The Chocolate Quinoa Cake has the texture of a traditional cake, yet no special flours are required. This is pure, sweet Chocolate Cake.
This cake has blown my mind. Just writing about it here makes me grin as I think about how perfectly moist, rich, and chocolatey it is.
Quinoa Chocolate Cake
When I first saw this recipe, I did a double-take because I had never before run across anything quite like it. A flourless chocolate cake made with quinoa?
I first heard about a Quinoa Chocolate Cake over at Mel’s Kitchen Cafe almost 10 years ago. The recipe is originally from Quinoa 365 and even if you think you hate quinoa, my friends, this cake is going to change your mind. I say that without any doubt at all.
I make a Flourless Chocolate Cake at least a couple of times a year and it is one of my favorite recipes. The Chocolate Quinoa Cake, on the other hand, has the texture of a traditional cake, yet with no special flours required.
All you need is a couple of scoops of cooked quinoa. While I was initially very skeptical, I assure you that you absolutely positively can NOT taste the quinoa in this recipe.
Chocolate Quinoa Cake
This cake wowed both my family and our dinner guests who are accustomed to eating traditional sweets. Even knowing that the cake was made from quinoa, I couldn’t detect an odd taste or texture.
(And you know just how fussy I am about GF desserts and any odds textures or smells – some of those gluten-free flours are pretty bad!)
You don’t have to take my word for it either. There are dozens of 5 star reviews of this recipe at the bottom of this post.
This Quinoa Chocolate Cake has become a go-to dessert for many people who don’t normally cook or bake gluten-free, but enjoy being able to surprise friends with a gluten-free option without having to keep specialty flours and starches on hand.
This, my friends, is pure, sweet, and tender chocolate cake. After eating a slice the next day for breakfast, I sent the rest of it to the office with my husband. This is a very dangerous cake.
Kitchen Tip: I use this blender or this food processor to make this recipe.
Quinoa Chocolate Cake Recipe
Cake Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two round cake pans (or a 9×13 pan) and then line the bottoms of the pans with parchment. (Do not skip the parchment if you want to be able to flip the cake out of the pan.)
- Combine the milk, eggs and vanilla in the blender or food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Add the cooked quinoa and the butter and puree until completely smooth.
- Stop the machine as needed to scrape the sides and make sure everything is well mixed. This will be a thick and creamy consistency once the quinoa is pureed. (You should not see any little beads of quinoa in the pureed mixture.) Whisk together the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and add the contents from the blender. Stir until well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans and bake on a center oven rack for 28-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove the cakes from the oven and let cool 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire cooling rack. Peel off the parchment and let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
Frosting Instructions
- Place the chocolate chips in a medium size glass bowl. Heat the cream in a medium saucepan until is gently simmers. Remove from the heat and pour over the chocolate. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes or so and then whisk to combine until it is smooth and glossy.
- Refrigerate and let cool completely. (2-3 hours in the refrigerator or about an hour in the freezer.) When fully chilled. use a mixer to whip the chocolate cream into soft peaks.
- Place one cake layer upside down on a plate. Scoop half the frosting onto that layer and gently spread it across almost to the edge. Place the other layer on top of the frosting and top with the remaining frosting. Chill 2-3 hours before serving to allow the frosting to set. Enjoy!
This recipe has been so popular as a gluten-free option that requires no special ingredients. I’ve gathered up a collection of 15 easy, inexpensive Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes that Require No Special Ingredients.
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Check out the full collection of Gluten Free Baking Recipes on this website!
Unforgettable Chocolate Quinoa Cake
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked quinoa loosely packed
- ⅓ cup milk
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup butter melted and slightly cooled
- 1½ cups white sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Frosting Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
Cake Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two round cake pans (or a 9×13 pan) and then line the bottoms of the pans with parchment. (Do not skip the parchment if you want to be able to flip the cake out of the pan.)
- Combine the milk, eggs and vanilla in the blender or food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Add the cooked quinoa and the butter and puree until completely smooth.
- Stop the machine as needed to scrape the sides and make sure everything is well mixed. This will be a thick and creamy consistency once the quinoa is pureed. (You should not see any little beads of quinoa in the pureed mixture.) Whisk together the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and add the contents from the blender. Stir until well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans and bake on a center oven rack for 28-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove the cakes from the oven and let cool 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire cooling rack. Peel off the parchment and let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
Frosting Instructions
- Place the chocolate chips in a medium size glass bowl. Heat the cream in a medium saucepan until is gently simmers. Remove from the heat and pour over the chocolate. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes or so and then whisk to combine until it is smooth and glossy.
- Refrigerate and let cool completely. (2-3 hours in the refrigerator or about an hour in the freezer.) When fully chilled. use a mixer to whip the chocolate cream into soft peaks.
- Place one cake layer upside down on a plate. Scoop half the frosting onto that layer and gently spread it across almost to the edge. Place the other layer on top of the frosting and top with the remaining frosting. Chill 2-3 hours before serving to allow the frosting to set. Enjoy!
Nutrition
{originally published 8/28/13 – recipe notes updated 8/4/22}
Anna says
Best gluten free cake EVER! I have several friends who are gluten free. I googled ‘gluten free cake recipe with regular ingredients’ and stumbled upon this recipe. I am making it for the fourth time and am still WOWED with just how delicious this darn cake is a fourth time! Also. Have made it in a Bundt pan with no issues. Takes about 50-55 minutes. Thanks for providing me with this fantastic recipe for my gluten free friends, who assure me it is by far the best cake ever!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you’re enjoying the cake so much, Anna!
