Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 50 min. + cooling

Makes

16 servings

Updated: Dec. 29, 2022
This gluten-free chocolate cake is a yummy treat that everyone can enjoy. Sometimes I stir in gluten-free chocolate chips or chopped nuts for variety. —Nichele McCague, Poway, California
Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons plus 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose baking flour, divided
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a 10-in. fluted tube pan using 3 tablespoons gluten-free flour.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the remaining 2 cups flour and next 9 ingredients. In another bowl, combine water, almond milk, oil and vanilla until well blended. Gradually beat flour mixture into milk mixture.
  3. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 50-55 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Tips

Can you make this gluten-free chocolate cake recipe dairy-free?

This gluten-free chocolate cake is already dairy-free and vegan, too—thanks to the use of flaxseed instead of eggs, and almond milk instead of its dairy counterpart!

Can you use this gluten-free chocolate cake recipe to make gluten-free cupcakes?

Yes, you can use this recipe to make cupcakes. Fill foil- or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Or, try this gluten-free chocolate cupcake recipe.

How should you store gluten-free chocolate cake?

Store gluten-free chocolate cake in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. If you liked this recipe, you'll love more of our gluten-free baking recipes. You can use your favorite store-bought gluten-free flour blend or a homemade gluten-free flour blend to make most of them.

—Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home senior food editor

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 310 calories, 17g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 339mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein.