This one bowl gluten free chocolate cake is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or just because! It’s moist, fluffy with the perfect tender crumb, and I promise you’ll have no idea it’s gluten and dairy free.
I don’t even know where to begin because I have no words to describe how much I love this homemade gluten free chocolate cake! It’s easy (like one bowl in 10 minutes easy), moist, fluffy, rich, spongey, cakey (that’s a given) and undetectably gluten free.
Seriously, if you gave someone a slice and then proceeded to tell them it was a gluten free chocolate cake (made completely from scratch!), I doubt they would believe you.
It’s topped with a silky smooth chocolate buttercream that melts in your mouth. It can be dairy filled or dairy free, but I made it dairy free by using vegan butter. The cake itself is naturally dairy free, so the buttercream is your choice!
You most definitely don’t need a special occasion to make this cake, but if you serve it to friends, I promise they’ll be impressed- it tastes just like the real deal.
You’ll never go back to a boxed gluten free cake mix again! Not into chocolate? Don’t worry, try my gluten free vanilla cake instead!
How to make gluten free chocolate cake
Prepare either 1 9×13 cake pan or 2 round 9″ cake pans. Spray the bottom(s) with oil then add parchment paper just to the bottom. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together all wet ingredients with an electric mixer aside from the boiling water. Whisk in the dry ingredients.
Pour in the boiling water and whisk until combined. Whisk in all remaining wet ingredients aside from the boiling water.
Add the batter to the prepared cake pan. If making a layer cake, try to measure each cake as equally as possible, or use a kitchen scale for best results.
Bake for 30-36 minutes for a sheet cake, 28-35 for layer cake, or until a toothpick comes out clean. 30 minutes was perfect in my oven, but all ovens are different so keep an eye on it.
Let cool in the pan(s) for about 10-20 minutes, then carefully flip onto a cooling rack. They should slide right out, then peel off the bottom parchment paper and flip back so they’re upright.
Let cool completely before frosting.
To make the buttercream, add softened/room temperature butter to a bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl with a handheld mixer and beat until smooth and creamy.
Beat in the sifted cocoa powder.
Beat in the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time until your desired consistency is reached. Finally, beat in the milk and vanilla until well combined.
Frost the cake and add sprinkles if desired. Enjoy!
The best flour blend
I am very loyal to my favorite Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour. It has never failed me and manages to yield recipes that are moist, fluffy, not gummy and just really well balanced.
King Arthur also has a good gluten free blend, but I strongly recommend using the Bob’s Red Mill for best results since all gluten free flour blends are different.
Just be sure you use a blend that has xanthan gum! To successfully bake without gluten, you usually need xanthan gum and/or eggs to help bind all ingredients together.
Getting the perfect texture
There are a few things that not only make this cake moist, but also give it the perfect spongey texture that isn’t too light but also not dense.
The first is the eggs! You need three whole eggs for this recipe, which helps the cake rise and contributes to the perfect cake texture. Unfortunately, I don’t recommend a vegan substitute for the eggs, but I have a vegan and gluten free chocolate cake recipe you can try instead!
The second is the mixing technique! Over-mixing cake can be just as big of a disaster as under-mixing, which is why we’re using a whisk and electric mixer to find the balance.
With an electric mixer, you run the risk of getting too much air into the batter, which can cause the cake to sink in the middle and collapse after it comes out of the oven.
With a wooden spoon, you don’t get enough air into the batter which can yield a dense cake. A whisk allows just the right amount of air into the batter for a moist, spongey cake.
The third is the other liquid ingredients such as the milk, oil and boiling water! I know boiling water seems like an odd thing to put into a cake, but it “activates” the cocoa powder, giving the perfect rice chocolate taste that isn’t dry. I promise, it works like a charm!
Storage and baking tips
This gluten free chocolate cake will store at room temperature for 3-4 days in an air tight container, or in the fridge for about 1 week. If kept in a container, I promise it will stay very moist! No dry cakes here.
Finally, be sure to place your cake in the center of the oven as it bakes. This ensures it bakes evenly and doesn’t rise too quickly or too slowly.
A cake that rises too quickly can lead to a cracked and very domed top, which we don’t want! Keep it in the center for an even bake. The eggs, baking powder and baking soda are what help this cake rise.
Is flourless cake the same as gluten free
A flourless cake is one that is made without flour and is therefore usually gluten free by default. However, a gluten free cake is not necessarily flourless!
This cake is made with gluten free all purpose flour and is not flourless.
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Gluten Free Chocolate Cake
by: claire cary
Ingredients
Dry:
- 2 ¾ cups sifted Gluten Free All Purpose Flour I used Bob's Red Mill 1:1 which I highly suggest
- ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons sifted cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1-2 teaspoons espresso powder optional for a richer flavor
Wet:
- 1 cup non-dairy milk I used almond
- 1 cup white sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vinegar white or apple cider
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup oil safflower, canola, refined avocado etc.
- 1 cup boiling water
Buttercream:
- 2-4 tbsp milk dairy or non-dairy
- ¾ cup butter 1 1/2 sticks
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sifted cocoa powder
- 4-5 cups sifted powdered sugar adjust to get your desired consistency
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all wet ingredients aside from the boiling water.
- Whisk in the sifted dry ingredients.
- Pour in the boiling water and whisk until combined. The batter will be fairly thin.
- Add the batter to the prepared cake pan. If making a layer cake, try to measure each cake as equally as possible, or use a kitchen scale for best results.
- Bake for 30-36 minutes for a sheet cake, 28-35 for layer cake, or until a toothpick comes out clean. All ovens are different so just keep an eye on it.
- Let cool in the pan(s) for about 10-20 minutes, then carefully flip onto a cooling rack. They should slide right out, then peel off the bottom parchment paper and flip back so they're upright.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
- To make the buttercream, add softened/room temperature butter to a bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl with a handheld mixer and beat until smooth and creamy.
- Beat in the sifted cocoa powder.
- Beat in the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time until your desired consistency is reached. Finally, beat in the milk and vanilla until well combined.
- Frost the cake and add sprinkles if desired. Enjoy!
Libby says
I’m going to make this for my daughter’s 5th birthday! Any hesitation with me doubling the recipe to make a 4 layer round cake, instead of a 2 layer cake? This is her first birthday since her celiac diagnosis so I’m trying to go all out 🙂
Claire Cary says
Love that! And can totally relate 🙂 you should have no issues, just hit the “2x” in the recipe card and it will automatically double everything for you. Sometimes doubling things with baking can give iffy results, so I’ll often double but make the batches in different bowls as if I’m making a single batch, but with this recipe I don’t think you will have any issues.
Libby says
Awesome – thank you! If I make the cakes a day ahead before eating / assembling, should I just let cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and put them in the fridge until I’m ready to assemble and do frosting? Do you think that will work ok?
Claire Cary says
Yes, that will work well!
Cindy Lurie says
Can I make mini Bundt cakes? Still spray the pan with oil? How long in the oven?
Claire Cary says
That should work! Still spray the pan with oil, not sure about timing though it really depends on the size of your pans.
Gina says
Hi! What about this recipe would change for cupcakes, If anything?
Thanks!
Claire Cary says
Just the bake time! I would check around 15-18 minutes.
Lulu says
This is the best cake ever! It is so moist and delicious! Could you use oat flower instead of gf flour?
Claire Cary says
Stick with the gluten free flour for best results 🙂
Cheri Ezell says
I realize there are so many folks needing GF goodies but…..can I substitute regular old all purp flour in your recipes indicating GF?
Thank you!!
Claire Cary says
Yes! That is an easy swap. It’s simple to go from GF AP flour to regular AP flour, but not vice versa. If a recipe calls for GF AP flour, just swap for regular and you should be fine. Keep an eye on the oven because bake times can vary sometimes. I am unable to test my recipes with regular AP flour, but it’s usually a safe swap 🙂
Rachel says
The most delicious chocolate cake! Frosting is perfect as well!
Ruthann Tidwell says
The best chocolate cake and frosting, I have ever had.
Claire Cary says
Thank you Ruthann! So happy you enjoyed it!