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Two layers of rich chocolate cake are adorned with dreamy chocolate frosting and packed with intense chocolate flavor for the best vegan gluten free cake! The best vegan gluten free chocolate cake and my absolute favorite.

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The Best Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe Ever

For real. Today’s vegan gluten free chocolate cake is the best one ever! Think: rich chocolate cake, creamy, dreamy chocolate frosting, and beautiful cake layers… all for the best vegan gluten free cake you’ve ever made (and/or eaten!).

This cake recipe is not only one of the most popular recipes on Beaming Baker, it’s also the highest rated. Wanna see what the fuss is about? Grab your cake pans, a big ‘old container of your favorite cocoa powder and head into the kitchen with me. It’s time to make cake!

If you’re looking for more cakes and cupcakes to try, be sure to check out my carrot cake cupcakes.

Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe: this gluten free dairy free cake yields moist & rich chocolate cake covered in irresistible creamy chocolate frosting! My favorite vegan gluten free cake recipe! #GlutenFree #Vegan #Cake #Chocolate #DairyFree | Recipe at BeamingBaker.com

All the Ingredients You Need to Make Vegan Gluten Free Cake

For the Cake

  • Gluten Free Oat Flour
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • Water + Non-Dairy Milk
  • Melted Coconut Oil
  • Coconut Sugar + Pure Maple Syrup
  • Baking Soda, Salt, Vanilla Extract

For the Frosting

How to Make Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake

Prepare the Frosting

First things first, prepare the frosting. You’ll want to follow every step up until you’re about to whip the frosting. Don’t whip the frosting until your cake is cooled and ready to be frosted.

Make the Cake

Preheat

I start every recipe by preheating the oven, then preparing my baking pan. Head on over to your oven and preheat it to 350°F. Grease your cake pans with coconut oil. Then, dust with cocoa powder until completely covered. Or, use a parchment paper circle at the bottom of the pan.

Sift

Set out a large mixing bowl and sift together your dry ingredients: gluten free oat flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Set it aside for later.

Heat

Add the water and milk to a microwave-safe bowl. You’ll heat the two ingredients together just until it’s warm—this will prevent the melted coconut oil from solidifying once it touches these liquids.

Whisk the Wet Ingredients, Add the Dry

Set out a medium mixing bowl and add in all of the wet ingredients: the heated water and milk, melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, maple syrup and vanilla. Whisk all the wet ingredients together until its well mixed. Now, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl. Make sure to use a rubber spatula to scrape the wet ingredient bowl clean. Now, whisk the wet and dry ingredients together just until no flour patches remain. You’ve just made your vegan gluten free cake batter!

Pour Batter & Bake

Pour the batter evenly into the two cake pans you prepared earlier. Bake for about 24 minutes.

Cool

Remove pans from the oven and cool for about 25 minutes in the pan, but on a cooling rack. Then, gently remove the cakes from the pan and transfer directly onto the cooling rack to complete cooling, about 1 hour.

Frost, Slice and Enjoy!

Now, it’s time to whip the frosting! Whip until creamy and smooth, then frost the cake, slice and enjoy the best vegan gluten free cake!

Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe: this gluten free dairy free cake yields moist & rich chocolate cake covered in irresistible creamy chocolate frosting! My favorite vegan gluten free cake recipe! #GlutenFree #Vegan #Cake #Chocolate #DairyFree | Recipe at BeamingBaker.com

The Taste: Vegan Gluten Free Cake: Chocolate Edition

This vegan gluten free cake is one of the most popular on the internet for a reason. It’s GOOD. Like, hella good.

The Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake: is moist and fluffy with rich, deep chocolate flavor and the perfect crumb. It’s not too light and not too dense—landing somewhere perfectly in between. 

The Vegan Chocolate Frosting: rich, creamy and delightfully chocolatey. While the cake portion of this vegan GF cake is lightly sweet, the 2 ingredient vegan chocolate frosting is on the sweeter, creamier side to balance out the dark chocolate flavors of the cake.

Together, these two components make for the best vegan gluten free cake recipe ever. Try if for yourself and see. 😉

Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe: this gluten free dairy free cake yields moist & rich chocolate cake covered in irresistible creamy chocolate frosting! My favorite vegan gluten free cake recipe! #GlutenFree #Vegan #Cake #Chocolate #DairyFree | Recipe at BeamingBaker.com
Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe: this gluten free dairy free cake yields moist & rich chocolate cake covered in irresistible creamy chocolate frosting! My favorite vegan gluten free cake recipe! #GlutenFree #Vegan #Cake #Chocolate #DairyFree | Recipe at BeamingBaker.com

How to Store this Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe

To store after frosting: store your cake in an airtight container like this one for 1-3 days, in a cool environment. Keep out of direct sunlight and way from heat sources.

To store before frosting: you may freeze the cake and frost before serving (up to 3 days before). Wrap cake layers in parchment paper or plastic wrap and store in an airtight, freezer-friendly container. Do not make frosting until you are ready to whip and frost the vegan chocolate cake.

Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe: this gluten free dairy free cake yields moist & rich chocolate cake covered in irresistible creamy chocolate frosting! My favorite vegan gluten free cake recipe! #GlutenFree #Vegan #Cake #Chocolate #DairyFree | Recipe at BeamingBaker.com

Tips for Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake

Here are a few tips to making your vegan gluten free chocolate cake a success!

Do not make substitutes.

I designed this recipe specifically around the ingredients and amounts listed. If you make any substitutes at all, the recipe is different and I can’t guarantee the results. Any small change, even if it’s swapping one flour for another, can cause terrible results. And definitely do not use almond flour, coconut flour or any other kind of flour expecting ideal results. All of those flours work very differently in this recipe. 🙂

If using homemade oat flour, remember to sift, sift, sift!

It is difficult to grind homemade oat flour to the degree that big companies with fancy equipment can. So, if you’re making your own, making sure to sift out coarse bits that can cause your chocolate cake to become crumbly, or overly moist. Then, after sifting, measure your oat flour and use.

To “Butter” Pans with Coconut Oil

Start with slightly softened coconut oil. Drop about 2 teaspoons onto a cake pan. Using a rubber spatula, spread coconut oil. The more you spread, the softer and easier the coconut oil will be to work with.

To “Flour” Pans with Cocoa Powder

  • Use a sifter to evenly drop cocoa powder over pan (or else you’ll just get big clumps)
  • Then, tap the pan around to get the cocoa powder to spread.
  • For the sides, you have to aggressively tap and hold the pan on its side, getting the cocoa powder to fall down onto the opposite side. Rotate as you tap so the cocoa powder will fall and coat more and more of the side of the cake pan.

For a Visual Guide + Tips on Making Homemade Chocolate Frosting

Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe: this gluten free dairy free cake yields moist & rich chocolate cake covered in irresistible creamy chocolate frosting! My favorite vegan gluten free cake recipe! #GlutenFree #Vegan #Cake #Chocolate #DairyFree | Recipe at BeamingBaker.com
Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe: this gluten free dairy free cake yields moist & rich chocolate cake covered in irresistible creamy chocolate frosting! My favorite vegan gluten free cake recipe! #GlutenFree #Vegan #Cake #Chocolate #DairyFree | Recipe at BeamingBaker.com

 

Best Tools for the Best Gluten Free Dairy Free Cake

  • Black Stoneware PlateBlack Cake Server – there’s just something about black stoneware & black utensils that scream “cool” and understated elegance. 😉 These two are the plate & server you see in all of the photos.
  • Vegan Chocolate Chips – the key ingredient in my 2 ingredient vegan chocolate frosting.
  • Cake Essentials: Frosting Spatula | Cake Stand | Cake Carrier
    • The frosting spatula is actually secretly my go-to tool for doing everything in the kitchen. It precisely picks up everything like a champ, and, shocker, it’s awesome at spreading frosting! 😉
    • The Cake Decorating Set + Stand make frosting the cake so, so easy. It grips the counter like a boss and allows you to spin the cake around smoothly so you can frost the cake like a pro.
    • The Cake Carrier with Locking Lid is what I’ve used for years to transport my carefully made cake from one location to another. Also, it’s basically a big, perfectly shaped Tupperware for storing your vegan chocolate cake so you can enjoy it tomorrow! 😉
  • KitchenAid Stand Mixer – one of the most quintessential baking favorites of bakers around the world. It’s sturdy, lasts decades and is the gold standard for bakers everywhere. 🙂
  • KitchenAid Hand Mixer with Hand Mixer Whisk Attachment – let’s be honest, not all of us have the counter space in our kitchens for a stand mixer. That’s when this handy little guy comes in. I’ve lived in all of the small city apartments and this hand mixer was my go-to tool for whipping up the perfect vegan chocolate frosting. More importantly, you’ve got to get the hand mixer whisk attachment. Yep, I’ve tried using the attachment it comes with, and nope, it didn’t work! Boo…
  • Where to Buy Ingredients: Vegan Chocolate ChipsCoconut Oil | Coconut CreamGluten Free Oat Flour |  Maple SyrupCoconut Sugar

Vegan Gluten Free Cake Recipes & More

Who Says You Can’t Have Your Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake and Eat It Too?

