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Chocolate Frosted Layer Cake {Grain-Free, Dairy-Free Option}

If you are looking for an upgraded chocolate frosting cake, this recipe is for you. With a grain-free cake base and a buttercream chocolate frosting, it is a crowd-pleasing dessert with which to celebrate.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 10 servings

Equipment

  • 2 6-inch cake pans
  • hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Mixing bowls

Ingredients
  

For the cake

  • 2 cups almond flour
  • ¾ cup coconut sugar
  • ¼ cup coconut flour
  • ¼ cup tapioca flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup dairy-free milk of choice I used unsweetened almond milk
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ¼ cup coconut nectar or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting

  • 1 cup grass-fed butter room temperature; can sub with vegan butter or palm shortening
  • 1 cup powdered monk fruit
  • cup cacao powder or cocoa powder

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix the almond flour, coconut sugar, coconut flour, tapioca flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to blend.
  • In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, dairy-free milk, applesauce, coconut nectar or maple syrup, and vanilla extract until creamy.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the flour mixture. Beat until a batter is formed, increasing the speed as needed. Let the batter rest in the mixing bowl for 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray two 6-inch cake pans with cooking spray.
  • After the batter has rested for 20 minutes, evenly distribute the batter between the two cake pans, using a spatula to spread and even to the sides. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean, or the internal temperature of the cakes is 180℉ to 190℉. Allow the cakes to completely cool in the cake pans, about 1-2 hours.
  • Meanwhile, make the frosting. Place the grass-fed butter in a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer until fluffy, about 30 seconds. Gradually add the powdered monk fruit and cacao powder and continue to beat until frosting consistency is reached. You will probably have to intermittently scrape down the sides with a spatula and beat again. You can also use a whisk to beat by hand.
  • Using a spatula, mix the frosting. Once the cakes have completely cooled, frost the top of one cake, spreading the frosting evenly. Place the other cake on top, and use the rest of the frosting to frost the top and around the sides.

Notes

Equipment and bake time: You can make this recipe into cupcakes. Bake time will be 20 to 24 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. You can also use 9-inch cake pans. Reduce baking time by a few minutes - checking at 25 minutes and baking until 28 or 30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. 
For the chocolate frosting, you can use both butter and coconut oil by following this recipe.
Keyword Dairy-free optional, Gluten-free, Grain-free, Keto-friendly, Oil-free, Paleo-Option, Soy-free