Eliza Sprackett says
What a fantastic recipe ! I like adding chopped pecans to it and sometimes a knob of beetroot to the egg mixture to make it like a red velvet ! Thank you for sharing this gem. It’s my GO TO.
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled to hear it, Eliza! Love that red velvet twist too.
Natasha says
My mother in law is gluten free and gave me this recipe a long time ago, it’s absolutely fantastic. I’ve used it for my sons first and second birthday, Christmas parties, Easter and so on. I’ve even made it into cake pops! Everyone always gobbles it up and comments on how moist and delicious it is! ❤️
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you love the recipe, Natasha.
Mary-Ellen says
How long do you need to blend to get rid of the little beads? I’m going on 5 mins in my kitchen aid food processor. About to give up and switch to my blender and hope for the best…
Mary-Ellen says
Also, do you have a suggested cooking time for cupcakes? Also, I left some batter and I’m going to try it in my waffle press! Switching to my blender worked out. Good thing I just bought a blender a few weeks ago! The lumps were never getting blended in my food processor
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad it worked for you in the blender. I would test for doneness around 22 minutes and add more time as needed, Mary-Ellen.
Heather Sabo says
I love this recipe and have made it many times. I’m wondering if its possible to make for someone who is diabetic / sugarfree? Have you tried a xylitol or stevia substitute by chance?
Mary Younkin says
I haven’t tried that myself, Heather.
Lorraine says
I’ve made several things with sugar substitutes. I think you’ll have the best results using a xylitol blend like monk fruit or stevia with the sugar alcohol granules. You need something with the same structure as the regular sugar. Should be able to use the same measurements (1& 1/2 cup) for the sub. Let us know how it runs out!!
britt says
I made this cake the other day. Wow, it was very simple to make and SO delicious. I used brown sugar instead of white, this was my only substitution. The icing was delicious, I would suggest making the icing before starting the cake, so you can eat the cake sooner!! I will certainly be making this again.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the cake, Britt.
Jeanne Koshick says
How long do you recommend blending the quinoa? I was afraid to go too long. Not sure how it will turn out. Going to throw it in the oven. still a few beads but small.
Mary Younkin says
I would just blend it until it’s smooth, Jeanne. The texture you described should be fine.
Sara says
So excited to try this recipe! Just wondering how much uncooked quinoa yields two cups cooked quinoa (since it puffs up significantly)? Thanks in advance!
Mary Younkin says
Quinoa typically cooks up to about 4x it’s uncooked size. So, this would be approximately 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa. I typically make a little extra, just in case.
kathy says
Hi, I want to make this cake for my daughter’s birthday. what size diameter round cake pans do you use?
Mary Younkin says
I typically use 8 or 9″ round pans, Kathy.
Jacky says
The cake is very thin – flavour is delicious but very thin even when combining all in one pan. The frosting did not fluff up or become the right consistency at all so I added some powdered sugar which helped. I’ve been baking for a while so this wasn’t my first time!
Mary Younkin says
Hi Jackie, I’m not sure which part of the cake was thin for you. Was it a frosting issue? or a cake issue? I use 8-inch pans to make this, if I am making two layers.
Mary Simmons says
Best cake ever, gluten free wins big time!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like it, Mary.
Lisa says
I’ve made this many times and we love it! Has anyone made cupcakes with this recipe? If so, any tips? What is baking time for cupcakes?
Mary Younkin says
Yes, you can make cupcakes with this, Lisa. I don’t know the times.
Diane says
Looks delicious. Can you use olive oil instead of butter? Also, have you tried making it in a Bundt pan?
Mary Younkin says
Diane, I have not tried either of those things so I am not sure how well the cake would turn out. I can tell you that when subbing olive oil for butter in baking you will use less oil. Typically a 3:4 ratio. If you try it let us know!
Tiana Ingram says
Hi! This sounds so good!! Has anyone tried to use honey in place of the white sugar? Just curious if it would work. 🙂
michelle says
i tried this and it did not work its mushy, and wont cut
Mary Younkin says
Michelle, Hmmm I have not had any issues there. I would suggest starting by reviewing the recipe quantities to make sure something wasn’t missed.
Mary says
This cake is awesome! Everyone I have served it to I can’t believe it’s gluten free. It is truly a decadent, delicious cake!
Mary Younkin says
I love hearing that, Mary! I’m thrilled it’s a hit.
Martha says
Just like others said, an amazing cake and frosting. It does take some time, cook quinoa and chill. Chill the whipping cream before you whip it.
But every time I make this cake everyone loves it.
I am not GF, but happy make it anyway!!
Mary Younkin says
That’s awesome, Martha! I’m glad the recipe is a keeper for you.
Amber Zimmer says
Does it matter which type of quinoa I use? I have the tri-color. Thanks!
Mary Younkin says
Hi, Amber. You should be able to use tri-color quinoa in the recipe, but depending on the strength of the blend, there might be a savory/nutty aftertaste. If you decide to try making the cake with your tri-color blend, let me know how it turns out!
Amber Zimmer says
I used the tricolor quinoa, and it turned out great! Definitely cannot tell it’s gluten-free. So yummy!
Mary Younkin says
Glad to hear that it turned out well, Amber!
Mandy says
I would love to try this it looks delicious – but am allergic to eggs. Do you have a suggestion for a substitute?
Mary Younkin says
I’ve never made this without eggs, Mandy.
Kelcy says
Hey Mary,
Have you ever baked and frozen the layers? I’m tempted to try just to get ahead during a busy week.
Mary Younkin says
I haven’t frozen this particular cake, but I’m guessing it will work fine, Kelcy.