This EASY gluten-free chocolate sheet cake turns out moist and delicious every time!
This recipe is our family-favorite! It makes a perfect 9×13 cake – plus the chocolate frosting has a SECRET ingredient that makes it extra delicious!
I love a good, simple sheet cake! They’re easy-to-make, portable and basically fool-proof. This rich chocolate cake makes a delicious special occasion cake when you want a no-fuss, delicious recipe that everyone will love.
Sour cream and buttermilk make for the best chocolate cake for chocolate lovers! (Dairy-free option if needed.) Plus, a secret ingredient in the frosting takes it to the next level.
You could also make this into a layer cake if you want to take the presentation to the next level. (But I think the simplicity is the best part about this recipe!)
VIDEO: How to Make It
Much like this amazing gluten-free carrot sheet cake, gluten-free birthday cake and this gluten-free vanilla cake, nobody will be able to tell this cake is gluten-free. These gluten-free cupcakes and gluten-free chocolate cupcakes are also delicious options!
You also might like this gluten-free cookie cake, gluten-free red velvet cake or this chocolate orange cake!
Jump to:
- VIDEO: How to Make It
- Why You’ll Love this Easy Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Gluten Free Chocolate Cake
- Ingredients for the Chocolate Buttercream
- Make the Chocolate Frosting
- FAQ
- Expert Tips and Tricks
- More Gluten-Free Cake Recipes
- Easy, Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake (9×13!)
Why You’ll Love this Easy Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Rich chocolate flavor
- Easy to make
- Simple ingredients
- Moist, light, and fluffy crumb
Ingredients You’ll Need
A few ingredients make this gluten-free cake especially delicious. Here are a few notes on the key ingredients:
- A high-quality gluten-free 1:1 baking flour: I like to use gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend like King Arthur Flour in my baked goods. It works best to use a blend that contains xanthan gum in this recipe.
- Oil: I prefer to use oil for this gluten-free chocolate cake rather than butter. Oil allows for a light, moist crumb that doesn’t clump up as it tends too with butter.
- Buttermilk: This chocolate cake uses buttermilk for acidity and added moisture.
- Sour cream: Using part sour cream in place of what would usually be more buttermilk gives this cake stability. It also gives it a delicious flavor and richness!
- Hot water: Hot, boiling water (or hot coffee) allows the cocoa powder to absorb and the batter to hydrate properly. It also enhances the cocoa powders flavor!
Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake
You can easily make this gluten-free chocolate cake dairy-free with a few substitutions. I like to use Kite Hill dairy-free sour cream and almond milk mixed with a little apple cider vinegar. You can also use vegan butter in the frosting.
How to Make Gluten Free Chocolate Cake
- Whisk together the dry ingredients.
- In the large bowl of a stand mixer, add the wet ingredients, including sugar, coconut or vegetable oil, eggs, sour cream, buttermilk and vanilla extract. Mix on medium-high speed until totally combined.
- With the mixer running on low, slowly add the dry ingredients in 3 additions. Mixing after each addition.
- Slowly pour in the hot water. Mix on medium for 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides once until smooth and incorporated.
- Pour the batter into a 9×13 prepared cake pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting the top of the cake.
Ingredients for the Chocolate Buttercream
The chocolate frosting is rich and fluffy and made with simple ingredients that are pantry staples. Here are a few notes on the key ingredients:
- Cocoa powder: You can use any kind of cocoa powder. I usually use Hershey’s but Dutch-processed or natural cocoa powder will work as well. It will make for a richer frosting.
- Almond extract: This is the secret ingredient! I think it really makes the cake. A little almond extract compliments the rich chocolate flavors so well.
- Butter: I like to use salted butter in frosting. That little bit of salt cuts through the sweetness.
Make the Chocolate Frosting
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or using an electric mixer and large mixing bowl, add the cocoa powder. Mix to smooth any lumps.
- Add the butter and mix until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar and other remaining ingredients and mix on low until incorporated.
- Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy.
This easy gluten-free chocolate sheet cake would also be divine topped with this chocolate cream cheese frosting!
- Top the cooled cake with the frosting. Swirl and spread the frosting evenly over the cake. Slice and enjoy the rich chocolate flavor of this delicious cake!
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover cake covered tightly with plastic wrap at room temperature, or in an airtight container. This easy gluten-free chocolate cake will stay good for up to 2 days.
FAQ
How do you keep a gluten-free cake moist?
Oil and buttermilk are two of the key ingredients to rich, moist chocolate cake.
Gluten-free cakes taste better when they’re made with high-quality gluten-free flour and use oil instead of butter, which produces a lighter, moist crumb.
A gluten-free cake may not be rising because of low-quality, dense flour, or because the mixture is beaten longer than instructed.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Almond extract is the key to a delicious chocolate cake! Just a little gives the cake an unmistakable gourmet flavor.
- Want to make this easy gluten-free chocolate cake dairy-free? No problem. You can substitute Kite Hill dairy-free sour cream and almond milk mixed with a little apple cider vinegar, along with vegan butter in the frosting.
- Be sure to use high-quality gluten-free flour for this recipe. It makes all the difference when you’re wanting the absolute best gluten-free chocolate cake!
More Gluten-Free Cake Recipes
I hope you love this easy gluten-free chocolate cake recipe as much as we do! If you try it be sure to leave me a comment and star rating below. I’d love to hear from you!
Easy, Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake (9×13!)
Video
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups gluten-free 1:1 baking flour 310 grams
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 50 grams
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Other:
- 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar 350 grams
- ½ cup oil vegetable, canola or coconut oil will work (melted if using coconut oil)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup hot water
For the Frosting:
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 35 grams
- ½ cup butter softened to room temperature
- 3-4 cups confectioners’ sugar 340-450 grams
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9x13inch pan with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the sugar, coconut oil, eggs, sour cream, buttermilk and vanilla extract. Mix on medium-high speed until totally combined.
- With the mixer running on low, slowly add the dry ingredients in 3 additions. Mixing after each addition. Slowly pour in the hot water. Mix on medium for 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides once until smooth and incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the cocoa powder. Mix to smooth any lumps. Add the butter and mix until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and mix on low until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy.
- Top the cooled cake with the frosting. Swirl and spread the frosting evenly over the cake. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- A high-quality gluten-free 1:1 baking flour: I like to use gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend like King Arthur Flour in my baked goods. It works best to use a blend that contains xanthan gum in this recipe.
- Oil: I prefer to use oil for this cake rather than butter. Oil allows for a light, moist crumb that doesn’t clump up as it tends too with butter.
- Buttermilk: This chocolate cake requires the moisture and acidity from buttermilk.
- Sour cream: Using part sour cream in place of what would usually be more buttermilk gives this cake stability. It also gives it a delicious flavor and richness!
- Hot water: Hot water allows the cocoa powder to absorb and the batter to hydrate properly. It also enhances the cocoa powders flavor!
- Cocoa powder: You can use any kind of cocoa powder. I usually use Hershey’s but Dutch-processed will work as well. It will make for a richer frosting.
- Almond extract: This is the secret ingredient! I think it really makes the cake. A little almond extract compliments the rich chocolate flavors so well.
- Butter: I like to use salted butter in frosting. That little bit of salt cuts through the sweetness.
- Use Kite Hill dairy-free sour cream in place of the sour cream.
- Use 1/2 cup almond milk + 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar in place of the buttermilk.
- Use vegan butter in the frosting.
Made this recipe for the first time. The recipe lives up to its promises. Great texture and flavor. And it didn’t sink in the middle which my prior gf chocolate cake recipe always did. And the frosting tastes super. This recipe is a keeper.
I’m so glad it turned out for you! Thanks for the comment 🙂
I was bummed when I found out shortly before our son’s seventh birthday that he needed to be gluten free. I wanted to make him a really yummy gluten-free birthday cake–and this was it! It was absolutely delicious! I didn’t try this frosting recipe, but the cake was outstanding! Thanks for helping him have a yummy birthday!
Aww I’m so honored you and your family enjoyed it! Good luck with starting eating gluten-free!
Hi, can you freeze this?
Yes actually! Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. It should freeze great!
Do you think it would work to make the cake ahead of time and freeze? Then frost after thawed? Thanks!
This cake will freeze great actually! You’ll want to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in a layer of foil. I hope this helps!
Would it work to bake it in 8″ round pans as well? I assume I’ll need to adjust the time.
Yes that will work great! I would guess the bake time would be closer to 30-35 minutes. I would start looking at it around 25 minutes. I hope this helps!
Can you add 1 cup of coffee instead of water? I use acid free so as not add more acid to the cake
Absolutely! That would give the cake a nice flavor too. Let me know how it turns out for you!
Hello, Can I use another brand of flour such as Dove gluten free self raising flour, I am a uni student and I don’t think I am going to be able to spend £22 on flour.
Hey Abi! Unfortunately I’m not familiar with Dove GF flour since they don’t carry it very many place in the US. A self-raising flour isn’t the best choice here though. I’d stick to a plain flour. I hope this helps!
Excellent! Easy to make, moist and not dense like other gluten free cakes. I use Pamela’s artisan all purpose gluten free flour. I don’t use measuring cups, I weigh everything which is important with gf baking. I also use hot coffee instead of hot water and it tastes amazing!
I’m so happy it turned out for you! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
this is everything that I wanted becoming a gluten free eater! thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!
We devoured this cake in two days! It was so easy to make, rich and delicious and I already can’t wait to make it again!
Loved this chocolate cake! Can’t believe it was gluten free! So good!
Do the eggs, buttermilk, and sour cream need to be room temperature for this cake? Can’t wait to try it!!
It always helps if they are, but it’s also ok if they’re cold for this recipe.
I rarely comment on any recipes but I had to just say how much we enjoyed this cake and how easy it was to bake thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment 🙂
Do you have a glute-free strawberry cake?
I don’t have one at this time but it’s on my list of recipes to create!
Can this recipe be used to make a 2 layer cake? What proportion changes and cook time adjustments would be necessary?
Oh my. Thank you! I am trying to be gluten free and I have to be lactose free. This cake is dangerous! I used half almond flour and half paleo flour.both from Bake Good. I used coconut sugar almond milk and dairy free sour cream. Even with the substitutions it was still great!.
So great to know the cake turned out well with those substitutions! Thanks for the comment so others can know those ingredients work well too!