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    Home » Recipes » Gluten Free Dessert

    Quinoa Chocolate Cake (gluten free)

    Published: Jan 30, 2024 by Cinde LittleThis post may contain affiliate links15 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Made with quinoa that has been cooked and then pureed, this Quinoa Chocolate Cake just might be the family favourite you've been looking for. Some celebrations simply need cake, and now that's gluten free cake. Because there are no gluten free flours or special ingredients to buy, this is the kind of cake anyone can make and the whole family will enjoy.

    Quinoa Chocolate Cake with whipped cream and raspberry syrup.

    Family traditions need to change when people have dietary restrictions. Not everyone is as flexible as you might hope but you can introduce a cake like this anytime and surprise people. You never know, it might be a hit.

    That's what happened when I made my German Chocolate Cake version.

    Jump to:
    • 🎂 Ingredients
    • ❤️ Variations
    • Top Tip
    • 📝 Quinoa Chocolate Cake (gluten free)

    🎂 Ingredients

    Cooked quinoa is pureed to a smooth consistency for a moist cake with a light texture and rich chocolate taste. No one will ever guess it's gluten free.

    • Cooked quinoa & eggs - This is what gives this cake the body it needs to hold together.
    • milk
    • vanilla
    • butter
    • white sugar
    • cocoa powder
    • Baking powder & baking soda - Two leaveners are often used in gluten free baking to help lighten up the finished product.
    • OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: whipped cream and/or raspberry sauce

    See recipe card for exact amounts.

    ❤️ Variations

    This is the versatile cake recipe. I've made Black Forest Cupcakes with leftover cherry pie filling from a cooking class. For one family birthday my three-layer German Chocolate cake is always requested. It's just like the one my mom used to make with a sweet coconut-pecan filling.

    A fork digging into a gluten free Black Forest Cupcake with the cherry pie filling oozing out onto the plate.
    Gluten Free Black Forest Cupcakes
    A three layer German Chocolate Cake with coconut-pecan filling on a pedestal tray.
    German Chocolate Cake

    I've even taken a single layer, cut it in half, spread one half with lemon curd and stacked the other on top to make half of a two-layer cake.

    For Valentine's Day top this cake with whipped cream, colourful heart-shaped candy sprinkles and homemade raspberry sauce. Bake this cake in a heart-shaped pan if you have one, that brings compliments anytime of year.

    A piece of quinoa chocolate cake with Valentine's sprinkles.
    Quinoa chocolate cake
    Heart shaped Quinoa Chocolate Cake surrounded by red fruit; strawberries, raspberries and red grapes.
    Valentines Quinoa Chocolate Cake

    Top Tip

    Smart cooks have great recipes they can vary in many ways. This is one of those recipes that can be reinvented every time you make it. From cupcakes to a chocolate layer cake it never disappoints. Share it with all your family and friends.

    A heart shaped Quinoa Chocolate Cake with one wedge cut out and topped with whipped cream and raspberry syrup.

    📝 Quinoa Chocolate Cake (gluten free)

    This is a naturally gluten free cake made with cooked pureed quinoa instead of flour. It's chocolatey, moist and delicious and no one would guess it's gluten free. With lots of ways to vary it this can become the family go-to celebration cake.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Canadian
    Keyword: quinoa chocolate cake
    Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 436kcal
    Author: Cinde Little

    Ingredients

    QUINOA CHOCOLATE CAKE

    • 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

    TOPPING

    • 1 cup whipped cream
    • raspberry sauce (optional)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350F. Line two 8-inch round or heart-shaped baking pans with parchment. 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 very smooth.
    • In a medium bowl stir sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt to combine. 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.

    SERVING

    • Serve cake with whipped cream and raspberry sauce if desired.

