incorporated.
Pour the batter (it will be very thin and pretty liquidy) evenly between the two pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes. (Mine take about 37 minutes.)
Cool the cakes on a wire rack (in the pan) for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the cakes from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
When the cakes are cool, prepare the buttercream.

To make the chocolate buttercream:

Add the butter to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until completely smooth. Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder and mix on low to combine. Mix in the vanilla extract and heavy cream.
Turn the mixer to a medium-high speed and beat for 1-2 minutes or until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Frost the cake as desired!

Video

Notes

I currently use my Nightshade Free Flour Mix in this recipe. It also works well with both my White Rice Flour Blend and the Brown Rice Gluten Free Flour Mix. I have also tested this recipe with Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Baking Mix with great results.
*I use Rodelle's Dutch Processed Gourmet Baking Cocoa because I prefer the rich chocolate flavor. Regular cocoa or dark cocoa powder can also be used.The frosting makes enough to frost one cake. If you would like a thicker layer of frosting or if you want to pipe any details, I suggest making 1 1/2 batches or doubling the recipe.
If making this dairy free, you can frost this cake with my favorite vegan chocolate frosting.
For freezing the unfrosted cakes:
1. 1. Firstly, wrap the chocolate cakes tightly in plastic wrap.
1. 1. Next, freeze on a sheet pan 4-6 hours and then transfer to freezer safe bags.
1. 1. At last, when you're ready to bake with them, make sure they are fully unthawed (4-6 hours)
For freezing the finished chocolate cake (frosting included)
1. 1. Firstly, slice the the cake into individual pieces first.
1. 1. Then, freeze individual slices on a sheet pan lined with wax paper.
1. 1. After frozen solid (4-6 hours), wrap in plastic wrap and transfer to freezer safe bag(s).
1. 1. Finally, thaw for at least 4 hours when you're ready to enjoy the slice of heaven!
  2. Cake adapted from Ina Garten.