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This sugar free chocolate cake is so moist, rich, and decadent, you won't believe that it's actually a healthy chocolate cake! Made with a creamy chocolate frosting, and with a tender crumb, this cake has no sugar and is low-calorie, but tastes just like a traditional chocolate cake!
You really can't go wrong with a slice of this healthy no sugar chocolate cake. With its velvety texture, irresistible flavors, and double chocolate layers, you can literally have your cake and eat it too, guilt-free!
All you need is a handful of simple ingredients to make this no-sugar chocolate cake. Thanks to everyday pantry staples, this cake comes together to create a fudgy and indulgent treat. The best part: it's completely sugar free, allowing you to satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising on taste!
If you're hosting any special gatherings or simply want to treat yourself to a delicious chocolate dessert, this healthy chocolate cake with no sugar fits the bill! An excellent choice for birthdays, anniversaries, or any celebration where you can treat your loved ones and chocolate lovers to a delicious sugar free dessert.
This really is THE BEST sugar free chocolate cake recipe ever!
👩🏽🍳 Why This Recipe Works
- Moist Chocolate Cake Without Sugar: Satisfy your chocolate cravings with zero added sugar, without compromising on taste or sweetness.
- Simple Pantry Ingredients: Made with everyday items, making it easy to whip up!
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve it as a standalone treat, or dress it up with your favorite frosting or toppings.
- Diabetic And Allergen Friendly: This really is a diabetic chocolate cake recipe since it has zero sugar, and it also happens to be vegan and dairy-free too!
- Effortless Preparation: A super easy recipe for both beginner and experienced bakers.
- Crowd-Pleasing Delight: This is a great recipe for special occasions or a casual gathering! No matter when you serve it, this no-sugar cake recipe is sure to impress and satisfy. From those with dietary restrictions to chocolate enthusiasts, this cake is a delightful option that caters to a wide range of preferences.
Latest Recipe Video!
🥘 Ingredients
This zero sugar cake requires simple ingredients easily found at any grocery store! Here's what you need:
- Wet Ingredients: The wet ingredients for this chocolate sugar free cake recipe include lemon juice for a tangy brightness, almond milk for a creamy base, and olive oil for moisture and richness.
- Dry Ingredients: All-purpose flour creates the cake's structure, baking powder is used for leavening, unsweetened cocoa powder for a deep chocolate flavor, and a pinch of salt for balance.
- Sweetener: The erythritol is what makes this chocolate cake sugar free. It's a fantastic sugar alternative, bringing just the right amount of sweetness to the no-sugar cake without any of the adverse effects of sugar.
- Vanilla Extract: The addition of vanilla extract to the recipe enhances the aromatic profile of this moist sugar free chocolate cake, infusing it with a warm and inviting scent.
- Chocolate Ganache: Made with creamy coconut cream and vegan sugar free chocolate, this ganache adds a layer of pure bliss to the no sugar chocolate cake. (you can also use regular sugar free milk chocolate if you don't need this recipe to be vegan).
🍲 Substitutions
- Non-Dairy Milk: I used almond milk for this sugar free cake recipe. Feel free to replace almond milk with alternatives like soy, oat, or cashew milk. Whatever plant milk you usually use will work great! Absolutely! Feel free to use other non-dairy milk options such as soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Just ensure they are unsweetened to keep the recipe sugar free.
- Flour: I haven't tested this recipe with alternative flours like whole wheat flour or almond flour, and while they may work, they will change the texture of this cake completely, so I don't recommend them.
- Oil Alternative: If olive oil is unavailable, melted coconut oil or vegetable oil can be used as a suitable substitute.
- Low-Carb Sweeteners: If erythritol is not on hand, try this sugarless chocolate cake recipe with monk fruit sweetener, xylitol, stevia, or allulose as sugar free alternatives.
🔪 How To Make A Sugar Free Chocolate Cake
Unlock the secrets of crafting the best easy sugar free cake recipe with this step-by-step guide. Get ready to impress with your baking skills!
Prep & Combine Wet Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180C). Line 2 x 6 inch round cake pans with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix the lemon juice and almond milk together, set aside while preparing dry ingredients.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, salt and erythritol in a large mixing bowl until well combined. Next, mix the vanilla extract and oil into the milk mixture.
Combine Wet And Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until smooth.
Add Batter to Cake Tins: Evenly divide the sugarless cake batter between the prepared cake tins and bake for 25-35 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.
Cool: Allow the cakes to cool in the tins for 15 minutes before turning out on to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make Ganache: Prepare the ganache by heating the coconut cream in the microwave until warm.
Melt Chocolate: Next, melt the vegan chocolate in 30 second bursts until smooth.
Add Cream: Stir the warm coconut cream through the melted chocolate until well incorporated.
