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When was the last time that you made a cake from scratch? There is no need to use a pre-made cake mix when you can make this easy (and dare we say, healthy?) chocolate cake from scratch. This easy almond flour cake recipe combines combines coconut flour, raw cacao, and sugar into the most delicious dairy and gluten free chocolate cake that you have ever tasted. By swapping out traditional all-purpose flour for almond flour, this simple chocolate cake recipe has a rich, decadent thickness that satisfies any sweet tooth. Plus, you would never know that it’s a gluten free dessert!

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What You Need to Make Gluten Free Chocolate Cake

Coconut Oil
Eggs
Almond Milk
Sugar
Brown Sugar
Molasses
Apple Cider Vinegar
Bob’s Redmill Super-Fine Almond Flour
Cacao Powder
Coconut Flour
Cacao Nibs
Powdered Sugar
Butter
Baking Soda
Salt

What is Almond Flour?

Almond flour is a gluten free baking alternative to traditional wheat or all-purpose flours. It is made from finely grinding almonds after blanching to remove the skins. Aside from being a useful ingredient in gluten free desserts, almond flour also has fewer carbs than all-purposes flours but a higher fat content, meaning that it has a low glycemic index. This can be an ideal flour choice for diabetics and anyone looking to avoid insulin spikes. It is also a good source of dietary fiber and full of vitamins and minerals, including: manganese, magnesium, and Vitamin E.

Can you make your own almond flour?

Yes! Making your own almond flour at home is an easy and inexpensive way to make this flour. You can purchase blanched almonds and simply grind them in a food processor.

Even more cost effective (or if you have almonds at home), you can blanch your own almonds in under 5 minutes!

How to blanch your own almonds:

Set a pan on the stove and bring water to a boil
Add your almonds and allow to boil for one minute.
Strain the almonds in the sink and rinse with cold water to stop the almonds from continuing to cook
Place the almonds on paper towels to dry.
Using your fingers, you can easily slip the skins off from the almonds.

It’s that simple!

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What is the difference between almond flour and almond meal?

Almond flour is made by grinding blanched almonds, whereas almond meal has a courser texture and is ground with the almond skins intact. For most recipes, these gluten free baking options can be used interchangeably.

How do you use almond flour in baking?

Almond flour can be used in a 1:1 ratio to all-purpose flour, although there is not a standard conversation. A ratio of 1:2 has also been used by bakers, so we find that it is best to experiment on individual recipes to find the ratio that works best for your specific gluten free dessert recipe. However, the higher fat content and lack of gluten will make your recipe denser and will not rise as much as flour. Almond flour can also require additional liquid in your recipe as well.

Easy Ingredient Substitutions

Dairy-free. For a dairy free cake, use a plant-based or vegan substitute for the butter in the icing. (The cake itself is dairy free)
Egg-free. I have not made this recipe with an egg replacer. Substitute eggs as recommended by brand.
Paleo. Replace sugar and brown sugar for coconut sugar.
Vegan. Use an egg replacer and substitute a plant-based alternative for butter.

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How to Make Gluten Free Chocolate Cake

For the cake:

Get the oven ready. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prep the pan. Spray 9 x 13 cake pan with non-stick cooking oil.
Mix together the wet ingredients. In a medium mixing bowl, combine coconut oil, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, almond milk, molasses and apple cider vinegar and stir together until smooth. Set aside.
Mix together the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine almond flour, cacao powder, coconut flour, cacao nibs, baking soda, and salt.
Add wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Slowly add in wet mixture into large mixing bowl and stir well.
Bake the cake. Pour batter into greased cake pan and bake in oven for 35-40 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool before spreading icing. Allow cake to completely cool before adding icing.

For the icing:

Soften the butter. Soften butter to room temperature.
Cream the frosting. With a hand or stand mixer, mix in cacao powder and stir well. Add confectioner’s sugar and mix.
Add in milk. Slowly add two tablespoons of almond milk at a time until desired consistency is reach.

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