This is the ultimate Keto Chocolate Cake recipe. Every bite is fudgy, ultra-rich, and incredible. If you have been looking for a dessert that will impress pretty much anyone, you have finally found it. Delicious chocolate cake topped with a silky chocolate frosting is sure to please. It’s low carb, sugar-free, grain-free, gluten-free, and trim healthy mama friendly too.
There is no shortage of decadent chocolate recipes on my blog because I LOVE chocolate. It’s a lovely way to add flavor and enjoy a treat that is out of this world. This low carb cake has quickly moved up on my list of favorites. Every moist bite leaves me wanting the next even more. Take it to a potluck, and there won’t even be a crumb leftover. That’s how incredible it is.
I have one little secret for you. Now, I will tell you, but don’t tell your kids! It can be our little secret. 🙂 This low carb chocolate cake has two full cups of shredded zucchini in this cake. Can you believe it? Zucchini is a beautiful ingredient to add in some nutrients, but it also helps keep the cake moist. You can set this cake in front of someone who doesn’t eat low carb, and odds are they won’t even be able to tell the difference in this keto chocolate cake recipe either.
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How To Make Keto Chocolate Cake
This cake is very easy to make. The hardest part is smelling the aroma of the fresh baking cake and not being able to eat it yet. Take a look at these simple directions.
First Step: Warm up your oven to 350 degrees F. Then line three 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper. Give them a spray with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
Second Step: Combine the sweetener, blanched almond flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, eggs, coconut oil, vanilla extract, unsweetened macadamia milk (or unsweetened almond milk), and zucchini in a bowl. Mix on low until the ingredients are combined, then turn up the speed to medium and continue mixing for 2 minutes. Pour the keto chocolate cake batter into the three pans.
Third Step: Bake the cake layers for 30-35 minutes or until the centers are firm when you touch them. Allow the cake layers to cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pans and letting cool on a wire rack the rest of the way.
Fourth Step: While the cake is cooling, begin preparing the frosting. Warm up the butter, cocoa, sweetener, and half and half in a saucepan. Whisk continuously until smooth, then remove from the heat and pour in the vanilla.
Assembly: Pour ¼ of the frosting over the bottom cake layer. Then add a layer of cake and ¼ more frosting. Add the top layer of the cake and add the rest of the frosting. Allow some of the icing to drip down the edges, top the keto chocolate cake with some chocolate shavings, and enjoy!
Other Types of Keto Frosting
I really do love the chocolate pan frosting on this cake. If you've never made one before it's like an inexpensive version of a ganache. You use cocoa powder and half and half (half milk and half cream) instead of melting chocolate with heavy cream. It is still smooth, rich, and delicious. I could eat it with just a spoon.
But, if you'd like other icing choices for your chocolate cake try my Buttercream Frosting, Cream Cheese Frosting, Raspberry Frosting, Peanut Butter Frosting, or Caramel Frosting!
I also really want to try this Coffee Frosting! Just sub in swerve for the powdered sugar.
Can you taste the zucchini?
Absolutely not! My kids had no idea there was zucchini. Since the cake it such a dark color you can't see it or taste it. The zucchini is what makes this cake so moist so trust me and don't leave it out. You can use yellow squash in place of the zucchini if you prefer.
More Ideas and Substitutions
- Dairy-Free - the cake itself if dairy-free already. To make a dairy-free ganache heat sugar-free chocolate chips and a little coconut cream until they are melted.
- Nut-Free - a great replacement for almond flour in this keto chocolate cake recipe is sunflower seed flour. It can be subbed 1:1 for almond. You can use carton coconut milk in place of the nut milk. It is not as easy to sub in coconut flour so I don't recommend that.
- Toppings - raspberries look great on this cake! Some other ideas are sugar-free white chocolate chips, drizzled on white chocolate, or piping on peanut butter frosting on top of the chocolate ganache around the edges. You could also stick chopped nuts to the side or sprinkle some on top.
How do you store Chocolate Cake?
You can store the low carb keto chocolate cake in the fridge or on the counter. As long as it’s kept airtight, it will last for several days. I find that it tastes so much better when it’s cool, but try it both ways and see which way you prefer. Making the layer cake in advance, and having it saved for special occasions is easy. This will save you time if you are hosting a party or get-together because you can make it a day or two in advance.
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📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded zucchini (about one large or two medium zucchini)
- 1 ¾ cups almond flour
- 1 cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla macadamia milk (or other nut milk)
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup refined coconut oil melted
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Frosting:
- 4 oz salted butter
- ½ cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- ⅓ cup cocoa
- ¼ cup half and half
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Chocolate Cake:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Line three 9-inch round baking pans with parchment and spray with cooking spray.
