This super easy stir-together Healthy Chocolate Cake is a cinch to make and it has less sugar than traditional cakes. Maybe “healthier” is a better term, but whatever you call it, it’s so darn good! PS: It happens to be egg-free and vegan, too.
I’ve been searching for a “house cake”—you know, one that becomes the traditional cake we make for birthdays and special occasions. One that we’ll think back on fondly.
And also one that’s easy enough to make without much notice because as we all know, sometimes you just need a slice of cake for no good reason! I’m happy to say this cake fills the bill.
This cake is made with less sugar than traditional cakes (which is my personal flavor preference) and has some ingredient options so you can decide how “healthy” to make it. My whole family loves this layer cake recipe–especially as a birthday cake or a holiday dessert—because it delivers on the classic chocolate cake flavor you expect.
(I also have a delicious Easy Vanilla Cake version, a Funfetti Cake that’s also vegan, and Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes as more easy dessert options.)
Table of Contents
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Ingredients You Need
To make the Healthy Chocolate Cake, you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go.
- Flour: You can use whole wheat, all-purpose, or a mixture of the two. I usually use all-purpose flour.
- Vegetable oil: I typically use canola oil or vegetable oil here, but avocado oil would work, too.
- Sugar: A little granulated sugar is the sweetener of choice in this cake because it blends in so well and adds moisture.
- Baking soda: Fresh, active baking soda helps the cake bake through and rise nicely. (This works much better than baking powder, so do be sure to use baking soda.)
- Cocoa powder: I like Saco or Hershey’s Special Dark for the best chocolate flavor.
- Salt: A dash of salt helps enhance the rest of the flavors.
- White vinegar: This works with the other ingredients to deliver the perfect texture you expect in a chocolate cake.
- Vanilla extract: Paired with cocoa powder, vanilla extract is an extra flavor note.
- Quick Chocolate Frosting: Or a frosting of your choice.
TIP: The cake is dairy and egg-free, and there’s not even any butter. You can make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free cup-for-cup flour blend. It’s like a magic cake!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s the basic process of making the Healthy Chocolate Cake. Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full recipe, including the amounts and timing.
Step 1. Stir together the ingredients in a large bowl with a whisk. Make sure you get all the lumps out of the cocoa powder.
Step 2. Divide batter evenly between two 6-inch pans (coated with nonstick spray and parchment paper rounds).
Step 3. Bake until just firm to the touch and a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 4. Remove the cakes from the pans. Let cool on a wire rack.
Step 5. Place one of the cakes onto a platter or cake stand. Add a big spoonful of desired frosting and spread to cover the top.
Step 6. Add the second cake and the rest of the frosting. Spread over the top and sides.
TIP: I like making this cake in two 6-inch pans, as it’s a nice size for a smaller gathering of up to 10 people. It also means you don’t need a ton of any of the ingredients. Plus, it’s is a great size for a smash cake.
Frosting Options
Frost with my Quick Chocolate Frosting, Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting, or Strawberry Frosting, or use any other frosting that you enjoy.
Of those options, we almost always use the Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting for a double chocolate cake.
I use that word to signify that this cake is lower in sugar than most comparable chocolate cake recipes. I worked hard to make sure it’s plenty sweet, without being too sweet.
We like to use a cookie cutter to form a shape, then fill with sprinkles. We also sometimes just do chocolate frosting and forget any other decorating!
Yes, you can freeze chocolate cake and this one freezes so well. We love to do that if we want half one day and half another day a few weeks ahead. Wrap a section or slices of cake in plastic wrap and place into a freezer bag. Remove as much air as you can and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.
How to Store
You can make the Healthy Chocolate Cake layers the day before you plan to serve. Let cool fully, then place on two separate plates and wrap well with plastic wrap. Store at room temperature. Frost just before serving if possible.
Store leftovers, wrapped well in the fridge. I am partial to how this cake tastes when it’s chilled, right out of the fridge.
You can also freeze slices for future enjoyment. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap (wrapping slices on small paper plates makes this easy) and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge.
Best Tips for Success
- To make this in a 9-inch cake pan, use just one pan and bake for 16-20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Be sure to grease the pan well to ensure it doesn’t stick. Double the recipe to make a two layer 9-inch cake.
- To bake as cupcakes, use ¼ cup batter in each standard size muffin cup (greased well with nonstick spray) and bake for 14-16 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out cleanly.
- Gluten-free: Use cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend in place of the wheat flour.
- Use a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour or all of one or the other. (All whole wheat will be a smidge denser.)
- Try to avoid over-baking to ensure the cake is moist and doesn’t crumble too much.
- Be sure to grease the pan well to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- If you are at all worried about your cakes sticking to the pans (these 6-inch pans do not tend to stick, but I can’t speak for every other cake pan) trace the pans onto parchment paper. Cut out the rounds, trimming slightly so they fit inside of the cakes. Place each round of parchment paper into the cake pan, then spray the paper and sides of the pan with nonstick spray. Proceed with the recipe.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback if you try this recipe for your family, so please comment below to share!
Healthy Chocolate Cake (Lower Sugar)
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (or whole-wheat flour)
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder (I like Saco or Hershey's Special Dark)
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter or avocado oil)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 recipe Quick Chocolate Frosting or Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease two 6-inch cake pans very well on the bottom and sides with nonstick spray. (I use classic Pam spray.)
- Add the ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk gently to combine. Divide the batter between the prepared pans, using about 1 cup and 2 tablespoons in each pan.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the middle is firm to a light touch and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Try not to overbake.
- Let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then carefully remove the cakes from the pans by running a paring knife around the edges to loosen. Working with one pan at a time, carefully turn the pan over onto a wire rack. The cakes should slide out easily. Let cool completely on the wire rack.
- To frost, place one cake onto a cake stand or plate. Add ⅓ of the frosting to the top of the cake. Spread to the edges. Top with the second layer and the remaining frosting, then spread over the top and the sides. Add sprinkles if desired.
Equipment
Notes
- Store leftovers wrapped well in the fridge. You can also freeze slices for future enjoyment. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap (wrapping slices on small paper plates makes this easy) and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge.
- You can make the cakes the day before you plan to serve. Let cool fully, then place on two separate plates and wrap well with plastic wrap. Store at room temperature. Frost just before serving if possible.
- Frost with my Quick Chocolate Frosting, Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting, or Strawberry Frosting. You could also use classic Cream Cheese Frosting.
- To make this in a 9-inch cake pan, use just one pan and bake for 16-20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Be sure to grease the pan well to ensure it doesn’t stick. Double the recipe to make a two layer 9-inch cake.
- To bake as cupcakes, use ¼ cup batter in each standard size muffin cup (greased well with nonstick spray) and bake for 14-16 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out cleanly.
- Gluten-free: Use cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend in place of the wheat flour.
- Use a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour or all of one or the other. (All whole wheat will be a smidge denser.)
- Try to avoid over-baking to ensure the cake is moist and doesn’t crumble too much.
- Be sure to grease the pan well to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- If you are at all worried about your cakes sticking to the pans, (these 6-inch pans do not tend to stick, but I can’t speak for every other cake pan) trace the pans onto parchment paper. Cut out the rounds, trimming slightly so they fit inside of the cakes. Place each round of parchment paper into the cake pan, then spray the paper and sides of the pan with nonstick spray. Proceed with the recipe.
Nutrition
This recipe was first published September 2020.
Hi! Is this using unsweetened cocoa powder or like Hershey’s cocoa powder? Ty!
We’ve made once before and it was yummy!
Yes, unsweetened cocoa powder. Enjoy!
Absolutely delicious!! Made this for my daughters birthday and now I’m about to make it again for my sons 🙂
I did want to ask – is there a vanilla version of this? Would I just leave the cocoa powder out?
