First,a set of disclaimers on this Quinoa Chocolate Cake.
If you are expecting anything less than a perfect chocolate cake then let me disappoint you.
If you are expecting a trade off ,gummy, weird Chocolate Cake,then again this recipe will disappoint you.
If you are expecting anything other than a magical,chocolatey,fudgy,gooey cake then you are on the wrong post.Seriously!
I have listed all these disclaimers because this Quinoa Chocolate Cake is not a trade off cake.It’s not something you are forced to eat in the name of chocolate cake because of all the allergies and diets you have adopted.
Don’t make it cause you want something gluten free..make it cause you want something super Chocolatey and fudgy.
The recipe is adapted very minimally from Paula Shoyer’s Quinoa Chocolate Cake posted on Food52.The first time I came across this recipe , I was sort of astounded.Most gluten free cakes made with quinoa, usually use quinoa flour and I really wasn’t in a mood to add another speciality ingredient in my pantry just to experiment with a cake.But this cake uses cooked quinoa.The kinds you use in a salads or a stir fry.
But the real clincher of this recipe is the fact that all the mixing happens in the blender in just two steps
So cha cha cha ladies( and the handful gents who read my blog)..Don’t use up all the Quinoa
in making salads and stir fries, this recipe is a winner!
What is Quinoa
Quinoa is technically not a grain but a seed from the amaranths plant.It’s been touted as a superfood because of its nutrient profile and the fact that its gluten free makes Quinoa a perfect replacement for Wheat and rice.It is also the least allergy causing “grain” making is a great alternative for people suffering from Gluten Allergies added to the fact it has an excellent amino acids profile, making it a complete protein source.
If you aren’t into quinoa or just cant get it or dont want to buy it,dont fret.I have some more awesome chocolate recipes for you! Try my Decadent Flourless Chocolate Cake or Eggless Chocolate Cake.
Dark Quinoa Chocolate Cake for Special Diets
This cake doesn’t contain any dairy so it’s lactose free.It also has no wheat or gluten and hence it’s a great option for people on gluten free diets.
It’s a Chocolate cake that is not only heavenly(like seriously from the heaven!) and nutrient dense at the same time.Though it has an extremely decadent taste and feel ,it’s way more healthy than a traditional chocolate cake.
Tips to make the best Quinoa Chocolate Cake
The first tip as usual is to use the best quality ingredients you can afford.This especially holds true for the Chocolate
you use because that will define how dark and decadent the cake turns out.
If you like the cake on sweeter sidewise milk chocolate but like me if you are a fan of darkness and decadence, use at-least 50 % dark chocolate and above.I used Amul’s 70 % dark chocolate.
The cake is soft and moist and in its own right amazing.In my opinion the drizzle of chocolate ganache was an over kill and not required but that said if the frosting is what melts your heart, then make a thin ganache and pour it over the cooled cake.
I usually buy quinoa from healthy buddha which is an online store for organic foods.I also like the quinoa from True Elements and Urban Platter 
.
I made the cake in a bundt pan because I love the way it looks.The particular pan I have used it from Nordic Ware
.It’s the best brand for bundt pans
.
- 2 1/4 Cups of boiled Quinoa
- 1/2 Cup Orange Juice
- 3/4 Cup Coconut Oil/Vegetable Oil
- 4 Eggs
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 Cups Sugar
- 1 Cup Cocoa Powder
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 50 Gms Dark Chocolate
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or a microwave.Cool it a bit till it's not just warm.
- In a blender,Add the cooked quinoa first followed by orange juice, eggs and then rest of the ingredients along with the melted chocolate.
- Blend till you get a smooth batter-like a smoothie.The more you blend the better the texture of the cake.So take your time here(about 5-10 minutes) and keep scraping the sides with a spatula.
- Prepare a baking tin.If using a bundt cake-brush the sides with oil and sprinkle cocoa powder so that the cake comes out easily.
- Bake the cake for 50 minutes at 180 degree C.
Cooked Quinoa*-Boil 3/4 cup quinoa in 2 cups of water till well done.Takes about 20 minutes on medium flame.This can be done a day ahead.
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If you like such recipes, where I have used healthy ingredients you will love the below few recipes.Do check them out.
For more Quinoa recipes do check out my Avocado Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Dressing,Quinoa Pumpkin Salad and Super Food Salad
Healthy Buckwheat Cookies
Healthy Double Chocolate Chip Ragi Cookies
Healthy Whole Wheat Blueberry Lemon Muffins
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We are making this type of cake.. Thanks for your tips..
:D..Hope you enjoy it..
Yes ..!☺
Hi can I replace the eggs with chia eggs? If yes, do I need to make any other adjustments to qty or any other ingredients? Please let me know as I definitely am keen on trying this recipe.
You mean flax egg?
In theory it could work but honestly I haven’t tried it..
Here is an article on flax egg replacement to help you though..
Do let me know if it works…
This recipe was just what I was looking for … it’s the perfect combination of ingredients that makes it so sinful and yet so light on the palate. Can’t wait to try out the other recipes.
Thankyou so much for your review!!Really helps!
without baking powder and baking soda does the cake bake well?
also if i dont want to use refind sugar then what alternative can i use? jaggery sugar?
sorry i missed…baking powder is already there…
but does baking soda help to bake better? also any replacement to make it eggless
Hey Bhumi,
Baking Soda is a different chemical which has a different reaction from Baking Powder.That said..in a pinch you can halve the amount and use baking soda instead of a baking powder but you may not get the exact texture.
HI Chhavi. Quinoa cake is an awesome idea and the cake looks absolutely drool worthy 🙂
Thankyou so much..It is indeed the best alternate ingredient cake ever!