Velvety, dark, and indulgent, this dessert is a chocolate lover’s dream. It may only rise to a humble two inches, but what it lacks in size this gluten-free, flourless chocolate cake makes up for with an intense, melt-in-your-mouth flavor.
Plus, quinoa, olive oil, and walnuts make this cake an omega-rich delight. Moreover, quinoa is high in phytonutrients.1 Plus, olive oil is rich in bone-protective polyphenols. The beneficial effects of these polyphenols can be attributed to their ability to inhibit bone resorption by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation.
In fact, studies revealed that daily consumption of olive oil could prevent the decline in bone mineral density and improve bone turnover markers.2
And the best part? This beauty is SO easy to make. It’s a one-layer cake that’s rich enough to not require any frosting. That’s right. No fussy layers. No time-consuming decorating. And no special cake tools.
This moist, fudgy wonder is the way chocolate cake was meant to taste: not too dry, not too crumbly, and not too sticky. It’s so scrumptious your family and friends won’t believe it’s gluten-free. So prepare to receive many accolades from all the dessert fans in your life.
Decadent, Bone-Healthy Flourless Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup white quinoa uncooked
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups coconut sugar
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chunks
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- powdered sugar optional
- fresh fruit optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 10" round cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides with butter.
- In a small pot, combine quinoa with 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce to medium heat, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cover with a lid for 15 minutes.
- Blend quinoa, olive oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract together in a high-speed blender until the mixture is completely smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Ensure any clumps of cocoa powder are broken down.
- Stir quinoa mixture into sugar mixture until batter is fully incorporated.
- Fold chocolate chunks and walnuts into batter and pour into the prepared pan. Even out the batter with a spatula.
- Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes until the center feels stable. Check the center with a toothpick if you are unsure. The toothpick won't be entirely clean, but won't be covered in batter either.
- Allow the cake to cool entirely. It's normal and expected that the cake will sink a touch, due to its moist, fudgy nature.
- Serve the cake with a light dust of powdered sugar and top with fresh fruit!
- Chef's Tip: Always slice chocolate desserts with a heated knife for a clean cut. Do this by running the knife under hot water and wiping the water away before each cut.
Nutrition
Baking With Quinoa
As mentioned earlier, quinoa is a source of omega-3s and phytonutrients.3 It’s also packed with other nutrients including magnesium, zinc, iron, and folate. Plus, it’s protein-rich — which makes it a perfect substitute for flour in gluten-free baking.
That’s because the high protein content of quinoa replaces the gluten (gluten is a protein which gives baked goods structure and rise). In fact, the protein in cooked quinoa adds a lovely texture to baked goods.
And it’s no secret that protein is great for your bones too. In fact, it affects your bones in the following ways:
- It’s vital for muscle growth.
- It makes up a large portion of our bone matrix.
- It makes up about 50% of your bone volume and about one-third of its mass!4
- It provides the structural framework for bone.
- It raises insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) levels — a hormone that is important to boost bone density, muscle growth, and healing.5
- It increases the amount of calcium absorbed in the intestines, and therefore, the amount used by the body.
Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe Takeaways
If you like the idea of doing right by your bones while satisfying your sweet tooth, give this gluten-free, flourless chocolate cake recipe a try.
It’s packed with bone-protective protein, minerals, and omega-3s. Plus, it stays moist and delicious for up to a week. Just be sure to let it cool completely before putting your leftovers in an airtight container.
I’d love to hear what you think about the recipe. So don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know how you enjoyed it!
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References
- Yao Tang and Rong Tsao, “Phytochemicals in quinoa and amaranth grains and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential health beneficial effects: a review,” First published: 26 February 2017 https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201600767
- Kok-Yong Chin and Soelaiman Ima-Nirwana, “Olives and Bone: A Green Osteoporosis Prevention Option,” Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2016 Aug; 13(8): 755, Published online 2016 Jul 26. doi: 10.3390/ijerph13080755
- Wei Liu, Yu Zhang, Bin Qiu, Shoujin Fan, Hanfeng Ding, and Zhenhua Liu, “Quinoa whole grain diet compromises the changes of gut microbiota and colonic colitis induced by dextran Sulfate sodium in C57BL/6 mice,” Sci Rep. 2018; 8: 14916, Published online 2018 Oct 8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6175902/
- Robert P Heaney, Donald K Layman, Amount and type of protein influences bone health, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 87, Issue 5, May 2008, Pages 1567S–1570S. doi:10.1093/ajcn/87.5.1567S
- Kerstetter, J.E.; Kenny, A.M.; Insogna, K.L. Dietary protein and skeletal health: A review of recent human research. Curr. Opin. Lipidol. 2011, 22, 16–20. doi:10.1097/MOL.0b013e3283419441
Carol
February 11, 2023 , 6:04 amSounds delightful!
Questions:
-the cal rating: is this per piece?
-what does coconut sugar add – what is its special ingredient, advantage over, say brown sugar or erythrol?
Thanks, in advance for your answers