I am so glad you like it! Here is my vanilla cake: https://www.yummytoddlerfood.com/easy-vanilla-cake-vegan/
Perfect recipe. My toddler n hubby loves it. I lick all the frosting so yuuummm i did Greek yogurt frosting. We will keep this recipe for all the birthdays from now.Thank you
I’m such a lover of your recipes, however, I made this for our son’s birthday and it was terrible. I hate even typing that but it is true. I followed the directions like I always do, created the cake with frosting, etc. My children took a bite and were not having it. I was dumbfounded and tasted it myself.. not good. The frosting was okay but the cake was honestly gross. We will skip this and keep on with your muffins!
Hi Amy! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I’m so excited to try it out for my son’s third birthday coming up!
Can I ask, how would the recipe change if:
1. I use honey instead of sugar?
2. I only have 5″ pans?
Thank you so much, Amy!
Hi,
I’m thinking of making this in a loaf tin as I want to eventually try and make a tractor 🤪 how long would you bake a standard loaf tin?
Thank you!
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure, but usually a loaf in a 9×5 inch pan is 350 degrees F for about 50-60 minutes. I would check this one at 40 minutes to start though since it may not take as long. Good luck!
Excellent food and Service !!!!
Beautiful place ❤️ 100% recommend!
Made this in a 9 inch cake pan for a single layer cake. It was delicious! I used store-bought frosting in a can but will try the cream cheese frosting recipe next time. Loved the star cookie cutter sprinkle hack, too.
Used this recipe for an easy Father’s Day cake. Re-using it for a birthday. It’s so easy.
AMAZING! This recipe was so easy to make and delicious. I still cannot believe how moist it was. Cannot wait to make it again. Thank you!
Cake flavour is nice. Texture-wise it was more dense than I would like, but perhaps that is the trade-off for an eggless recipe.
A PERFECT cake if you’re looking for a pastry that isn’t overly sweet so you can taste the chocolate flavor. Also super moist!
This will be the chocolate cake recipe we always use from now on.
I live in the UK and you either get distilled vinegar here or white wine vinegar. I used distilled vinegar and the cake was very flat 🙁
I read the comments after and seems like others have had similar issues with confusion around the vinegar. Could you add a photo of the vinegar you used as part of the recipe? Or maybe a sub if one was to use another type of vinegar like rice vinegar or white wine vinegar (as distilled vinegar is definitely not going to work here). Thank you!
Hi- I actually use regular white vinegar, which is the distilled kind. Not wine or rice vinegar which would have a different flavor. The more likely issue is that the baking soda isn’t working correctly, which would lead to a flat cake. I hope that helps!
Thoughts on using lemon if I don’t have white vinegar?
I haven’t tried it that way so I can’t say for sure whether it would work or not.
Tried this for the first time today after waffling for weeks. It is fantastic! I used it to make ‘healthier’ Timbits (donut holes for those not familiar with Tim Horton’s speak – I’m Canadian XD) for my Timbit-obsessed son today, and he loves them. I used the batter in the Babycakes Cake Pop maker and it worked a treat. For those of you who are struggling to find a cake mix that will bake up into the appropriate round shape of the Babycakes, this mix does it!
Thank you for an excellent recipe!
Hi Amy,
Would love to make this cake, especially because it has less sugar, but I’m wondering if l can use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar. Thank you!
I- I haven’t tried that and I have only seen other similar recipes with white vinegar so I cannot say for sure whether it would work exactly the same. Let me know if you try it!
Followed recipe exactly and after 20mins the centers are still liquidy. Any tips?
The most likely explanation is that the baking soda isn’t fresh or active. I’m sorry that happaned.
Newbie baker here– what do you mean by active?
For active baking soda? You want to make sure that your baking soda is still “good”. If it has been opened for awhile, it could have gone bad and won’t work well. To help test this: toss a spoonful of the baking soda into a bowl. Add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice or other acidic liquid. If the mixture fizzes heavily, the baking soda is still good. If you don’t get much of a fizz, your baking soda has gone bad.