This rich, decadent, moist and tender paleo chocolate cake is made healthier with a blend of grain free flours, organic coconut oil and unrefined coconut sugar. The dairy-free “buttercream” frosting is out of this world delicious and NONE of it tastes paleo, even though it totally is!
Want more paleo baking recipes that taste just like the real deal? Purchase my book, Paleo Baking at Home here!
Guess what?! My birthday is tomorrow! Each year for my birthday, I make sure to post an extra-special recipe on the blog.
So, last year it was my maple pecan banana bread breakfast bake (not a cake, but special, trust me!). The year before that it was my beloved chocolate chip skillet cookies! That recipe remains one of my favorites on the blog, in truth.
In fact, I love it so much that I can’t help but make it for basically every gathering that requires a dessert!
But this year? We’re going all out with a paleo chocolate cake! Complete with an incredible dairy-free chocolate buttercream. A buttercream that will probably make you utter that famous phrase (I can’t believe it’s not…buttercream).
There it is – perfection! Rich and sweet, creamy, easy to spread and doesn’t melt. Score! I used a combination of palm oil shortening, coconut oil, raw cacao powder and homemade paleo powdered sugar.
If you haven’t made paleo powdered sugar yet, no worries. You simply blend coconut sugar with a bit of tapioca until it reaches a powdery consistency – done!
However, if you’re okay with cane sugar in this recipe, you can also use organic powdered sugar to make the frosting.
As for the cake itself, it’s very easy to make – nothing intimidating here! The batter is a combination of blanched almond flour, tapioca, and raw cacao, with dairy-free milk, eggs, coconut oil, and coconut sugar.
The size/shape of the cake you make is up to you. I chose to make this as an 8″ 3 layer cake, but you can also make it a 9″ 2 layer cake with no issue.
Additionally, you can make this recipe into a sheet pan cake or cupcakes for that matter – just make sure to check for doneness and adjust the baking times depending on what you’re making.
My family was completely obsessed with this paleo chocolate cake with the first bite – no joke here. Furthermore, even my picky chocolate-hating son (crazy, I know) somehow liked this cake!
The texture is moist and dense but not overly so, and it’s rich yet not too sweet. It’s obviously perfect for birthdays but also an awesome cake to serve for just about any gathering!
People won’t know this one is paleo – it’s just a good classic homemade chocolate cake in every way.
Back to my birthday! How do we feel about birthdays? I’ve always been torn about the whole30 “celebration” part of birthdays for myself.
I think after the age of 10 it started to feel strange for me to make a big deal about my birthday, even though a part of me wants to. Maybe it’s that nagging feeling about being the center of attention, or rather, asking to be the center of attention, and receiving rather than giving.
The whole attention/receiving thing definitely feels uncomfortable for me, I believe that’s the problem. It’s something I’m working on – and getting better at, I think! Because why shouldn’t each of us have one day out of the year to be the center of attention and receive, instead of give?
Let’s consider this Paleo chocolate cake a present for BOTH me and you. Let’s face it – I like to give and share, even on my birthday. If you make this chocolate cake, make sure to leave a comment or tag me on social media to let me know 🙂
I hope you’re ready for something delicious – grab an apron (chocolate is messy!) and let’s celebrate with the best (healthier) paleo chocolate cake!
Paleo Chocolate Cake with Chocolate “Buttercream” Frosting {GF, DF}
Paleo Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting {GF, DF}
Ingredients
Chocolate buttercream frosting:
- 1/2 cup palm oil shortening
- 1/2 cup coconut oil solid but softened slightly**
- 1 cup organic powdered sugar or paleo powdered sugar*
- 1/2 cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
Cake:
- 4 large eggs room temp
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or other non-dairy milk or other non-dairy milk, room temp
- 1 cup organic coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup organic coconut oil melted and cooled
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
- 1/3 cup tapioca flour
- 1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
Cake:
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Prepare the cake first. You can make this cake in 3 8” layers (what I did) or 2 9” layers. Baking times will vary slightly, so watch for doneness.
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line your cake pans with parchment OR grease lightly with coconut oil.
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In one mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, tapioca, cacao or cocoa powder, baking soda and salt, then set aside.
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In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, coconut sugar, and coconut oil until very smooth. Immediately stir in the dry mixture and stir well (you can also use an electric beater) until a smooth batter forms.
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Divide batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and place on middle racks of your oven (nearer to the top is preferred)
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Bake 15-25 minutes depending on your cake pans - cake is done once the center is set and a toothpick inserted near the center of one layer comes out clean.
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Cool cake layers on wired racks while you prepare the frosting.
Frosting:
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Use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together the shortening and coconut oil until mostly smooth and fluffy. Add in the powdered sugar of choice and cacao or cocoa powder and continue to beat, then add 2 Tbsp of the milk and continue beating. Add in the vanilla and the last Tbsp milk slowly to reach the desired consistency.
Assemble Cake:
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To make the cake easier to frost, chill the layers first, OR use this “crumb layer” method. Frosting will be creamy at room temp and harden quickly when chilled, however, you can easily re-beat it to a creamy consistency if you’d like to store it in the fridge.
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Place the first layer carefully on a cake stand, turntable, or plate. Using an offset spatula or butter knife, frost the top of the first layer, then place second layer on top and repeat. Repeat with the third layer and frost around the outside of the cake as desired.
Recipe Notes
*To make powdered sugar with coconut sugar, place 2 cups coconut sugar with 2 Tbsp tapioca or arrowroot flour in a food processor and blend/pulse until you get a powdery consistency. Use 1 cup of this mixture for the frosting recipe. **I like the texture using both coconut oil and palm shortening, but if you’d rather not use both, palm oil shortening alone will work. Do not use coconut oil alone.
Nutrition
Shop Products and Ingredients:
Want More Paleo Cake and Cupcake Recipes? Try One of These!
Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla “Buttercream” Frosting
Spice Cake with Cinnamon “Cream Cheese” Frosting
Carrot Cake with Coconut “Cream Cheese” Frosting
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple “Cream Cheese” Frosting
Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache
Classic Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake
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WOW this cake looks AMAZING! Perfect for birthdays!
Yummy.
very nice and easy recipe time consuming good work
Could butter work instead of palm oil shortening?
Can i substitute almond flour as my daughter is allergic…
What would you use as an alternative?
Can I use flax eggs instead of regular eggs?
wow, this just looks so good! I have to be egg free. Do you think this will work with chia or flax egg?
I know this is an old post but whipped/liquid aquafaba will work 3 Tbsp equals one egg.
Happy Birthday! What a lovely cake, this one will definitely be at the top of my chocolate cake list. Simple yet decadent, who wouldn’t live that? Hope you have a wonderful day.
Thank you so much!
Happy Birthday, Michele! This birthday cake looks like the perfect cake to celebrate with!
Can I use grass fed butter instead of palm oil shortening? If so, would it be the same measurement?
Made this last night and it was a hit! I love the fact it is dairy free and gluten free. I snuck a taste of the frosting and I just knew it would be a win. I recently found your website- and I have already enjoyed the quiche and now the chocolate cake. Happy Belated Birthday!!! Thank you!!!
Just wondering if you think a chia or flax egg will work in this cake recipe? I have to be egg free. Thank you for your help. Love your recipes
I made this tonight and it came out amazing! Took exactly 15 min in my oven. I needed a little extra Almond Milk for my frosting. Overall both the cake and frosting were phenomenal and the recipe was easy!
I just made this, actually eating a piece at the moment, and it is wonderful!
Just wondering how to store it? Counter or fridge?
Also, I think you left off the vanilla in the cake instructions..
Any ways…thank you for the recipe. I haven’t had chocolate cake since going gluten free over a year ago!!
What can be subbed for the palm oil shortening ? I would like to make this for my birthday tomorrow.
