• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
freebie! download my top 8 dessert recipe ebook

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Erin Lives Whole

Healthy Eats + Delicious Treats

  • Recipe Index
    • Course
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch & Dinner
      • Dessert
      • Soup
      • Sides
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Sauces & Dips
    • Dessert Type
      • Bars & Balls
      • Breads & Muffins
      • Brownies
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cookies
      • Frozen
      • Pie & Cobbler
      • Other
    • Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Nut-Free
      • Paleo Friendly
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • Method
      • 30 Minute or Less
      • Air Fryer
      • Grill
      • Instant Pot
      • Meal Prep
      • No Bake
      • One Pot/Pan
      • Oven
      • Stove Top
    • Season
      • Fall
      • Holiday
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
    • Recipe Filter
    • All Recipes
  • Ebooks
  • Shop
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
  • Subscribe to receive latest recipes

    Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

  • Browse by Diet
    • Gluten-Free
    • Dairy-Free
    • Nut-Free
    • Paleo Friendly
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch & Dinner
  • Drinks
  • Snacks
  • Dessert
  • Appetizers
Home By Dessert Type

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

★★★★★ 2 Reviews Recipe Print
gf vg
By: Erin1/11/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
Gluten Free Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Treat yourself to a delicious Gluten Free Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting. The almond flour and cocoa powder made cake tastes delicious with a butter and peanut butter frosting and a rich chocolate drizzle!

chocolate peanut butter cake

A drool-worthy chocolate cake with peanut butter icing

There’s nothing like a fresh-out-of-the-oven piece of warm chocolate cake. And when it’s topped with peanut butter icing, things are looking even better.

Today we’re baking the most delicious fluffy cake and creating a butter and powdered sugar frosting for on top. The flavor combinations create a cake that’s just downright drool-worthy! I like going the three-tier route with this one, but you can also go with two pans or a sheet cake version!

chocolate peanut butter cake

Ingredients in peanut butter chocolate cake

Chocolate peanut butter cake uses 8 ingredients for the cake base and 4 for the frosting. Together, these ingredients create a flavorful cake that’s made complete with a yummy chocolate drizzle!

Chocolate Cake

  • Almond flour: To begin, you will need 3 cups of almond flour. This will be a delicious base for the chocolate cake!
  • Cocoa powder: From there we’ll add the chocolate component with 2/3 cup of cocoa powder.
  • Baking soda: Add 1 tsp of baking soda to help the cake cook properly.
  • Salt: Include 1/2 tsp of salt for flavor!
  • Eggs: Next, use 5 eggs to create a fluffy cake and to help the ingredients bind together well.
  • Coconut oil: 1/2 cup of melted coconut oil will serve as the oil component of this recipe.
  • Maple syrup: To create a sweet flavor naturally, include 1 cup of maple syrup. This ingredient also contributes to the texture!
  • Vanilla: The final ingredient of the cake consists of 1 tbsp of vanilla.

Peanut Butter Frosting

  • Butter: 1 cup of softened butter makes up the base of the peanut butter frosting. It’s such a tasty way to create the icing!
  • Peanut butter: Use 3/4 cup of natural peanut butter to achieve the proper flavor.
  • Powdered sugar: 4 cups of powdered sugar helps us create the correct frosting consistency, and it adds sweet flavor.
  • Almond milk: Throw in 3-6 tbsp of almond milk as needed.

For a delicious chocolate drizzle, melt 1/3 cup of chocolate chips and 1 tsp of coconut oil together and drizzle on top of the frosted cake.

chocolate peanut butter cake

Kitchen tools you’ll need for this recipe

To make this gluten free chocolate cake, you’ll need a few cooking items. Grab your cake pans, mixing bowls, and measuring cups, and let’s get rolling!

  • Cake pans – either three 2 inch or two 6 inch
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Stirring utensil
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Handheld mixer

For measuring, you will need 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 2/3 cup, 3/4 cup, and 1 cup

How to make gluten free chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting

We’ll start off with the cake, and then we’ll create the frosting while it bakes. Add everything together, and voila! A rich and fluffy chocolate cake.

