Healthy Chocolate Cake
Servings: 9 " double layer cake
Calories: 495kcal
This Healthy Chocolate Cake is lightened up with whole wheat flour and dairy-free friendly. Deliciously moist and full of flavor. Made using less sugar and oil, but no one will know the difference! Oh, and the chocolate peanut butter frosting makes it exceptionally delicious.
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Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1.75 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup oil
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar coconut or cane sugar both work, see notes
- 1 cup non-dairy milk or milk of choice
- 3/4 cup hot strong coffee or hot water
Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting
- 3/4 cup 1.5 sticks butter or shortening, softened (plant-based butter is fine)
- 3/4 cup all-natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups confectioners sugar see notes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF and line two round 9" baking pans with parchment paper; set aside.
- Mix together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, maple syrup, vanilla and granulated sugar. Whisk until sugar has just about dissolved, then slowly stir in milk. Begin to add dry ingredients into large bowl of wet ingredients, whisking until almost combined. Then stir in hot coffee. Note: The batter will be very thin, this is correct.
- Bake: Evenly distribute cake batter into two lined pans and place on middle rack. Bake cakes for 18-24 minutes. I checked my cakes at 18 minutes and they were done at 20. Every oven is different so just be sure to watch. Cakes are done when inserted toothpick into the center of cakes comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely, about 45 minutes before inverting onto wire racks and peeling off parchment paper.
- Make the frosting: In a large bowl using electric mixer (or stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment), beat together butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add cocoa powder and begin to mix on low speed while adding a couple of tablespoons of the milk. With the mixer running on low speed, add in powdered sugar about 1/2 cup at a time, adding in the milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency of frosting is reached. Once you've added all of the powdered sugar, beat the frosting on medium-high speed for about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Frost the layered cake: Spread a couple of tablespoons of frosting at base of cake plate or cake stand (this will help hold the cake in place). Place one cake upside down onto the frosting. Spread an even layer of frosting on top of layer, about 1/2" thick. Top other cake onto frosting (you can place layer upside down or bottom side down and shave off any extra round height from top if you'd like) and frost rest of cake. I've been using an off-set spatula for frosting cakes and love it.
- Chill cake in fridge for at least one hour before slicing. This cake can also be made a day in advance!
Notes
SUGAR - use coconut or date sugar for an unrefined granulated sugar option.
POWDERED SUGAR - you can also make powdered sugar with coconut sugar by combining 1 cup coconut sugar with 1 TBSP arrowroot and processing in a blender until super fine.
DAIRY FREE CHOCOLATE FROSTING - if looking for a dietary friendly recipe try my dairy-free chocolate frosting and double the recipe – only use as much milk as needed for desired consistency.
CAKE PAN - cake can be made in a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350ºF and watch baking time after 20 minutes. Checking every few minutes until inserted toothpick into the center of cake comes out clean.
STORAGE - store in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week. Remove it from the fridge 1 hour before serving to enjoy at cool room temperature.
FREEZE - place slices of cake in a freezer-friendly container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or to room temperature.
Cake recipe adapted from: Ina Garten
Nutrition
Serving: 1/12th | Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 450mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 39g