What other brand of palm oil can you use? Can you use Nativa shortening? It’s a blend of palm oil and coconut oil
I actually made this recipe tonight and it was absolutely delicious. A serious show-stopper. It was for my moms birthday, her and my dad have been paleo for months and she’s always struggling to find a decent paleo sweets recipe so when I made this she completely fell in love. I’m not exaggerating when I say you can’t tell this is paleo! You can’t go wrong with this recipe. It made my mom’s birthday extra special 🙂
Oh that’s amazing to hear! Love that you made it for your mom’s birthday and it all worked out 🙂
This cake tastes SO. GOOD. We are not GF, but I made this for my son’s bday party to be allergy friendly. We think it tastes better than “regular” chocolate cake! It did collapse a bit in the middle, but I’m still learning high altitude baking, so it is likely my error, not the recipe. I would recommend sticking to 8″ pans, not 9″, as this could’ve also been why mine were a tad ugly. Just cover it with frosting, though, and no one will know! 🙂
I made traditional buttercream frosting, not the recipe’s, but I’m sure it’s equally delicious.
Hello. Looking forward to making this cake. Wondering… can you make ahead and store/freeze?
Thanks 🙂
Suggested cooking time as cupcakes? I want to make this for my daughters birthday this weekend. Thank you!
This was sooo amazing, i made this for my mom’s birthday and wow so satisfying
I wish that I could give it so many more stars. I have not been able to eat cake due to food/stomach issues. I made this cake for my sister in laws birthday and I am the only one not allowed to eat gluten, etc..
Everyone RAVED about the cake. This cake is moist, chocolaty, and was easy to make. The frosting was amazing. I can’t believe that I can now eat cake. Can’t wait to make some cupcakes too. I will say it again – Michele’s recipes are always so amazing. I appreciate your hard work to provide delicious recipes. Thank you.
Michele, this cake is better than any chocolate cake I’ve made. It’s SO good. Thank you! The consistency is spot on. I did change a few things since I didn’t have almond milk today- I used a shot of espresso mixed with a bit of coconut cream instead in both the cake and frosting. I also have to reduce the carbs a bit, so I used allulose instead of coconut sugar in the cake, and powdered Lankanto(monk fruit/erythritol) as sweetener in the frosting. I swapped one for one on both. My favorite cake now, thanks for sharing!!!?
I notice the recipe ingredients calls for vanilla… But the instructions never say to add the vanilla so my cake was made without it
can I use flax egg instead regular eggs?
Absolutely loved this cake! Just the right amount of sweetness, simple ingredients, easy instructions, not too time consuming. Mine looked just like in Michele’s pictures though I added some raspberry jam between layers and sprinkles on top. Thank you so much for this recipe that I will sure be using again.
Hi!
Which cake pans do you recommend?
Thx
This looks amazing! Can I use grassfed butter instead of coconut oil for the cake recipe?
This is my “go-to” chocolate cake. I use an avocado-based chocolate frosting instead of this buttercream. I’ve brought the cake to parties and nobody believes it’s gluten, dairy, and refined-sugar free! Thank you for fulfilling our chocolate dreams!!!
Tastes great! I didn’t have 8″ pans so I used my 9″ but it was hardly enough batter for them. Came out pretty flat and didn’t really rise. I’ll have to get some 8″ but idk that I’ll have enough batter for 3. Only thing I swapped was the sugar but I dont think would have done. I’ll keep trying! 🙂
Hi Michele. I’m loving all of your recipes. My husband is going to make the Paleo chocolate cake for my birthday on Tuesday. Can’t wait! We can’t find palm oil shortening anywhere!! Any suggestions on a substitute?
Storage tips if we make the night before?
I stored mine in the fridge overnight and took it out to let it come to room temp a few hours before serving. It was perfect that way.
