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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Dairy Free Chocolate Cake Recipe

    April 29, 2013 by LaKita 2 Comments

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    close up side view of finished cake topped with frosting
    close up side view of finished cake topped with frosting

    This Dairy Free Chocolate Cake is a simple recipe that requires just a few ingredients and absolutely no dairy. Perfect for vegans and people that are sensitive to dairy.

    If you cannot get enough dairy free chocolate cake recipes, then be sure to try also making a Vegan Double Chocolate Cake or a Chocolate Ganache Cake.

    close up side view of finished cake topped with frosting

    There really is nothing better than chocolate cake, that is unless it is homemade dairy free chocolate cake. I'm talking about this kind of cake that is so quick and easy to make that anyone can make it.

    This recipe is also great because it pretty much requires one bowl and one baking dish which makes for a very easy cleanup. Trust me no one wants to spend lots of time cleaning up when they could be enjoying the cake.

    Let's get started!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Recipe
    • More Recipes You'll Love

    Ingredients You'll Need

    cake ingredients in separate bowls and containers
    1. All-Purpose Flour - Use plain all-purpose flour with nothing added to it. You may whisk or shift before using.
    2. Sugar - Use granulated or cane sugar to add sweetness to the cake.
    3. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - Helps to make the cake light, fluffy, and loaded with chocolate flavor. Use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe.
    4. Baking Soda - Be sure to check the date of the package before adding it to the cake to make sure that it has not expired. Expired baking soda will prevent the chocolate cake from rising properly. No one wants their cake to fall.
    5. Salt - I prefer to use kosher salt to balance out the sweetness. If you choose to use salted butter, then be sure to omit this ingredient.
    6. Water -
    7. Vegetable Oil - Much needed fat for this cake recipe and the main reason why it works even without dairy. May substitute unsweetened apple sauce in the same unit of measure if you prefer.
    8. Distilled White Vinegar - Provides acid to the cake and helps all of the ingredients come together. No worries, you will not be able to taste the small amount of vinegar in this recipe.
    9. Vanilla Extract - Use pure vanilla extract and not imitation for best results.

    See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour in an 8-inch square baking pan or line the bottom with wax paper. Whisk together in a large bowl flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended.

    cake flour mixture in mixing bowl

    Add water, oil, white vinegar, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.

    cake batter in mixing bowl with whisk

    Scrape the batter into the pan and spread evenly in the baking pan.

    cake mixture in pan before baking

    Bake for about 30 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Slide a thin knife around the cake to detach it from the pan.

    finished cake on cake plate

    Invert the cake and peel off the wax paper, if using. Let cool right side up on the rack.

    *Serve Plain or Dusted with some Powdered Sugar. For a quick frosting of 2 cups Confectioners’ Sugar, 2 Tablespoons Water, and ½ teaspoon Vanilla.

    finished cake beside frosting in measuring cup with spoon
    finished cake topped with frosting

    Recipe

    close up side view of finished cake topped with frosting

    Dairy Free Chocolate Cake

    LaKita Anderson
    This Dairy Free Chocolate Cake is a simple recipe that requires just a few ingredients and absolutely no dairy. Perfect for vegans and people that are sensitive to dairy.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9
    Calories 183 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup cold water
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour in an 8-inch square baking pan or line the bottom with parchment paper.
    • Whisk together in a large bowl flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
    • Add water, vegetable oil, white vinegar, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
    • Scrape the batter into the pan and spread evenly.
    • Bake for about 30 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
    • Let cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Slide a thin knife around the cake to detach it from the pan. Invert the cake and peel off the parchment paper, if using. Let cool, right side up on the rack.
    • **Serve Plain or Dusted with Powdered Sugar or with a quick frosting of 2 cups Confectioners’ Sugar, 2 Tablespoons Water, and ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 183kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 254mgPotassium: 81mgFiber: 2gSugar: 25gCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg

    *All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

    Keyword dairy free chocolate cake
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SimplyLaKita or tag #SimplyLakita

    Original post date 04/29/2013. Updated 11/05/2022.

    close up side view of finished cake

    More Recipes You'll Love

    • Vegan Double Chocolate Cake
    • Chocolate Avocado Cake
    • Chocolate Ganache Cake
    • Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake

    Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas and ways to serve this Dairy Free Chocolate Cake Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angela Gilmore

      May 05, 2013 at 12:55 pm

      This looks so great! I'm pinning this. I need to get some vinegar! We are doing a 93 day vegan challenge and this sounds like a perfect dessert!

      Reply
      • admin

        May 06, 2013 at 3:02 pm

        Hi Angela! Thank you! This is certainly a good vegan recipe and good luck on your 93 day challenge.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm LaKita, a food blogger living in Northwest/Panhandle Florida. I love creating and sharing recipes that are simple to make and comforting to eat. Follow me for more delicious recipes.

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