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Gluten-free Chocolate Quinoa Cake

It was Ma McCarthy's birthday on Sunday and Walker and I hosted a little birthday dinner for her. I made butternut squash soup followed by Walker's kale sal
Jan 11, 2016 | Joy McCarthy

I have updated this recipe and you can find it here.

It was Ma McCarthy's birthday on Sunday and Walker and I hosted a little birthday dinner for her. I made butternut squash soup followed by Walker's kale salad from my posted on the blog in 2014 .

Walker and I took these photos today at lunch and after we finished shooting it I went to put the ice cream back and Walker was like "What are you doing? I'm going to eat that!" hehehe. I had a piece too. It was still just as moist as when I made it yesterday. The quinoa really keeps things moist and the dried cranberries added such a nice tartness. As per my recipe below, dried tart cherries would also be totally amazing instead of cranberries.

The best part about this recipe is that you'll probably have these ingredients in your kitchen already because it's nothing fancy or out of the ordinary. I had to grocery shop for the other dinner items but it was a good thing because I ended up spotting a new ice cream I've never tried before by Woolwich -- goat milk ice cream... simply GENIUS! First of all, I love goat cheese and goat yogurt, so it's about time they came out with an ice cream :)

Goat milk... in case you weren't aware is much easier for those with dairy sensitivities to digest because there is less of the problematic casein in goat. This is why I personally can eat goat products and be totally symptom-free. I found it at my local health food store but I have a feeling it must be a new-ish product because it was the first time I have ever seen it.

I also toasted coconut for the top of the cake and I will tell you how I did that in the recipe below.

This flourless chocolate cake is super moist and flavourful!

You've likely noticed the natural sugars in this recipe are more than most of my joyous recipes. I consider this cake to truly be a "treat". This is why I made it for Ma McCarthy's birthday - a high quality indulgence. However, it is far healthier and more delicious than any birthday cake you could buy at a grocery store.

By the way, the butternut squash soup was creamy and simple. I am hoping to post that recipe this week!

Have a joyous week!

20 Comments
monica   •   January 12, 2016

this looks amazing! would love to make for family birthdays as it meets our gf/dairy free needs. any recos for making this egg free? just found out my three year old can't have eggs :(

Reply
Kate McDonald Walker   •   January 13, 2016

Sharon   •   January 13, 2016

The cake looks amazing but I can't eat quinoa. Can I use something else - perhaps cooked millet? Please let me know. Thank you.

Reply
Kate McDonald Walker   •   January 13, 2016

Sharon VamosRigg   •   January 20, 2016

Wondering where to purchase the ice cream .thier products state sold in all stores but all I found was cheese. Thanks

Reply
Kate McDonald Walker   •   January 22, 2016

Sara   •   February 17, 2016

I just did it and it´s delicious!! Thanks so much for this amazing recipe :)

Reply
Kate McDonald Walker   •   February 19, 2016

Nicole   •   March 25, 2016

Omg this cake is AMAZING! I made it today for Easter dinner and everyone loved it. It is one of those " freeze half so you don't eat the whole thing" kind of cakes. It's dense, chocolatey and absolutely delicious! It was also very easy to make! We paired it with coconut milk ice cream and homemade strawberry sauce. I will definitely make this again!

Reply
Heather Allen   •   March 25, 2016

Megan   •   February 14, 2017

This is SO GOOD. Made it tonight for a Valentine's Day treat. I did a coconut whipped cream frosting on top. Seriously, just the best!

Reply
Rachel   •   February 15, 2017

Sandy Pettigrew   •   January 27, 2018

Hi Joy, I would love to make this for Valentine’s Day but I can’t eat coconut. Can you suggest substitutions for coconut oil and coconut sugar please?

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   January 28, 2018

Cherie   •   September 7, 2018

Can't wait to try this, thanks for sharing! Happy 3rd birthday Vienna!!!

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   September 9, 2018

Emily   •   September 10, 2018

Hello! Would honey work instead of maple syrup? and would reducing the amount of natural sugar levels a little still make it taste as nice do you think? Thanks

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   September 11, 2018

Karen   •   November 5, 2020

This cake is delicious

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   November 6, 2020

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