Ignore the haters! Haha. Just, don’t think that you can’t have your vegan gluten free cake and actually eat it too. This one’s not gummy, not weird, and totally can sneak by as a “traditional” chocolate cake. If you make this recipe, make sure to leave a comment and rating below. You know I love hearing from you! ‘Til our next sweet adventure…

Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️

Did you make this vegan gluten free cake recipe? Take a pic and share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker & tag @beamingbaker. I’d love to see it!

Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipe (V, GF): an easy recipe for supremely rich, perfectly moist chocolate cake covered in a delicious layer of irresistible chocolate frosting! #Vegan #GlutenFree #DairyFree #Chocolate #Cake #Dessert | Recipe on BeamingBaker.com
4.99 from 70 votes
Servings: 12 -16 slices

Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake

Two layers of rich chocolate cake, adorned with dreamy chocolate frosting and delicious chocolate flavor for the best vegan gluten free cake! The best vegan gluten free chocolate cake!
Prep: 45 minutes
Cook: 24 minutes
Save this recipe!
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Ingredients 

FROSTING

CHOCOLATE CAKE

Wet Ingredients

Instructions 

  • Prepare the frosting: The night before, begin preparing a double batch of this Vegan Chocolate Frosting. Do not whip the frosting until the cake is cooled and ready to be frosted.
  • Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare two 9-inch round cake pans as follows: coat with softened coconut oil, then dust completely with cocoa powder. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients: oat flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  • Add water and milk to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 10-second increments until just warm. This will prevent the melted coconut oil from solidifying once mixed with these liquids.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together all wet ingredients: water, milk, coconut oil, sugar, maple syrup and vanilla. Whisk until well incorporated. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Whisk until just incorporated, making sure no flour patches remain.
  • Pour batter evenly into prepared cake pans. Tap the pans several times to even out the batter and release bubbles that have formed in the batter. Bake for 22-26 minutes. Mine took 24 minutes. Test for doneness with a toothpick—it should come out clean when done.
  • Place pans on a cooling rack to cool for 25 minutes. Afterward, use a plastic knife to cut around the interior edges of the cake pan to loosen the cake. Shake the pan a few times until you hear the cake pop loose. Place a large plate or cooling rack upside down, on top of one cake pan. Grasping both the pan and the plate tightly, flip the cake onto the plate/rack. Repeat with second layer. Allow cake to cool completely before frosting (about 1 hour).
  • Frost the cake: Whip the frosting as instructed. Frost the cake. Enjoy! Storing instructions below!

If you prefer cupcakes, try these Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes or these grain-free Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes!

    Notes

    *If using homemade oat flour, make sure to sift the flour to remove coarse bits of oats that could create grainy, overly moist cake without fluffy texture.
    To carry your cake On-the-Go: I recommend storing your cake in this cake carrier with locking lid. Even when I’m not carrying the cake to an event, I like keeping it in this cake carrier because it’s like a giant tupperware for cake! 😉
    Where to Buy Ingredients: Vegan Chocolate ChipsCoconut Oil | Coconut CreamGluten Free Oat Flour |  Maple SyrupCoconut Sugar
    Storing Instructions: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Okay to keep at room temperature for up to 3 days, in a cool, dark environment.
    Freezing Instructions: Store pre-sliced cake in an airtight, freezer-friendly container for up to 1 month. Allow to thaw at room temperature for 15-40 minutes before enjoying.
    Recommended Tools: Frosting Spatula | Cake Stand | Cake Carrier9-inch Round Cake Pans | Black Stoneware PlateKitchenAid Hand MixerKitchenAid Stand MixerHand Mixer Whisk AttachmentCooling RackBlack Cake ServerGlass Mixing Bowls
    Like this? Leave a comment below!

    This post may contain affiliate links, which allow me to make a small commission for my referral, at no additional cost to you.

    Photo of Demeter, author of the Beaming Baker blog.

    Hi there!

    I'm Demeter, it's nice to meet you! Here, you'll find easy recipes that are fun & approachable. I love cozy movies, a good mystery, and chocolate. Welcome!