My family loved this recipe. The only issue I had was I didn’t feel like the recipe made enough frosting. I’ll increase it by half next time. Otherwise it was by far the best paleo cake I’ve ever had. You really can’t tell it’s paleo. I also added 1 tbsp of instant coffee to the batter to add some richness to the flavor and it was delicious.
Can I use lakanto monfruit sweetener or xylitol in place of coconut sugar bc I dont have coconut sugar.
AMAZING!! The only change I made was putting mixed berry jam in between the layers and this cake tastes better than any chocolate cake I’ve ever had! Thank you for an awesome recipe!!!
can i put less sugar?
I ended up making this with 3/4 cups of sugar in the batter instead of 1 cup, and overall, have to stay this cake is still way too sweet, but good otherwise
Does this frosting pipe well onto cupcakes?
What can I substituted coconut oil for, since my daughter is allergic to coconut?
Maybe you could use ghee if she isn’t allergic to that. I substituted for ghee just for the flavor
Awesome article. Thanks for the information.
For anyone that came to the comments to decide if they should try this recipe because every other paleo cake you’ve attempted to make was a failure… You can rest assured, YES. MAKE THIS CAKE! It’s perfection! And follow. The. Recipe. If you do, it’ll be beautiful and so chocolatey! And if you want cupcakes, just bake them at 370°f for 15-20 mins and they’re perfect! This is better than the traditional cake I baked as a professional baker! So good, thank you for the recipe! 😘
My son really wants chocolate cake with vanilla frosting- is there an easy way to make the frosting vanilla instead of chocolate, or should I just use a whole different frosting recipe?
This recipe is amazing and so forgiving. I made this for my grandma birthday, she’s diabetic and I made some modifications. I used 1 cup almond flour, half a cup sunflower seed flour, 1/2 tsp liquid stevia and 1/4 cup coconut sugar to avoid the bitter after taste (also put half a cup of finely grated zucchini to give some volume), used mixed berry jam between layers and avocado chocolate frosting and it was a bit hit. I cannot thank you enough for this recipe and several more I’ve made and loved
Hands down the best cake I’ve ever had, gluten free or not. I’ve made it 5x within the last few months it’s so damn tasty!
This has become my go-to cake. I make it in one 9 inch pan and then cut it in half (I have to cook it for about 35-40 minutes). Then, I add dulce de leche in the middle and fruit and flowers on the top. It looks amazing, and is the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had- gluten free, paleo, or whatever. I also use liquid coconut oil (the one that doesn’t have a smell) for the cake and it comes out perfect. I haven’t tried the buttercream because I’m not a huge fan, but I just have to say I don’t think it needs any frosting at all.
Is there a good egg substitute that could make this vegan?
Wowowowow it’s as good as she said it is! I did it in a 9 x 13 just to make it easy and my husband and I both absolutely loved this.
I’m thrilled to hear that you and your husband enjoyed it! Your feedback makes me even more eager to give it a try. Thanks for sharing your experience!
OMG this cake and buttercream frosting is awesome. I just made it for a birthday yesterday. I made it in two 7 1/2 square inch pans so that I could double layer it. Wow!!! delicious. The cake was easy to make and so was the frosting. This is my new favorite. Thank you.
Hi Michele,
I want to make this cake for my little grandson who has gluten, dairy, and nut allergies.
Can the recipe be adjusted for “nut free” as well? What would be the changes?
Thank you so much for this website and your recipes.
I will definitely be trying them.
Hi, I am new at all of this. Recently told I have the highest level of gluten that this doctor has ever reviewed. Plus I have a “leaky gut”. I am currently grain free and on a elimination diet. My coach says paleo is good.
I haven’t been a cooking very much the last several years as my kids are all gone now. And it is just my husband and I.
I feel like I have it the wall. I have ahard time finding ingredients and it feels like so much
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Absolutely love this recipe one of my favorites!!
Have you tried using flax eggs in this recipe? I need an egg free option chocolate cake.
I just wanted you to take a few moments to thank you for the time that you spent on your blog. It was really interesting to read.