It’s finally here. The chocolate cake of your dreams.
A HEALTHY chocolate cake. Or at least a healthi-ER chocolate cake.
WHAT?
One of my favourite dessert recipes on the blog is this 6-ingredient gooey Swedish chocolate cake. It’s oozy, super chocolaty heaven, and I’ll continue making it, especially when I need a delicious crowd pleasing dessert in a hurry.
BUT…
It isn’t exactly the healthiest of things to eat, is it now?
Yes, chocolate cakes really can be healthier!
It never occurred to me to try making a healthy chocolate cake before now. I guess I assumed it couldn’t possibly be as delicious as an ‘unhealthy’ one.
WRONG.
THIS healthy chocolate cake is delicious too. I’m not going to say it tastes exactly the same as the 6-ingredient gooey Swedish chocolate cake, because that wouldn’t be true.
But it’s still good. Lick the plate clean sort of good.
It’s…
- really chocolaty
- moist and a little bit gooey
- generously slathered in a healthy chocolate mousse ganache
- made with only 8 easy-to-find ingredients
- out of the oven in just 30 minutes
- packed with superfoods (yes you read that right)
So how do you make a healthy chocolate cake?
There are many ways to make healthy cakes of course, but these are the main ingredients that I include in mine…
For the cake:
- flour
- olive and/or canola oils
- eggs
- cocoa
- mashed sweet potato
- maple syrup
- vanilla
For the frosting/ganache:
- avocado
- maple syrup
- cocoa
So that’s just 8 main ingredients! (plus a tiny bit of baking soda & salt!)
Ready in only 30 minutes and NO hard-to-find ingredients
Could this healthy chocolate cake get any better?
Not only is it healthier than a regular chocolate cake, it’s quick and easy to make, too.
Even the sweet potato part is easy. I just cook a medium sweet potato in the microwave until soft, then I split open the skin and scoop out the flesh. It mashes really easily with a fork, or if you’d prefer to get it completely smooth you could pulse it for a few seconds in your food processor.
I’m cheating a bit by calling this a 30 minute cake because of course you need a bit of extra time for cooling and adding the frosting.
But essentially you can make this cake in just half an hour. Make the frosting while the cake is baking. Then you only need a few more minutes to add the frosting once the cake is cool.
So what does a healthy chocolate cake taste like?
I agonised a bit over what to call this cake. Healthy chocolate fudge cake? Healthy chocolate mud cake? Healthier chocolate cake?
But it isn’t exactly fudge cake, and it isn’t mud cake either. It’s kind of something in between, and the exact texture varies a bit depending on how long its in the oven – or the particular oven you have.
The first time I made it, it was a bit less gooey. Still delicious and moist, but more like a regular cake-y chocolate cake.
But the true magic happened the next time I made it. I took it out of the oven a bit sooner, and I slathered it in a healthy chocolate mousse frosting / ganache.
And it was perfect. IMHO.
Had mixed results with healthy cake recipes? This is a keeper for me!
How to make a healthy frosting
This healthy chocolate cake reminds me of a retro Sara Lee chocolate gateau (remember those?). The thick chocolate mousse ganache tastes very similar to the Sara Lee version, but of course it’s much healthier.
To make your healthy chocolate frosting just blend together these 3 ingredients:
- avocado
- cocoa
- maple syrup (look no refined sugar!)
Does it taste of avocado? Hmmm. If you close your eyes and think about it, yes.
But I don’t mind. I really like the rich, clean, super chocolaty taste and the smooth mousse-y texture. You could even serve this frosting by itself as a chocolate mousse.
Or use it as a healthier topping for brownies or cupcakes.
So there you go – healthy chocolate cake! If you’ve been searching for healthy cake recipes, maybe the search is over! I give you permission to enjoy a piece (or two) of this without an ounce of guilt.
Can you freeze this healthy chocolate cake?
Surprisingly, yes!
I expected the cake part to freeze just fine, but I assumed the avocado ganache part wouldn’t.
But it does! When defrosted I really couldn’t tell the difference from when it was fresh. I froze it in the middle of a large container with a lid (so that the ganache didn’t get all over the sides!) and it was fine.
You might find it easier to freeze without the ganache, though. Make the cake, then whip up the quick ganache just before serving.
I’m absolutely delighted to have discovered such a delicious (not to mention quick and easy) version of one of my favourite foods, and I hope you like it as much as I do!
