You only need one chocolate cake recipe, and this should be it. My gluten free German Chocolate Cake is made with pureed, cooked quinoa so there are no gluten free flours or weird ingredients (I mean xanthan gum) to buy. That means anyone can make it so this just might become the new family favourite. Everyone loves it!
There is nothing German about this cake (see explanation in Ingredients section below) but I would definitely make it for an Oktoberfest celebration. My dinner would feature Beef Rouladen with red wine gravy, warm potato salad and braised cabbage. I'd serve this cake and tell everyone it's not German but it's delicious!
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Ingredients
Baker’s chocolate, sold in boxes at the grocery store, is familiar to cooks. Now available in unsweetened, bittersweet, semisweet, dark and white, once had another option. In the 1950’s you could buy German’s sweet chocolate named after Samuel German, an English-American chocolate maker. My version is made with cocoa so that is just a fun fact for curious cooks.
- Cooked quinoa - A superfood that's high in protein making this decadent chocolate cake almost feel healthy. (It's not.)
- Milk & eggs - This is an egg heavy cake so not the best choice if you are looking for a vegan cake.
- Vanilla - The flavour is important in many baked goods so don't skip it. The artificial version is a reasonable option, better than omitting it.
- Butter & sugar - It's a decadent dessert and this is what it takes!
- Cocoa powder - This gives the rich chocolate taste we love.
- Baking powder & baking soda - Many gluten free recipes use these two leaveners to make up for the missing gluten.
- Canned evaporated milk - It's gluten free and it always was.
- Angel flake coconut - The large flakes give the filling the look I remember from my mom's German Chocolate Cake.
- Pecans - These contribute to the classic taste of this filling.
See recipe card for exact amounts.
Instructions
Cooking quinoa - Most package instructions suggest cooking quinoa the same way you cook rice but there is some variation. Follow the instructions, make a few different recipes and decide what works best for you.
It's available at grocery stores everywhere. If you think the price is expensive buy a bigger package. Sometimes the cost per pound can be almost half.
Coconut-Pecan Filling - The filling recipe makes a generous portion, too much for this three-layer cake. But the recipe uses a whole can of evaporated milk so I've never tried to make it smaller. The excess filling keeps in the fridge for weeks. Use it to make half a cake with the single leftover cake layer you're going to have.
Substitutions
Milk - Plant based milks can be used in place of cows milk.
Canned evaporated milk - I have not seen a dairy free option for this but you can cook plant based milk and thicken it with cornstarch to achieve the desired consistency.
Variations for Quinoa Chocolate Cake
- The basic chocolate cake can be served plain with a dusting of icing sugar or turned into Black Forest Cupcakes.
- Some occasions call for a cake with icing so that's what I did for my sisters wedding. I couldn't resist adding calendula petals from my garden.
What to Make with a Leftover Cake Layer
This recipe for quinoa chocolate cake makes two layers. For this three-layer cake you need to make the recipe twice so you'll have four layers. That means there will be one extra for the freezer.
Since there will also be leftover filling I typically make half a cake. Simply cut the cake in half, cover it with filling, top with the second half and finish with more filling on top. For fun you could even try and make a quarter of a cake with four layers.
This is what my friends call gourmet leftovers!
Top Tip for Entertaining
Whether you're taking this cake to an event or serving it to guests advance planning wins every time. Make the cake in well in advance and freeze the layers in an airtight container. Make the filling up to a week in advance too and this impressive dessert will come together quickly.
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Gluten Free German Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Quinoa Chocolate Cake (makes 2 layers so you will be making the recipe twice)
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- ⅓ cup milk
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup butter, melted
- 1½ cups white sugar
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Coconut-Pecan Filling
- 4 egg yolks
- 1-12 oz can evaporated milk (354ml)
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1½ cups white sugar
- ¾ cup butter
- 7 oz Angel flake coconut (200g)
- 1½ cups chopped pecans
Instructions
Makes two 8-inch cake layers
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease 2-8” round baking pans. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment and lightly grease the paper. Set aside.
- In a food processor or blender combine milk, eggs and vanilla.
- Add cooked quinoa and melted butter. Process for several minutes until smooth.
- Whisk together sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Add the quinoa mixture and stir until combined.
- Divide batter evenly between the 2 prepared cake pans.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before removing from pan. Can be made a day before assembling the cake.
- For a 3 layer cake make the entire recipe again. Freeze the extra layer or use that batter to make cupcakes.
Coconut-Pecan Filling
- Whisk egg yolks, milk and vanilla in large saucepan until mixed.
- Add sugar and butter. Cook on medium heat for 12 minutes or until thick and golden brown stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
- Stir in coconut and pecans. Mix well.
- Cool to desired spreading consistency. Can be made a day in advance and refrigerated.
Assembly
- Place once cake layer on a pedestal tray.
- Carefully spread a generous amount of filling on top of the cake.
- Add the second cake layer.
- Spread a generous amount of filling on top of the cake.
- Add the third cake layer and cover with more filling.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Steshni Corea
chocolatey goodness!
Cinde
This dessert ticks a lot of boxes for us and has become a favourite for family gatherings!