Low Sugar Chocolate Cake

Here is the cake recipe that many of you requested! As I mentioned, I’ve been really trying to cut down on my sugar intake lately, but I still love cake and want some good options. This cake is perfect for anyone looking for a lower-sugar treat. I made it recently for my mum’s birthday, and it tasted even better the next day—so feel free to make it in advance!

Serves: 10 | Gluten-Free/Dairy-Free

Ingredients:

  • 3 medium eggs, lightly beaten

  • 140g maple syrup

  • 75ml extra virgin olive oil (mild in flavour)

  • 170g 70% dark chocolate, melted

  • 140g ground almonds

  • 1/2 tsp baking powder

  • 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda

  • 1/3 tsp sea salt

  • 55g gluten-free plain flour

  • 100ml kefir or coconut yogurt

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 25g sugar

For the Icing:

  • 160g dark chocolate

  • 50g milk chocolate (I used dairy-free)

  • 360g coconut cream (from 4-5 chilled cans, just the solid cream)

  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Dusting:

  • Cocoa powder, ground almonds (10g), and blended pistachios (20g)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 170°C (fan) and grease and line a 9-inch cake tin with parchment paper.

  2. Make the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, maple syrup, sugar, and olive oil until well combined.

  3. Melt the Chocolate: Melt the 170g dark chocolate over a bain-marie (double boiler) and set aside.

  4. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the ground almonds, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, sea salt, and gluten-free flour.

  5. Mix Everything Together: Slowly stir the melted chocolate into the egg mixture, then add the dry ingredients. Finally, mix in the kefir and vanilla extract until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix!

  6. Bake the Cake: Scrape the batter into the prepared cake tin and bake in the middle of the oven for about 45 minutes, or until the top has set and a skewer inserted comes out mostly dry but slightly gooey in the middle. Let the cake cool completely.

  7. Prepare the Icing: Melt both the dark and milk chocolate over a bain-marie and let cool for 10 minutes. Scoop the solid coconut cream into a bowl (leave the coconut water behind), add maple syrup and vanilla extract, and whisk until light and fluffy. Slowly whip in the cooled melted chocolate until smooth.

  8. Decorate the Cake: Spread the icing on top of the cooled cake in one thick layer. Dust with cocoa powder, ground almonds, and pistachios for a finishing touch.

Enjoy!

This Low Sugar Chocolate Cake is rich and indulgent, but without all the added sugar. It’s perfect for birthdays or just a special treat and tastes even better the next day! Let me know if you give it a try!