More healthier desserts
- We’ve made these Greek yogurt blueberry muffins again and again, and every time they turn out beautifully. The best part? It’s a low sugar, high protein recipe!
- In the mood for brownies? Try these guilt-free double chocolate healthy brownies with TWO secret ingredients.
- I call these banana bread waffles ‘life changing’ because they taste as good as regular waffles. But they’re made with just 3 super healthy main ingredients – oats, bananas and eggs.
- If you have a food processor or high speed blender, there’s just no excuse for not trying this 5-minute chocolate banana ice cream!
- This 2-minute peanut butter mug cake is perfect for dessert ’emergencies’
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30 minute healthy chocolate cake
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
For the cake
- 1 cup sweet potato mashed – see note below
- 1 cup self-raising flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 3 eggs lightly whisked
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup maple syrup
For the chocolate mousse ganache
- 2 avocados
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup maple syrup
Instructions
For the cake
- Line the bottom of a 9 inch round cake pan with a circle of baking paper and spray the pan all over with a light coating of oil.
- Preheat the oven to 355F/180C.
- Pierce the sweet potato all over with a fork, then place on a plate or kitchen towel and microwave on high for 6 to 8 minutes until the flesh is soft. Cut open lengthwise and scoop out the flesh. Mash it well in a medium bowl or jug (or pulse in a food processor for a few seconds). Let it cool a little.
- Combine the flour, cocoa powder, salt & baking soda in a medium bowl.
- Add the eggs, vanilla, oil and maple syrup to the sweet potato and mix well with a wooden spoon. Add to the dry ingredients and mix again until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 18 minutes or until the top is just cooked and the centre is still a bit gooey.
- Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then carefully turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For the frosting
- Pulse the avocado, cocoa and maple syrup in a food processor until silky and smooth. Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting thickly all over the top and sides.
Xuan Anh To says
Our family favourite cake!!! It is super tasty and easy to make. My son loves chocolate and I looked up healthy chocolate cake recipe for his birthday. And it turned out perfect! From that on I made this cake for every birthday, special occasion because we couldn’t get enough! Thank you for this recipe.
Btw, the nutrition facts stated at the bottom, is it for one serving or for the whole cake?
Thanks again xx
Helen says
Hello! Thank you so much for the feedback – you’ve made my day, actually. I’m so glad you like it as much as I hope people will. The nutrition info is actually for one piece of cake. While this is indeed a healthier sort of cake with hidden veggies, it’s pretty high calorie because of the avocado, maple syrup, oil etc. You could say it’s the yummiest meal replacement idea ever! 🙂
Lindsay says
Omgoodness! So yummy! I had to make a ton of substitutions but they worked out perfectly. I used oat flour, vegetable oil, added 1/4 tsp of baking powder and had to get real creative with the sweetener (one part brown sugar, honey, and agave –all I had in the pantry! lol). Will definitely be making this again! Thank you!!
Helen says
It’s always useful to know which substitutions work. Thanks for the feedback, Lindsay! I’m so happy you like it! 🙂
Senna says
This was surprisingly very good and moist. Will definitely make again
Helen says
I know what you mean, Senna. I was skeptical it would work too, but it was more delicious than I could ever have hoped. So glad you liked it too! 🙂
yin Quien Ho says
Can I replace Maple syrup with Honey in equal parts and Olive oil for vegetable oil? Thanks!
Helen says
Hello! Yes, honey works as well. I once omitted the sweetener altogether by mistake and the cake turned out exactly the same, except it wasn’t sweet enough. So yes, go for it!
Mira says
Incredibly delicious! I didnt have self raising flour i used all purpose and added some baking powder. Yummiest chocolate cake I’ve ever made. Thank you!!!
Helen says
Hello Mira! So happy to hear you enjoyed it so much. It’s pretty unbelievably yummy, isn’t it? 😉
Ruwani says
Voted best chocolate cake by my 4 children and my husband!!. Made with wholemeal flour, ran out of olive oil so added coconut oil instead. Also ganache looked amazing when I made it but not the taste we were after so lightly sandwiched cakes (made two) with combo of Nutella, natural peanut butter and a dash of almond milk. Topped with fresh strawberries.
Helen says
Hi Ruwani! Thank you so much for the feedback! I”m very flattered that it got such a high rating from your family! And interested in your changes… helpful to know it works with wholemeal flour and coconut oil. Also your alternative frosting sounds incredible. Must try that myself some time! 🙂
Lilly says
Hello! Made the cake for my mum who’s currently on a diet of cutting down refined sugars, saturated fats and such, with the icing and she loved it! So do I! Definitely recommend.