Chill, Then Whip: Chill the ganache in the fridge for 1-2 hours or until firm. Once the ganache is firm, use a stand mixer to whip the ganache until it's smooth and fluffy.
Assemble The Cake: Place one layer of cake on a serving dish, and add a layer of ganache. Top with the remaining cake layer and finish by spreading the remaining ganache all over the top of the cake.
Chill And Serve: Chill in the fridge for 1 hour before slicing and serving this no sugar cake!
💭 Expert Tips
- Creating Even Cake Layers and Assembling: Use 2×6 inch cake tins for perfect, evenly-sized layers. Alternatively, an 8 inch cake tin can be used, but adjust the bake time accordingly. Trim the tops off each cake for easier assembly and a flat, stable cake.
- Adjust Cooking Times: When using an 8 inch cake tin, add 10-15 minutes to the cooking time. Test for doneness by inserting a skewer; if it comes out clean, the cake is cooked.
- Avoid Over Mixing: Over mixing will create a dense cake! Mix the cake batter until just combined to prevent over-mixing.
- Proper Cooling and Firming: Allow the cakes to cool in the tin for 15 minutes to firm up. Otherwise they will fall apart when you cut them.
- Chilling Ganache and Whipping: Set the ganache in the fridge until firm. Whip the chilled ganache using a stand mixer for a lighter, fluffier texture. Chill this diabetic sugar free cake in the fridge for at least an hour before slicing and serving to allow the ganache to firm up once you've frozted your cake.
📖 Variations
- Cream Cheese Frosting: If you don't need this to be a vegan sugar free chocolate cake, you can easily use cream cheese instead of coconut cream and generously frost the cake layers with cream cheese frosting. The tangy cream cheese complements the rich homemade sugar free cake perfectly.
- Sour Cream Moisture Boost: For an extra moist cake and tender crumb, incorporate sour cream into the batter and reduce the amount of milk accordingly. Its tangy notes add depth to the chocolatey goodness of the cake.
- Intense Coffee Kick: Enhance the rich chocolate flavor by dissolving a teaspoon of instant coffee in the almond milk before mixing the wet ingredients. This simple addition adds a delightful hint of coffee, intensifying the overall taste of the chocolate cake without sugar.
- Use Coconut Milk: For a tropical twist, replace almond milk with creamy coconut milk. The subtle coconut undertones beautifully complement the chocolate, creating a blissful flavor combination.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- Rich Toppings: Drizzle a luscious caramel sauce over the cake for a chocolate caramel sugar-free cake recipe. Or top each slice with a dollop of freshly whipped heavy cream and a handful of chocolate chips for an indulgent finishing touch.
- Coffee Or Hot Drinks: A cup of freshly brewed coffee or a creamy latte makes for a perfect companion for this fudgy cake. Try my Biscoff latte recipe, golden latte, or my creamy mocha latte. They are all great companions for this sugar free cake. Not a fan of coffee drinks? No problem! Try this cake with my oat milk hot chocolate for a decadent treat.
- Milk: Chocolate cake and a glass of cold milk is a perfect pairing. You can use dairy milk or dairy free alternatives like almond or oat milk.
- Serve With Ice Cream: Take your cake to the next level by serving it with a scoop of your favorite dairy based or vegan ice cream. I love it with this caramel nice cream or coconut milkshake!
🫙 Storage Directions
In The Fridge: Store the sliced sugarless chocolate cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let the cake come to room temperature before serving.
In The Freezer: This refined sugar free chocolate cake freezes well! To freeze, let the cake cool completely. Then slice the entire cake, and place the slices in a freezer safe container, separated by plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator or on the counter before serving.
❓Recipe FAQs
What is the best sugar substitute for cakes?
Sugar free substitutes like monk fruit sweetener, allulose, powdered stevia, erythritol, or xylitol all work well in cakes. Adjust the amount based on the sweetness level you desire for your sugar free homemade cake.
If you're looking for a refined sugar substitute and don't need your layer cake to be completely sugar free, then coconut sugar or maple syrup are good options.
Are sugar free cakes ok for diabetics?
Yes! Sugar free cakes are a great option for diabetics, as they contain zero grams of sugar. Sugar is what causes blood sugar levels to spike, which can lead to issues for people with diabetes. That's why a no sugar cake recipe is perfect for diabetics!
Can you make a cake without sugar?
Theoretically, yes, you can bake a cake recipe without sugar, but it will taste more like an unsweetened quick bread than a cake, and it will have a different texture than a traditional cake. Sugar does more than add sweetness in baking - it helps provide a light cake texture, it helps the cake to stay moist after baking, and it caramelizes and adds color to the cake. This recipe for sugar free chocolate cake adds other ingredients to compensate for the lack of sugar - so you still get a moist tender crumb with no sugar added!
