This easy gluten free chocolate cake is rich, dense and fudgy, and it's all made in just one bowl. Make a double layer or single, with the simplest chocolate ganache frosting.
It's perfect for those days when you just want to indulge or when you're in need of a fast gluten free birthday cake! Say hello to your new favorite chocolate cake recipe!
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What makes this gluten free chocolate cake special?
There are so many reasons I consider this the best chocolate cake recipe ever, and once you try it, I'm sure you'll agree.
It's made in one bowl
Sometimes, you just need a rich, dark gluten free chocolate cake that you make in 1 bowl, without even melting any chocolate. Usually, to get a really rich chocolate cake or cupcake, your best bet is to use both melted dark chocolate and cocoa powder.
But this one bowl gluten free chocolate cake gets the job done with just the right mix of cocoa, sour cream, and oil instead of butter. It’s also dense, but never heavy.
It's so rich and tender
This cake is tender enough that you can make it days ahead of time. You can store it in the freezer like most cakes, but you can even store it in the refrigerator without it drying out too much.
Celebrate birthdays, holidays, and more with this perfect, simple chocolate cake
Need a gluten free birthday cake in a hurry? Seriously — this delicious cake is so easy to make, but your loved ones will think you spent hours. (And don't worry: Your gluten eating friends won't have a clue!)
How do you make this gluten free chocolate cake?
There are many ways to make chocolate cake from scratch, and most of them aren't any harder than making it from a mix. All the mix does is provide you with already-measured dry ingredients like flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.
When you're using a mix, you still have to add eggs, oil, and often water. As long as you're adding eggs, oil, and water, you may as well add some sour cream, too, and make it into this cake.
That's really all it takes. You have to provide the pan either way, right? And bake it in your oven.
Just whisk the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and sugar) and you have your chocolate cake mix. Make a well in the center, and add the wet ingredients and mix. Pour into the pan, smooth the top, and bake.
Choosing the right gluten free flour blend
If I had to pick my number one rule when it comes to baking, it would be: Always follow the recipe!
Even though I offer suggestions for substituting allergens below, it's always my preference that you follow my recipes exactly as written. It's the only way I can guarantee you'll enjoy results as wonderful as mine.
That said, there are a lot of gluten free flour options out there. Some might work fine for this gluten free chocolate cake recipe, others might result in less than stellar results.
Better Batter is my personal recommendation when it comes to the right gluten free flour blend for baking and more. It's what I used when perfecting this delicious chocolate cake, and it's what I use in a lot of my gluten free recipes that call for flour.
You can try other gluten free flour brands if you'd like, but I'd highly recommend that you stick with Better Batter if you can.
While we're on the topic, here's a pro tip for measuring gluten free flour: Whenever possible, weigh it rather than go by the volume measurement.
Weighing ingredients on a simple digital kitchen scale really is the best way to ensure you're following my recipe as closely as possible. There's no standardization of volume measuring cups, and human error makes consistency impossible—for all of us!
How to make it into a chocolate layer cake
This is the gluten free chocolate cake you make when it’s someone’s birthday, and you don’t want to disappoint — but you haven’t planned ahead. But if you’re making it as a celebration cake, you may want to make a layer cake.
No problem. Simply double each ingredient of the recipe to make two layers. Use a large bowl, or measure everything out into two bowls.
Place half of the batter into each of two prepared 9-inch cake pans. Smooth the top, and place them in a 350°F oven.
If the oven isn’t really large (like mine isn’t), after about 20 minutes rotate the pans with one another so everything bakes evenly.
How to make the easiest chocolate frosting
Chocolate ganache sounds fancy, but it's deceptively simple. When you make just chocolate ganache, it's not really a frosting. But if you whip it, you've got the easiest rich chocolate frosting.
Make the ganache by heating heavy whipping cream (or coconut cream, if you're dairy free) until simmering. Then, pour the simmering cream over chopped chocolate.
Allow the two ingredients to sit for a bit, until the chocolate begins to melt. Stir until the chocolate is melted, the liquid is fully incorporated, and the mixture is smooth. That's chocolate ganache.
How to make whipped chocolate ganache
To make it from simple chocolate ganache, use the proportions specified in the recipe below. Once the ganache has cooled to room temperature, place it in the refrigerator to chill until it can be scooped with a spoon. That should take a couple of hours.
Remove the chilled ganache from the refrigerator. Whip it with a hand mixer until it's thick, light and fluffy, and add a bit of confectioners' sugar if you'd like it a bit sweeter, and a bit thicker.
How to store this gluten free chocolate cake
I really can't stop mentioning how easy this gluten free chocolate cake is to make, and now you're going to hear me rave about how easy it is to store!
Storing a chocolate cake on the counter
In my house, chocolate cake doesn't tend to last long. But when there are leftovers, we've safely stored them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days.
One of the biggest risks of storing cake is that it may dry out before you can fully enjoy it. That's not a problem with this one.
First, it's so incredibly tender. And then that frosting? It does an awesome job of locking in the moisture.
Storing a chocolate cake in the fridge
Seriously, I cannot understate how soft and moist this cake is. For that reason, you can even store it in the fridge without worrying about it drying out.
I suggest using this storage method if you don't think you can finish your chocolate cake within two or three days.
Storing a chocolate cake in the freezer
Even though this gluten free chocolate cake is easy to prepare, I can see there being instances when you just do want to go through the effort. Or maybe you've got big plans coming up and need the cake made and out of the way, so you can concentrate on other things.
Whatever the reason, freezing this gf chocolate cake is a great way to have it on hand whenever you need it. Just prepare it as instructed, and then allow it to cool completely.
From there, you'll wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and pop it into the freezer. When you're ready to defrost, place it on the kitchen counter to thaw for 6 to 8 hours.
Ingredients and substitutions suggestions
Not only is this one bowl gluten free chocolate cake easy, it also doesn't have a lot of other potential allergens in it. No wonder it's one of my very best gluten free chocolate cakes.
Dairy free cake
There isn’t as much dairy in this cake as you might expect. Since cocoa powder works well to create chocolate richness with oil, there isn’t any butter in this recipe. Just be sure the chocolate you use in your ganache is dairy-free.
The only dairy in the cake itself is the sour cream. Sour cream can be replaced in baking with plain Greek-style yogurt. If you’re dairy-free, use nondairy yogurt.
If you only have plain regular yogurt, try straining out enough liquid until it’s looks like sour cream. Then measure and use that. If you’re dairy-free, again just use nondairy plain yogurt.
The dairy in the ganache is heavy whipping cream. That can be replaced with coconut cream, if you’re dairy-free.
Just be sure not to use canned light coconut milk, which has added water. Your coconut cream must be from a can, not from a carton of milk which is nearly all liquid.
Egg free cake
There are 2 eggs in this recipe, and they’re important. But since there are only 2 in a rather substantial cake, you might be able to replace each of them with one “chia egg.”
A “chia egg” is made with 1 tablespoon ground white chia seeds and 1 tablespoon lukewarm water. Just mix them together in a small bowl (times 2, here, for 2 eggs), and allow them to sit until they gel. Then add them when you would add the eggs.
Using cocoa powder
Dutch-processed cocoa powder tends to be richer than natural cocoa powder, which is why I prefer it in this recipe. If you only have natural cocoa powder, you can use that without changing anything else.
Natural cocoa powder is not processed with alkali, like Dutch-processed, so it requires a bit of baking soda to offset its acidity. But this recipe already calls for some baking soda.
Customizing your cake
Honestly, I don't think this yummy cake needs anything else — just slice it up and enjoy with a cold glass of milk or almond milk!
But if you're looking for a way to make yours a little bit more unique, you can't go wrong with sprinkles. Choose chocolate ones or rainbow-colored ones; they all work just fine.
For an even more chocolate-y cake, you could even use chocolate chips in place of sprinkles!