Helen says
Hi Lilly! So happy to hear this! Thank you for the feedback! 🙂
Carly says
Turned out amazing and super healthy so happy to have found this recipe yum
Helen says
Thanks for the feedback, Carly – so happy you like it as much as I do! Feels too good to be true, doesn’t it?
Andry says
Hi there. I would love to try the recipe. Could I replace sweet potato with banana?
Thanks !
Helen says
Hi Andry! I’ve never tried replacing it with banana, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it worked. It might turn out a little different, but it’s worth a try if you’re game?
Joanna says
Hi
I’m really excited to try this recipe, I was wondering about the calories listed above, is that per slice? If so how many slices should I cut it into?
I’m making it tomorrow
Many thanks
Joanna xx
Helen says
Hello Joanna! I’m so glad you’re going to try the recipe. The calories are per slice, yes. It’s not a super low calorie cake but there’s lots of goodness in it 😉 It could even be a meal replacement hahahaha
Lynn says
Absolutely delicious . Gooey and the topping is perfect. Sweet and far healthier than sugar and butter.
Easy to make and like you say with practice will cut the preparation time.
My husband does not like sweet potatoes and he had no idea 😉
This will be a family favourite.
Thank you Helen.
Helen says
Hi Lynn! Thank you so much for reporting back. I couldn’t believe my luck when this turned out so delicious. I’m so glad you like it too! I’m actually just about to publish another healthy (or at least healthier!) chocolate cake recipe – this time for brownies. Should be out in about a week 😉
Marc Crockford says
This cake is so delicious. Is there a gluten free option you could recommend as eldest daughter has celiac.
Helen says
Hello Marc! Thank you! So glad you like it! It’ll be absolutely fine with gf flour! 🙂
Adam says
Hi,
Love the cake, it was easy to make and worked really well. I want to use it for my sons birthday cake and so it needs to be deeper.
Have you got any guidance on using a double or triple batch to give it more depth as I guess the cooking time and maybe temperature will change
Helen says
Hi Adam, so glad you liked it! I used this recipe to make my son’s 2nd birthday cake and it worked out really well. I just baked two cakes roughly the same size as the ones in the recipe. Then I made double the amount of frosting and used some of it to sandwich the cake together. I turned it into a ‘dirt cake’, adding things like small plastic diggers and chocolate biscuit crumbs to make it look like a construction site. Worked out SO well. If your son’s a little older though I’d just sandwich two or even three cakes together using the avocado cream. I hope that helps? 🙂
Himanshi says
Loved the recipe ! Could not believe I am making a chocolate cake with such healthy ingredients! Definitely takes the guilt away! Really chocolatey and gooey! <3
Helen says
Hi Himanshi! That’s what everyone says – so glad you enjoyed it as much as we do 🙂
Sheila says
Beyond delicious. I was dying for something decadent but had the usual guilt about the calories. So tasty and such an easy recipe. Many thanks.
Helen says
Hello Sheila! Thank you so much for the feedback. I’m so glad you think it’s beyond delicious too! I know what you mean about the guilt. When I first made this I just couldn’t believe I was eating something healthy. You might like my healthier vanilla cupcakes too (https://scrummylane.com/healthier-vanilla-cupcakes/) They’re not quite as healthy as the chocolate cake but definitely better than average on the sugar and butter front 🙂
Carmen K says
Love this recipe! Made it for a friend’s birthday and my dad’s birthday and they loved it! Making it for my birthday party this weekend too! One question- can whole wheat flour be used instead of normal flour?
Helen says
Hello Carmen! I’m so glad you’re enjoying this recipe. It’s one of my favourite on the blog. I could eat it all day long lol. No problem to use whole wheat flour. It will probably just have a slightly nuttier taste and texture. Happy birthday!
Clio says
I tried this recipe and it worked really good! Instead of a cake I made it into cupcakes. I did it for a cooking assignment and the teachers loved it!
Helen says
This is so lovely to hear, Clio – thank you so much for letting me know! I’ve never tried this as cupcakes, so thank you so much for doing the testing for me! I also have a recipe for healthier vanilla cupcakes that you might like. Let me know if you try those as well!
Jessica says
I would like the healthy vanilla cupcake recipe if you don’t mind
Helen says
Hi Jessica! No problem. Here it is: https://scrummylane.com/healthier-vanilla-cupcakes/
Enjoy!