The Best Chocolate Keto Cake Recipe

Imagine it: a perfect chocolate cake that is actually good for you (or at least, cake that fits into your diet)! Go ahead, pinch yourself. You are not dreaming. We have scoured the web, and we found the most delectable chocolate cake that is also keto and vegan, just so that we could share it with you. We know it sounds way too good to be true, but trust us. Once you see what is in this recipe and how easy it is to make, you will be singing its praises. 

Like you, we like to keep things plant-based and love to find ways to make our favorite things vegan. Nowhere in the vegan rule book does it say you can’t enjoy delicious treats! 

This recipe is a great starting point if you are starting to explore keto cake options. It’s even great if you are making a vegan option for a friend since most of these ingredients are in a basic pantry.  So, how do you make this magical cake? Let’s get started! 

 

What Is Keto and Can It Be Vegan?

Before we get started, let's just get a quick understanding of just what a keto diet entails. Keto, or the ketogenic diet, is a low-carb, high-fat diet. The reduction of carbs puts your body into ketosis. When your body is in ketosis, it is burning fat for fuel instead of carbs. There are many claims that a keto diet can help improve health, is effective in weight loss, and supports healthy metabolic function. 

A keto diet is not generally thought of as a plant-based or vegan diet, but it can easily be changed up to fit those lifestyle needs. When thinking fats, think non-animal fats like avocado, coconut oil, and nuts. You would need to stay away from grains, starchy vegetables, legumes, and processed foods. Think green when you are adding in veggies, like spinach, broccoli, or celery. There are a lot of veggies that are not starch, but keeping it green is a pretty good rule of thumb.

 

This One Takes the Cake 

Without further adieu, here is our favorite keto and vegan chocolate cake recipe. With less than ten ingredients, this recipe is simple enough to follow for even the most novice of bakers. This recipe is for one nine-inch cake round, so if you would like to have two layers, double the recipe. We’re just going to warn you right now that one will not be enough. 

As with any baking recipe, it is best to follow it to a tee to make sure you get the optimal taste and texture. Of course, if you’re an experienced baker, there’s no harm in making some subs, but we think this recipe is pretty darn good as it stands. Here is an overview of all of the ingredients and ways you can change them up to make this cake vegan if needed.

 

Fine Almond Flour 

Fine almond flour is made by putting almonds in a food processor or blender and letting it do its thing. There are many brands that sell fine almond flour, but if you have almonds on hand, it can be more cost-effective to make it yourself. 

Almond flour is a good substitute for wheat flour because it is low in carbs, which is why it fits so neatly into the keto diet. Almond flour is also high in nutrients and can support a healthy lifestyle.

 

Cocoa Powder 

As long as you get an unsweetened cocoa powder, it is keto-friendly and vegan. Because cocoa powder is made by cold-pressing cacao beans to remove the fat and then grinding them, you are still left with a lot of the potential health benefits that cacao has (it’s a superfood, by the way). 

As long as you get a good quality cocoa powder with no added sugars, your taste buds will be singing and staying healthy.

 

Baking Soda

Most of us have baking soda in our pantries, but do you know what this magical powder does? It is a leavening agent that helps your cake get that perfect rise. 

 

Salt 

Salt is always a surprising ingredient to add to sweets, but it enhances the flavor like nobody’s business. It helps increase the sweet flavors and decrease bitterness. Of course, if you use too much, it will overpower everything and just be salty, so stick to the recipe.

 

Coconut Milk 

Mason jar filled with coconut milk next to an open coconut

How good does a chocolate coconut cake sound? Using coconut milk here will not give the cake an overpowering coconut taste but will give just enough to add some layers of flavor. 

You can also use almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. There is no wrong answer here.

 

Avocado

This healthy fat is a star ingredient in vegan keto diets. Adding this to your cake will give you that silky-smooth finish that you’re craving, while still allowing your cake to taste as chocolatey as possible. 

 

Erythritol Sugar 

This keto cake recipe calls for granulated erythritol. Granulated erythritol is a naturally derived sugar substitute that’s naturally vegan and keto. It brings the sweetness that you’re looking for while ensuring the recipe works with your diet. 

 

Vanilla Extract 

Do you even find it strange that vanilla extract is added to chocolate cake? Same. It turns out, vanilla, much like salt, enhances the chocolate flavor. If you don't have vanilla in your pantry, you can add a pinch of coffee or espresso powder. Coffee pops the chocolate flavor to the next level.

 

Distilled White Vinegar

A touch of white vinegar will help to activate the baking soda, so that your cake rises even more beautifully than it would have before. Don’t stress about the flavor that it might add to the cake, either—once you get the chocolate in there, you won’t even notice it. 

 

Easy Vegan Whipped Coconut Frosting 

You have baked your cake, your kitchen smells of chocolatey goodness, and you just want to dig in. STOP! You will not regret waiting to finish off your cake with the easiest fluffy, whipped coconut frosting that just so happens to be both keto and vegan. 

This is made with two simple ingredients: coconut milk in the can and sugar-free maple syrup. Before you open your can of coconut milk, make sure to shake it. Cue kitchen dance party! Put on your favorite song and shake that can. This makes all of the fat that has been separated mix back into the liquids. 

Once your coconut milk is mixed (you usually tell it is by the sound) or you are finished with your dance break, pour it into your mixer and let it rip. You will be able to see that coconutty goodness get all light and fluffy. Some like it just like this, but we like to add in a little sugar-free maple syrup to amp up the sweetness. You can add this to taste, but start small. 

 

Creating Your Masterpiece 

Once you have made your cake and let it cool, now what? Let your artistic flag fly! 

Frost your cooled chocolate cakes with your fluffy coconut whipped frosting. To make your cake look like you picked it up from the local bakery, take the extra frosting and put it in a piping bag. You can pipe little peaks around the sides and add vegan chocolate chips, like the ones we carry here at MiiRO. Otherwise, grab your favorite vegan chocolate bar and use a microplane to let chocolate shavings rain over your cake. Your cake will look Insta-ready in no time! 

A word of caution: if you make a cake that tastes and looks that lovely, your phone will not stop ringing. Everyone will want a piece. Not only will it be the most delicious cake, but it will fit right in with your diet, and your friends won't even know it.

This Keto Chocolate Cake Is a Gamechanger

If you are new to the keto diet and also a vegan, you never have to worry about missing out on the simple pleasures in life, like chocolate cake. Whether you are hosting a family dinner, bringing a dessert to a party, or are just craving a chocolatey cake, look no further than this (vegan) keto chocolate cake recipe. 

Not only can you have this whipped up relatively quickly, but it is also easy to make, and most of these ingredients will be in your pantry. What are you waiting for? Go have some fun in the kitchen and make a vegan, keto cake so delicious and gorgeous you will be patting your own back! Cake back and enjoy!

 

Sources:

The Ketogenic Diet: A Detailed Beginner's Guide to Keto | healthline.com

Vegan keto diet: Guide, benefits, food list, and more | medicalnewstoday.com

Keto Cake - The BEST Chocolate Recipe! | chocolatecoveredkatie.com

Almond Flour: Health Benefits, Nutrients per Serving, Preparation Information, and More | webmd.com

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