- Beat all the ingredients on low until mixed. Increase the speed to medium for 2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared pans.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until the center feels firm to the touch. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
Chocolate Frosting:
- Heat butter in a small saucepan until melted. Add the cocoa, sweetener, and half and half whisking until smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
- Drizzle ¼ of the frosting over the bottom cake layer. Top with the middle layer and ¼ more of the frosting. Top with the top layer of cake and the rest of the frosting. Gently spread to the edges and let some drip down. Top with chocolate shavings, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Craving More Delicious Low Carb Cake Recipes?
All of these cakes are yummy and fantastic for pretty much all occasions. Check them out to find some inspiration for your next baking project.
- Keto Lemon Pound Cake
- Keto Berry Cake With Cream Cheese Icing
- Almond Crumb Cake
- Keto Lava Cake
- Keto Birthday Cake With Chocolate Icing
Cynthia says
Can I use a Bundt pan to cook this, and is the parchment paper necessary?
Taryn says
I have not tried cooking this in a bundt. If you try just make sure to grease it very well. This is a soft, moist cake and I'm afraid it might break when you invert it without parchment. I have had readers make it successfully as cupcakes.
Cynthia says
Great idea on the cupcakes...thanks!
Amanda says
Made these into cupcakes and they were delicious. Thank you for the recipe. Yields about 15 cupcakes and it was cooked in about 30 minutes. Also subbed half and half for whipping cream since that's what I had on hand.
Gina says
Hi,
Can I use Allulose as my sweetener and how much should I use?
Thanks
Taryn says
Yes, allulose should be fine. I would use 1.25 or 1.5 times the amounts listed of my sweetener as allulose is not as sweet.
Tracy says
Hi Taryn...I am making this right now so I know I won’t get my answer in time, but even though I had to use more sweetener (Monkfruit), thereby increasing bulk ingredients a smidge, this batter is extremely liquid. Every other ingredient was carefully measured to be exactly the same quantity. Is this normal? Fingers crossed this still turns out ok because it sounds amazing!!! Thank you...
Taryn says
This batter is on the thin side. It should be fine!
Heather W. says
Zucchini in cakes (even in my grain days) are always the bomb! Any idea on how much coconut flour to use instead of nut flour? Thank you.
Taryn says
That is not an easy sub. I'd suggest trying sunflower seed flour instead. It can be used 1:1 in place of almond flour.
Margo says
Can you make this into a 1 regular size cake dish?
Taryn says
Yes, it would fit a 9x13 pan.
Kathy says
Can I bake the chocolate cake in a 9x13 versus layers?
Taryn says
Yes. Enjoy!
Kari says
Can I replace the zucchini with pumpkin?
Taryn says
I haven't tested that but I think it would work.
Wilhelmina says
I was blown away by the flavor and texture of this cake! So fudgy and moist and the chocolate flavor is on point!
Nellie Tracy says
Love how chocolatey this cake is! Absolutely decadent and delicious!
Renee Goerger says
This is my go-to chocolate cake when I want to WOW people with a huge hit of chocolate flavor! It's incredible!!
Lisalia says
YUMMY! My family is new to low carb eating. And the hardest part for the kids, honestly, is giving up their beloved treats. This was delicious and definitley a keeper. Your website is full of amazing recipes that have helped our transition.
Nancy says
We made the cakes so far and they are falling apart when we turn them out. One layer is unfortunately useless....any tips on keeping them firmer? Otherwise, they are very tasty!
Taryn says
Did you grease the pans and use parchment paper?
For the broken one, I would make cake balls with it. Or a trifle!
JoAnne Doherty says
Do you drain the shredded zucchini of it's liquid at all?
Taryn says
I did not. That liquid is what makes this cake so moist!
Trina says
I have tried numerous times to make the frosting and the butter is separating
Any suggestions?
Taryn says
Pour it into a blender and blend. Or use an immersion blender. It probably just needs to be mixed more thoroughly. I do this with ganache too because it helps it thicken.
Noelle says
So delicious that even my family that isn't keto loved it! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Wayne says
Yum! My wife made this a few days ago and it was so delicious! I love this!
Dale Harper says
I only have 2 pans. Can I just make this 2 layers instead of 3? And if so, how much more baking time should I do?. Thank you...it looks delicious!!!
Taryn says
Yes, probably 5 minutes longer but I haven't tested it in just 2 pans so I'd check every few minutes.
Olga says
I don’t know this type of sweetener
What can I use in the US?
Thanx
Taryn says
There are notes under the recipe about using other sweeteners. I combine xylitol, erythritol, and stevia. joyfilledeats.com/sweetener
Beth Pierce says
I can't wait to make this! My family will love this cake!
Sandi says
I am so excited to make this over the weekend. It looks so chocolaty!
Taryn says
Let me know what you think!