Fudgy Chocolate Avocado Cake

Name: Chocolate Avocado Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 cups / 200g almond flour (or ground almonds); 1 1/2 avocado (circa 150g / 3/4 cup mashed); 3 eggs (medium); 1/2 cup / 120g coconut cream; 1/2 cup / 120ml almond milk (unsweetened); 1/3 cup / 40g cocoa powder (unsweetened); 1/3 cup / 53g powdered erythritol (use 1/2 cup / 80g if you like a sweeter cake. Use coconut sugar for Paleo); 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tso vanilla extract; 1 avocado (1/2 cup mashed); 2 oz / 56g unsweetened chocolate (or dark chocolate, 85% cocoa solids minimum); 1/2 cup / 80g powdered erythritol; 3-4 tbsp almond milk; 1 tbsp cocoa powder

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Sink your fork into a slice of fudgy chocolate avocado cake topped with lashings of silky-smooth chocolate avocado frosting! You'd never guess this decadent-tasting dessert is sugar free, dairy-free and gluten-free. You cannot taste the avocado at all - it makes this recipe deliciously moist yet surprisingly light.

A slice cut from a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

"Oh my! This is one of the best chocolate cakes I’ve ever tried! Thank you for the recipe! Will be definitely making it regularly." (Gayane)

If you had told me a few years ago that I'd be singing the praises of avocado chocolate cake today, I'd probably have laughed in your face. Avocado was something you'd mash into guacamole, full stop.

Since then, I have discovered the beauty of vegetables in baking. From my super easy keto carrot cake to moist pumpkin brownies and chocolate avocado brownies, I now know that veggies work wonderfully in desserts!

My whole family ate and loved this cake (which I presented to them as a mere "chocolate cake"). My daughter even asked for a second slice. You need to know that officially neither of my two children like avocado. They would even go as far as saying they "hate" it. See? If the haters like it.... it must be good!

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A Healthy Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Instructions
Recipe FAQs
Variations
Storage
More Chocolate Avocado Recipes
Recipe

A Healthy Chocolate Cake

Usually, I'd use butter and double/heavy cream in my cake recipes. Replacing these dairy fats with avocado turns this cake into a nutritional powerhouse: Avocado is packed with vitamins, contains more potassium than bananas, is high in fibre and packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids.

Don't get me wrong. Butter in cakes tastes great - my keto chocolate cake is absolutely mouthwatering. But by swapping them out for avocado, this cake tastes LIGHTER than a regular cake - despite the fact that it is amazingly fudgy.

In summary, this avocado cake recipe is low in calories, low carb and sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and grain free.

It is so healthy that you could eat it for breakfast!

Ingredients

Let's talk about the ingredients:

Almond Flour - I use ground almonds in most of my recipes, this one included. This is the same as regular almond flour in the US.
Avocado - The success of this recipe is down to the quality of your avocados. Unfortunately, most of us do not have the pleasure to pick a ripe avocado from a tree. From my experience, ripen-at-home avocados tend to go from hard to brown. When you shop for avos, make sure they are ripe and soft. The creamier your avocados, the better your cake will turn out.
Coconut Cream - This is the thick part of a can of coconut milk. Simply place your coconut milk in the fridge for a couple of hours before using it (or overnight). This will separate the cream from the liquid. If you can get hold of it, you can also buy coconut cream in a can.
Eggs - Use room temperature, medium eggs. Alternatively, use 2 extra large eggs.
Dark Chocolate and Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - The dark chocolate makes the frosting luxuriously rich and creamy.
Almond Milk - I always use unsweetened almond milk. Of course, any milk of your choice works.
Sweetness - I like to use sugar-free sweeteners in my cakes. In this recipe, I used powdered erythritol. Allulose, monk fruit sweetener or xylitol will work equally well. Use coconut sugar as a paleo option.
Vanilla Extract and Baking Powder - Vanilla adds a warm flavour note while baking powder

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Instructions

It is surprisingly easy to make an avocado cake. Here are the basic steps.

For detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.

PREPARATIONS

Line a 7-inch springform with parchment paper and grease the sides with oil so the cake does not stick.

Preheat the oven.

Avocado halves, cocoa powder and other ingredients in a blender jug.

STEP 1 - CAKE

Blend the avocado in a food processor with the eggs, almond milk, coconut cream, cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Blend for a few minutes until the mixture is absolutely smooth and there are no avocado lumps left.

If necessary, scrape down the sides with a spatula in between blending.

STEP 2

Now add the remaining dry ingredients - almond flour, baking powder and sweetener of your choice.

Continue blending until everything is well-combined.

Pouring the cake batter into the lined springform pan.

STEP 3

Fill the batter into the cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Or, gently pound the pan onto the kitchen counter so the batter can self-level.

STEP 4

Bake the avocado cake in the oven for about 30-35 minutes. It is ready when the top is firm and cracks are starting to show like in the image above. The inside should still be a little fudgy.

Chocolate avocado frosting in a food processor.

STEP 5 - FROSTING

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave (in 30-second bursts) and set aside.

Blend the avocado, sweetener of your choice, cocoa powder and almond milk in a food processor until absolutely smooth. Then, add the melted chocolate and blend again until well combined.

Spreading frosting onto the cake with a palate knife.

STEP 6

Slather the frosting over your COMPLETELY COOLED cake (you don't want the frosting to melt!) and enjoy!

Katrin's Top Tips

Blend well. The batter will turn out smoothest if you use a food processor or high-speed blender. If you don't have either, the attachment of a stick blender should also give the same result. In this case, blend the avocado and wet ingredients in two batches, then mix the rest of the dough in a bowl with your electric mixer.

This way, you can ensure that there are no green avocado specks in the cake.

Serve fully cooled. Another tip worth mentioning is that this cake tastes best when it is at room temperature. Do not serve it warmed.

Recipe FAQs

Does the cake taste of avocado?

No, avocado chocolate cake does not taste of avocado at all. Chocolate is a strong flavour that completely masks the avocado. This cake tastes like a deliciously fudgy chocolate cake.

Can I use an electric mixer instead?

If you only have a regular electric mixer, I'd use a tall vessel and mash the avocados before blending. You'll have to be patient - just keep blending and blending until there are absolutely no lumps.

Does the cake work without the frosting?

Yes. The cake tastes great even without the frosting. You can decorate it with whipped coconut cream or dust it with cocoa powder. Make sure the cake is fully cooled before you dust it. If it is still warm, the moisture turns the cocoa into an unsightly sludge.

Can I use frozen avocado?

Yes. Let the avocado defrost fully first and pat dry before using it to avoid the cake going soggy.

A slice of avocado chocolate cake on a plate with a fork.

Variations

Nut Free: You can make this cake using ¾ cup of coconut flour. Coconut flour absorbs more liquid, that's why you need less of it. It's also possible to replace the almond flour with a 50/50 blend of sunflower seed flour and sesame seed flour.

Amp up the chocolate: Add 2 oz of melted unsweetened or dark chocolate (minimum 85% cocoa solids) to the batter. This will make it even fudgier, more like a brownie.

Pipe the frosting: If the frosting cools in the fridge for around 2 hours, it becomes pipeable.

Using different cake pans: I used a small 7-inch diameter springform. This means my cake is taller. If you have a 9-inch (regular size) springform, your cake will be flatter and the baking time will reduce by 5 minutes. The baking duration in a rectangular tin will be similar to the 7-inch springform.

Cupcakes: This recipe makes great cupcakes. Bake them for 25 minutes. I recommend increasing the amount of frosting so you can generously pipe it on top.

Storage

Store the cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Avocado chocolate cake freezes well for up to 3 months. Let it defrost in the fridge overnight. The frosting will return to its full gloriousness once it is fully defrosted.