Note that many sprinkles and chocolate chips are gluten free, but you'll still want to carefully check food labels to be sure.
FAQs about this chocolate cake
It can, but it shouldn't! How it tastes depends on the ingredients you use and the recipe you follow. But if you use quality gluten free flours and follow a tried and tested recipe like this one, no one will ever know that they're eating a gluten free cake unless you tell them. And you should tell them after they try it!
When a cake cracks during or after baking, it's usually because your oven's heat too high.
When your oven is too hot, two things happen: A crust prematurely forms on the outside of the cake and the baking soda activates too soon and too quickly. This causes the cake to rapidly expand, cracking the crust that's already formed.
When baked goods rise and then fall as they cool, your oven is usually too hot. Most ovens run hot, and even when they're properly calibrated tend to drift out of calibration. That's why I always recommend using a standalone oven thermometer that can be replaced often, and using the doneness test that is specified in the recipe. Baking times are always approximate.
Yep! If you're aiming for a dairy free dessert, you can use nondairy yogurt in place of the sour cream for the gluten free cake and coconut cream in place of the heavy whipping cream for the frosting.
No! Sometimes, gluten free cake is confused with “flourless cake.” Traditional gluten free baked goods are made with an all purpose gluten free flour blend, like conventional ones are made with all purpose wheat flour.
You can make a gluten free chocolate cake entirely without flour, though. Please click over to our incredibly rich, totally flourless cake recipe, made simply with chocolate, butter, eggs, cocoa powder, and sugar.
If you're following a traditional cake recipe using wheat-based flour, the answer is no — that cake won't be gluten free.
Instead, you need to follow a gluten free cake recipe that avoids ingredients that include gluten. The biggest offender is flour, but gluten can also be hiding in other things, like frosting, so it's important to carefully check product labels.
Yes, pure, unadulterated cocoa powder is gluten free.
However, be careful of cocoa blends or even hot cocoa mixes. These may contain starches that have gluten.
The Best Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe | Just One Bowl!
Equipment
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand)
Ingredients
For the chocolate cake
- 1 ½ cups (210 g) all purpose gluten free flour blend (I used Better Batter; please click thru for full info on appropriate blends)
- ¾ teaspoon xanthan gum omit if your blend already contains it
- 14 tablespoons (70) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (168 g) sour cream at room temperature
- ½ cup (112 g) neutral oil (vegetable, grapeseed, peanut, canola all work)
- 2 (100 g (weighed out of shell)) eggs at room temperature, beaten
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (6 fluid ounces) warm water (about 80°F)
For the chocolate ganache topping
- ¾ cup (6 fluid ounces) heavy whipping cream
- 8 ounces dark chocolate chopped (See Recipe Notes for whipped chocolate ganache)
- 1 cup (115 g) confectioners’ sugar (for whipped ganache)
Instructions
To make the cake.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round or square baking pan and set it aside.
- In a large bowl, place the flour, xanthan gum, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda and sugar, and whisk to combine well.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the sour cream, oil, eggs, vanilla, and water, and mix to combine well. The batter should be very thickly pourable.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, smooth into an even layer and place in the center of the preheated oven.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out mostly clean or with a few moist crumbs attached (about 30 minutes). Do not overbake.
- Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the ganache topping.
- In a small, heavy-bottom saucepan, heat the heavy whipping cream until it just begins to simmer. Place the chopped chocolate in a medium-size bowl, and pour the hot cream over the chocolate.
- Allow the cream to sit on the chocolate for about a minute, until the chocolate begins to melt, and mix until the chocolate is melted, and the mixture is smooth and glossy.*
- Pour the warm ganache over the top of the cooled cake, and gently spread toward the edges so the ganache begins to drip down the sides of the cake. Allow to set at room temperature before serving.
- *To make whipped ganache frosting, use 10 ounces of chopped chocolate with the 6 fluid ounces cream and follow the same instructions. Allow the ganache to cool at room temperature until no longer hot to the touch.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator until firm enough to scoop with a spoon. Transfer the cooled ganache to a large bowl and beat with a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until thickened and fluffy.
- The ganache will also lighten in color. Add the optional confectioners’ sugar and beat until well-combined. Frost as desired.
Notes
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Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, I’m Nicole. I create gluten free recipes that really work and taste as good as you remember. No more making separate meals when someone is GF, or buying packaged foods that aren’t good enough to justify the price. At Gluten Free on a Shoestring, “good, for gluten free” just isn’t good enough! Come visit my bio!
youngbaker2002 says
I’ve made this cake several times and it has always come out perfect!
Laura says
I just made this. It was so easy and so good!!!
LeAnne Smith Fifield says
All I can say is that this is the best cake I have had since going Gluten Free, THANKS!!!
Candice says
Do you ever sift your ingredients? Would it hurt in any way? I like sifting dry ingredients, it reminds me of my grandma. lol
Nicole Hunn says
Of course it wouldn’t hurt to sift your ingredients, Candice! I only sift ingredients in chiffon cakes, angel food cakes and other light and airy cakes.
Laura says
Mmm!! Rich chocolate cake is the number one thing I miss from my gluten days. I usually just avoid making a gf version cause I can’t seem to get that taste/texture/whatever it is I remember chocolate cake to taste like BUT I’m trying this one!! It’s so easy, how could I not?
Lorie Saad says
I love this, but need to replace the 1 cup white sugar.
Joanne Pateman says
Has any one tried making it with a dairy free alternative and did it work? I can’t have lactose free and I don’t think we have the dairy free yoplait yogurt in Australia haven’t seen it we have lactose free but i react to that also, I was wondering if coconut cream might work?
Stephen Lovejoy says
I just made this, along with the Yellow cake from “Gluten-Free on a Shoestring Quick & Easy.” I only have 8″ pans at this time, but add a few minutes to baking time,, test with a toothpick, and we have 2 loverly cakes -not to mention a wonderfully aromatic house. Yum!
Tina says
Darn, just when I vowed to lose 5 lbs!
Sara says
This cake looks amazing!!! Do you think the recipe can be used at cupcakes?
Kelly Shiraki says
I did not have a 9″ pan, only 8″ (I make wedding cakes and all my pans are even inches). I used the 8″ and it turned out great. The toothpick was clean and it took a few more minutes to bake. Came right out of the pan. Thanks for all the great recipes!!
Kileymk says
Anyone have any tips on making the ganache dairy free? Or is there another type of topping/frosting that would be good over the cake? The ganache sounds great, so i’d love to make it if possible!
Anne BeloncikSchantz says
Recipe says 9-in round or square. Round is awfully pretty! :)
Christin says
Great, thanks! Can’t wait to make this this weekend!
wendyintexas says
Just what I’ve been craving! You’re a bonafide mind reader, and I’m making this today. I may even add a bit of cinnamon, because that has such an amazing effect on chocolate, as you know, (and it’s what I always do with my Texas Sheet Cake). Or what about a little espresso powder—the possibilities are mind-boggling and I can’t wait to try this.
Thank you for keeping this blog my favorite and making your emails the ones I look forward to the most. Your books are all my go-to books, and I will pre-order your next one as well. I can do this…!
Nicole Hunn says
Wendy, I love love love your attitude! With that sort of perspective, you can do this, whatever “this” is! Thank you so much for your support, and I think this cake would be great if you substituted brewed coffee for the water. Great idea! :)
Susan W says
Just in time for my birthday (tomorrow)! I started eating gluten free in the last week and have enjoyed playing with your recipes (Cheddar Bay biscuits, pasta, chocolate chip cookies, Japanese milk bread, and the copycat Starbucks chocolate cinnamon pound cake). My daughter and Husband are making my birthday cake (so sweet!), and we were looking at the devil’s food layer cake but didn’t see any remarks on using regular-sized cake pans for it…? Has anyone tried that recipe who can give me ideas on how to bake for 8″ or 9″ cake pans? If not, we’ll go with this one, which looks luscious!