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    316 Comments

    1. Tonya says:

      5 stars
      Hi Demeter, Thank you for all the time and effort you have gone into creating these delicious recipes. This is only my second time baking with oat flour, the first was your brownie recipe which turned out beautifully, rich and moist.
      I made the chocolate cake last night and while the flavors were rich and delicious, it came out dry. I used the same batch of oat flour as the brownies and followed your steps to the tee. Any idea please on what I did wrong, I would love to make it again. I have recently discovered I have allergies to dairy, eggs and almonds, no more almond meal 🙁 Should I have cooked it for less time? ( I cooked it for 24min but didn’t check it earlier) I live in Australia, could my cup measurements be different? Please help

      1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

        Hi Tonya! Aww, thank you so much for the kind words. It really means a lot to me. 😊 As for the cake, it’s definitely possible that the cup measurements are off somewhere–I have heard from a few Aussie readers that measuring cups/spoons don’t always line up the same as they do in the states. Did you make any other changes to the recipe? Also, it definitely could be simply a matter of overbaking, so I’d say do try checking it earlier next time. Once the toothpick comes out clean, you’re good to go. Hope this helps!

    2. Lucy says:

      5 stars
      Hi there. I have made this cake numerous times and it was absolutely amazing!

      This time I am wondering if I can use this recipe for vanilla cake and omit cocoa powder?

      1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

        Hi Lucy! So happy you’ve been enjoying the cake. Unfortunately, simply omitting the cocoa powder won’t work because of the balance in sweetness, texture and the interactions with the leavener. It’s good to know there’s an interest in a vanilla cake, so I can start factoring that into my recipe planning for the future. 🙂

    3. Andrea says:

      Hi! Just doing this now… so it has no baking power or vinegar to react with the baking soda? Thanks!

      Love your recipies.

      1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

        Hi Andrea! Yep, baking powder of cinnamon gear necessary. The cocoa powder does all the heavy lifting for us here. 🙂 Happy baking!

    4. Kara says:

      This is literally the best cake I have ever made tastes amazing!!

      1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

        Aww thank you so much Kara! 🥰

    5. Sherice says:

      This recipe is amazing, decadent, rich and so much more! Can you do a strawberry version of this cake using oat flour?

    6. Uma says:

      5 stars
      I could hug you. I haven’t had a good gluten-free vegan cake since discovering I was intolerant to gluten, and then becoming vegan, about five years ago. Even though I made two crucial mistakes with your recipe (realising I had only two cups of oats – which I then topped up with potato flour – and not grinding the oats finely enough, as you asked), STILL, it baked beautifully in 20′, came out with a gorgeous dome which is a true miracle for gluten-free and vegan, and we just ate the crumbs from levelling both layers out (which did not break from handling) and it’s just gorgeously crumbly and so, so delicious. I’m making it again for my upcoming birthday, and I promise to follow your recipe to a T then. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this. Really, I could hug you!

      1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

        I could hug you back!! 🙂 Gluten free and vegan is no joke, that’s for sure. (Especially baking, ya know?) I’m so happy to hear that the potato flour worked out–isn’t it the best when a last minute save works out beautifully? Here’s to a wonderful BIRTHDAY ahead and just about a million hugs headed your way!! 🎈

    7. Norski Mon says:

      5 stars
      I made this last December for my daughter-in-laws birthday. She greatly appreciated the effort! I want to do it again but would prefer to use a 9×13” pan (rather than a 2-layer). Would I change the baking time? Thoughts on this…..

      1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

        Hi there! If you use a 9×13 pan, I’d recommend baking it for about 40 minutes. Hope your daughter-in-law has a wonderful birthday!

    8. Tia Juby says:

      If you are cooking for someone who is allergic to coconut, what would you suggest substituting?

      1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

        Hi Tia Juby, for the CAKE: sub melted coconut oil with melted vegan butter; sub coconut sugar with organic cane sugar. For the FROSTING: try looking for a vegan frosting that’s made with organic powdered sugar. 😉 Since my vegan chocolate frosting is made with coconut cream, I don’t suggest substituting it. Good luck & happy baking! Let me know how it turns out!

    9. Jan - Winophone says:

      So easy to make and it’s so delicious with a very nice texture. Loved it so much. Thanks so much for this recipe. I had tried a few other GF Vegan recipes but they were terrible.

      1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

        You’re very welcome Jan! Happy you’re enjoying the taste and texture here. 🙂

    10. Sancie @ Best Appliances says:

      5 stars
      it was my mother’s birthday yesterday and i made this cake for her. she just loved it and all my family did too.

      1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

        Oh that’s so wonderful to hear Sanice! Wish her a belated happy birthday from me! 🙂