    Notes

    This is the perfect recipe for families who cook for someone on a gluten free diet since it doesn't require buying gluten free flour.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    📝 Quinoa Chocolate Cake (gluten free)
    Amount Per Serving (1 piece)
    Calories 436 Calories from Fat 216
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 24g37%
    Saturated Fat 14g88%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 7g
    Cholesterol 135mg45%
    Sodium 472mg21%
    Potassium 306mg9%
    Carbohydrates 55g18%
    Fiber 5g21%
    Sugar 39g43%
    Protein 8g16%
    Vitamin A 721IU14%
    Calcium 104mg10%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    __________________________________________________________________________

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Anne

      December 30, 2024 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      Delicious sweet treat

      Reply
    2. Anne

      December 30, 2024 at 10:39 am

      5 stars
      Yum

      Reply
    3. Wendy

      March 26, 2024 at 12:28 pm

      Hi Aunty Cinde,
      Does this cake freeze well?
      At what temperature should I cook for cup cakes?

      Reply
      • Cinde Little

        March 26, 2024 at 10:22 pm

        Hi Wendy! Yes, the cake freezes well. Just wrap it up good or put it in an airtight container. This is the link to the cupcake version and they cook at 350F for 18-20 minutes. Happy Baking!

        Reply
    4. Colleen May

      February 15, 2024 at 9:45 am

      This is a delicious cake! Whole family loved it!

      Reply
      • Cinde Little

        February 16, 2024 at 6:45 am

        Thanks for letting me know Colleen and I'm glad everyone loved it! It's the perfect recipe for any family that needs a 'go-to' gluten free cake.

        Reply
    5. jody

      February 03, 2022 at 3:43 pm

      I am vegan. This cake looks awesome! Can chia eggs be substituted for the eggs or another suggestion?

      Reply
      • Cinde Little

        February 03, 2022 at 10:58 pm

        Hi Jody! I haven’t used egg replacers myself but these are the 3 most common ones I see.
        1 egg = a rounded 1/2 Tbsp dry egg replacer powder + 2 Tbsp filtered water
        1 egg = 1 Tbsp ground flax seed + 3 Tbsp filtered water
        1 egg = 1 Tbsp chia seed + 3 Tbsp filtered water
        I think there is more to learn as I often hear people say it didn't work for them. I checked over at http://www.justastasty.com/ by Taleen, a gluten free, egg free baking blog. She doesn't have a quinoa chocolate cake but she would be the person to ask if you want to know more before you give it a try. Happy baking!

        Reply
        • Jody

          February 07, 2022 at 1:00 pm

          Thank you Cinde!

          Reply
          • Cinde Little

            February 07, 2022 at 5:23 pm

            Your most welcome Jody!

            Reply
      • Cinde Little

        February 04, 2022 at 1:21 pm

        Hi again Jody. I checked with Taleen over at Just As Tasty and she pointed out that this quinoa cake is “egg heavy” with 4 eggs. That’s to provide structure and make up for the lack of flour so you might be better to try her chocolate cake (https://www.justastasty.com/flourless-chocolate-cake/). She also suggested replacing 1 egg with 1/4 cup of applesauce, mashed banana or Greek yogurt (obviously not vegan). I hope that gives you lots of ideas to create a chocolate cake that you love!

        Reply
        • jody

          February 07, 2022 at 1:04 pm

          I appreciate you following up on my question. May try her flourless cake or yours substituting applesauce. Your recipe reminded me of an Italian chocolate cake (1 layer) recipe using cornmeal. It is delicious, but uses eggs, and I no longer eat eggs.

          Reply
          • Cinde Little

            February 07, 2022 at 5:22 pm

            There's always a quest to recreate something delicious from your past. Good luck with your adventure.

            Reply
    6. Deborah Ryder

      August 20, 2021 at 7:25 pm

      Is it possible to substitute the milk in the recipe with Almond milk?

      Reply
      • Cinde Little

        August 20, 2021 at 7:52 pm

        Hi Deborah! Yes, make it with almond milk. I haven't tried it myself but several people have told me they've made this cake with non-dairy milk alternatives and loved it. It's moist, chocolaty and delicious!

        Reply

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    A heart shaped Quinoa Chocolate Cake with one piece on a plate topped with whipped cream and raspberry sauce.

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