To begin, preheat the oven to 350ºF and grease three 6 inch cake pans. You can also use two 8 inch pans if preferred.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix together the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

Whisk the eggs and coconut oil in a large mixing bowl. Then, add the maple syrup and vanilla.

Add the dry ingredietns to the wet and stir until combined. Divide the batter evenly among the cake pans.

Bake the batter for 26-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

While the cakes are baking, use a handheld mixer to beat together the butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. Add the powdered sugar slowly, cup by cup.

Then, add the almond milk as needed until the frosting is fluffy.

Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool for ten minutes, and then remove them from the pans and let them continue cooling on a wire rack.

Once cool, add the frosting. Optionally add chocolate drizzle.

making chocolate peanut butter cake

How this cake is healthier

When it comes to baking, it is so simple to make things healthy. With a few ingredients swaps, you have a healthier sweet treat at your fingertips! For this recipe, I used 6 healthier items.

Almond flour
First, I skipped all purpose flour and went with almond instead. This is a usual occurrence in my baking, and it’s an easy swap to make! The flavor change isn’t noticeable.

Cocoa powder
Next, I added chocolate the natural way by using cocoa powder. Rather than using a regular chocolate cake mix, use cocoa powder for a healthier result and a rich flavor.

Coconut oil
Skip the vegetable and canola oils and opt for coconut — a simple, healthy swap! Use refined for undetectable flavor.

Maple syrup
Maple syrup is the perfect way to add sweet flavor naturally. It tastes amazing in baked goods! Two more natural options are honey and molasses.

Natural peanut butter
Skip the processed nut butters and use a natural option instead. Less processed ingredients is always the healthier way!

Almond milk
Finally, I skipped regular milk and opted for almond milk instead. I love this plant-based option. It tastes great and makes for a fluffy cake!

chocolate peanut butter cake

Substitution Tip

Wondering about ingredient substitutions? This recipe allows for a few!

  • Coconut oil: Coconut oil can be easily swapped with any baking oil like vegetable or canola.
  • Maple syrup: For an equally natural option, you can use honey or molasses in place of maple syrup. Because each of these have a different level of sweetness, I recommend starting with a small amount and adding to taste.
  • Peanut butter: Any nut butter will work well in this recipe which means you can use almond, cashew, or whatever you’d like!
  • Almond milk: Finally, you can sub almond milk with any milk whether regular or plant based.

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

If you loved this chocolate cake with peanut butter icing, its’ definitely worth diving into some more delicious peanut buttery recipes!

  • Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Bars with Pretzels
  • Healthy Peanut Butter Brownie Bites
  • Protein Peanut Butter Cups
  • Healthy Peanut Butter Pie (Dairy-Free)
chocolate peanut butter cake
chocolate peanut butter cake
★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Treat yourself to a delicious Gluten Free Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting. The almond flour and cocoa powder made cake tastes delicious with a butter and peanut butter frosting and a rich chocolate drizzle!

Prep: 20Cook: 30Total: 50 minutes
Yield 12 slices 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

  • 3 cups almond flour
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 5 eggs
  • 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
  • 1 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp vanilla

Peanut Butter Frosting

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup natural peanut butter
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 3–6 tbsp almond milk
  • optional: 1/3 cup chocolate chips melted with 1 tsp coconut oil for drizzle

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F and grease 3 6-inch cake pans. Alternatively use 2 8-inch pans.
  2. In a medium sized bowl, mix together almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and coconut oil. Add in maple syrup and vanilla.
  4. Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until combined. Divide evenly among cake pans.
  5. Bake for 26-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  6. While cakes are baking, use a handheld mixer to beat together butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. Add the powdered sugar slowly, cup by cup. Add almond milk as needed until frosting is fluffy.
  7. Let cakes cool ten minutes in pans then take them out and cool on wire rack.
  8. Once totally cool, frost cake. Add the optional chocolate drizzle.
Author: ErinCategory: cake, dessert, gluten-freeMethod: ovenCuisine: AmericanDiet: Gluten Free
chocolate peanut butter cake

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

erinliveswhole

There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

You May Also Like...

  • Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches (Gluten-free)
  • skillet peanut butter cookie
    Peanut Butter Cookie Skillet (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
  • peanut butter cookies
    Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookie Cups
  • healthy peanut butter chocolate chip cookies on tray
    Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free)
chocolate chip cookies
free ebook

get my free top 8 desserts ebook!

A dessert lover’s heaven – six healthier sweet treats all made with six ingredients or less!

download now

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love seeing what you made!

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Emily says

    Posted on 5/21 at 5:38 pm

    This was absolutely delicious. Couldn’t tell it was almond flour at all. The texture and taste was just like regular chocolate cake.
    Added a shot of espresso because I love how coffee complements chocolate. Thank you for such amazing, healthy dessert recipes!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 5/23 at 12:06 pm

      Hi Emily, so happy you loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Laura says

    Posted on 5/17 at 3:00 pm

    Hi Erin! Under Kitchen Tools description section, I think you meant it to be 3 6” pans instead of 3 2” pans; also maybe 2 8” pans instead of 2 6” pans?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 5/23 at 12:11 pm

      Hi Laura, thanks for letting me know. Follow the recipe card for best results!

      Reply
  3. Carrie A Powell says

    Posted on 5/10 at 1:40 pm

    Is the batter supposed to be really thick?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 5/11 at 8:17 am

      Hi Carrie, it will be thick, but nothing you can’t spread.

      Reply
  4. Katie says

    Posted on 2/19 at 1:04 pm

    Any substitute for butter in the frosting to make this vegan? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/21 at 6:12 pm

      Hi Katie, yep, you can use vegan butter. Let me know how your cake comes out!

      Reply
  5. Christina says

    Posted on 8/27 at 8:26 pm

    Made this today for my husbands bday. He LOVED it, so did I;-) loved the simple ingredients with all my pantry staples.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/1 at 5:30 pm

      Hi Christina, so glad he loved it and happy belated birthday to him!!

      Reply
  6. Katie H. says

    Posted on 1/16 at 6:53 pm

    Very good and not too sweet! I would also say, this is an easy recipe, just time consuming of course. I will be making this again! If you love peanut butter I highly recommend.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/19 at 10:02 am

      Hi Katie, so happy you loved the cake! 🙂

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

erin in front of a building

Hey there!

I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

grocery lists

Shop My Grocery Downloads

Do you head to the grocery store and feel overwhelmed with all of the options? Well, I've created FIVE downloadable and printable grocery lists from five different and popular grocery stores. All of my absolute must haves from Whole Foods, Target, a regular grocer, Trader Joe's, and Costco!

Shop Now

Popular Posts

chickpea brownie on a tray

Chickpea Brownies

bite out of healthy cookie dough ball

Healthy Cookie Dough Balls

cauliflower wings on plate

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

pouring syrup on stack of oatmeal blender pancakes

Oatmeal Blender Pancakes

chocolate chip cookies

get my free top 8 desserts ebook!

A dessert lover’s heaven – six healthier sweet treats all made with six ingredients or less!

Download Now

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Trending Recipes

avocado corn salad

Avocado Corn Salad

cilantro lime shrimp on plate

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Cauliflower Rice

paleo cookie skillet with ice cream

Healthy Cookie Skillet

banana bread muffin on a rack

Paleo Banana Bread Muffins

Featured On

good housekeeping logo
parade logo
feed feed logo
business insider logo
everyday health logo
country living logo
bar desserts
truffles
bar desserts
bar desserts
muffins
vanilla birthday cake with chocolate icing

Get latest updates To your inbox!

Back to Top
© 2023 Erin Lives Whole
  • Privacy Policy
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled