30 Minute Healthy Chocolate Cake
on Apr 23, 2022
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This healthy chocolate cake will blow your mind. Moist and gooey and covered in a delicious 3-ingredient healthy chocolate ganache, no one will believe it’s a healthy cake. It’s refined sugar free, dairy free and contains not one but two hidden vegetables!
It’s finally here. The easy chocolate cake of your dreams. A HEALTHY chocolate cake. Or at least a healthi-ER chocolate cake. As one reader put it, “It’s sneakily healthier. So my brain will be happy.”
One of my favourite easy chocolate dessert recipes is this incredible 6-ingredient gooey Swedish chocolate cake. It’s oozy, super chocolaty heaven, and I’ll continue making it when I need a delicious crowd pleasing dessert in a hurry.
But as it isn’t the healthiest thing to eat, I thought I’d try to come up with a healthier chocolate cake recipe that tastes just as good.
And it really does!
Table of Contents
What’s so great about it?
- It’s really moist and gooey with a rich chocolate flavor. You just CAN’T TELL it’s a healthy cake.
- It’s covered in a super quick and easy thick layer of healthy chocolate frosting (tastes like mousse!).
- It’s such an easy recipe, made with only 8 easy-to-find wholesome ingredients.
- It’s a very quick healthy cake, out of the oven in just 30 minutes.
- It’s packed with ‘hidden’ superfoods (yes you read that right) – sweet potato and avocado! But don’t worry, you don’t taste either.
- It makes a perfect healthier birthday cake! I made it for my son’s second birthday. I doubled the ingredients and made a ‘digger cake‘. It came out so well!
About the ingredients
There are several ways to make healthy chocolate cakes, of course. But I really wanted to stick to ingredients that you already have in your pantry, or are really easy to find.
This is all you need.
For the cake (7 simple ingredients)
- Self-raising flour: Note that this is not the same as ‘self rising flour’ that you’ll find in the US. To make your own self-raising flour, simply mix 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder into a cup of all-purpose flour. The recipe also works with whole wheat flour!
- Olive oil: I like to use a light olive oil for its health properties. I don’t think you can taste it in the finished cake. You can however use another type of oil if you prefer, such as canola oil, avocado oil or melted coconut oil. One reader even replaced half of the oil with Greek yogurt and said it worked really well although she had to bake for slightly longer.
- Eggs: You’ll need 3 large eggs. It is also possible to make this cake egg free. Check out the FAQ section below for ideas!
- Cocoa: Because this cake has a lovely deep chocolaty flavor, I’d recommend using a high quality unsweetened cocoa powder. You can use cacao powder instead, but it might have a slightly more bitter flavor.
- Mashed sweet potato: Surprise! You’ll need a whole cup of cooked sweet potato to make this cake. No one will taste it, but you’ll feel smug watching everyone tuck into their gooey dessert knowing that it’s got a hidden veggie in it, right?
- Maple syrup: Make sure you get pure maple syrup and not a cheaper maple-flavored syrup (which is really just sugar).
- Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon for extra flavor.
For the frosting/ganache (3 simple ingredients)
- Avocado: The second ‘hidden vegetable’! As with the sweet potato, you don’t really taste it in the finished cake. Make sure you plan ahead so that you have ripe avocado that will blend easily.
- Maple syrup: More of the good stuff! You can replace with another kind of healthy syrup such as agave syrup or date syrup if you like.
- Cocoa: As in the cake batter, make sure you use a good quality cocoa for the best chocolaty flavor.
So that’s just 8 main ingredients! (plus a tiny bit of baking soda & salt)
How do you make a healthy chocolate cake?
Could this cake get any better? Not only is it a healthier chocolate cake recipe, it’s so quick and easy to make. Even the sweet potato part is simple!
Here’s what you do.
Step 1: Prepare the sweet potato. Cook a medium sweet potato in the microwave until soft (6 to 8 mins). Then 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.
Step 2: Whisk the wet ingredients (eggs, vanilla, oil and maple syrup) into the sweet potato.
Step 3: Stir in the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, cocoa, salt).
Step 4: Pour into a springform pan lined with baking paper.
Step 5: Bake for 18 minutes for the best results. I know that’s very specific but you want the top to be set but the inside still a little gooey.
Step 6: Let cool completely. Make the frosting while you’re waiting!
I know, I’m cheating a bit by calling this a 30 minute cake. You do of course need a bit of extra time for cooling and adding the frosting!
How to make a healthy frosting
This cake reminds me of a retro Sara Lee chocolate gateau (remember those?). The thick mousse-like chocolate frosting tastes very similar to the Sara Lee version. But of course it’s much healthier.
To make it just blend together the ripe avocado, cocoa and maple syrup. That’s honestly all you have to do. It’ll take just minutes.
You can even make it ahead if you like. Surprisingly, it keeps well. Just cover and keep in the fridge. The avocado won’t go brown.
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 texture. You could even serve this frosting by itself as a chocolate mousse.
Or use it as a healthier topping for brownies or cupcakes.
What does a healthy chocolate cake taste like?
I remember agonising over what to call this. It isn’t exactly fudge cake, and it isn’t mud cake either. It’s something in between, and the exact texture varies 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 the healthy chocolate mousse frosting / ganache.
And it was perfect. As already mentioned, avocado and sweet potato haters can relax because you really don’t know they’re there. 😉
Had mixed results with healthy cake recipes? This is a keeper for me! it tastes like a decadent dessert. It’s so deliciously gooey and chocolaty – but without the guilt!
So if you’ve been searching for healthy cake recipes, maybe the search is over! Enjoy a piece (or two) of this without an ounce of guilt.
How to serve it
This cake really doesn’t need anything else with it. I usually grate a little dark chocolate over the top and I’m done.
But if they happen to be in season, why not pile some strawberries or other fresh berries on top just before serving?
Many readers have also used this recipe for their child’s birthday cake. It’s so easy to double the recipe and make 2 cakes instead of one. I’d also recommend doubling the frosting and using half to sandwich the cakes together and half to go on the top.
You can enjoy any leftovers with a spoon straight out of the bowl!
I even used this recipe to make a digger (construction) cake for my son’s second birthday. It was so easy to make!
Helen’s top tips
- Don’t overbake this cake! The baking time might vary a little depending on your oven, but I find 18 minutes is perfect.
- This can be a single layer, double layer or even triple layer cake. Just double or triple the ingredients, and pour into 2 or 3 round baking pans instead of one.
- If you have any sweet potato left over, freeze for next time!
More things to know (recipe FAQ)
Keep it in the fridge in an airtight container. It will keep well like this for at least 3 to 4 days, and probably longer.
Surprisingly, yes!
When I first tried freezing this, 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 may find it easier to freeze without the ganache, though. Make the cake, then whip up the quick ganache just before serving.
I haven’t tried making this cake without eggs myself. However, a reader made the cake twice, substituting the eggs with 3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt and said it worked very well!
Here’s a good article with information about possible substitutes for eggs.
Yes! While I haven’t tried using all of these substitutes myself, others have. They work. 🙂
Honey, agave syrup, date syrup or rice malt syrup work instead of maple syrup if that’s what you have or prefer. You can even add a little brown sugar if you’re short on maple syrup.
Once, I completely forgot to add the maple syrup. The cake turned out with exactly the same texture and still tasted OK once I’d added the sweet frosting. Whoops.
No, it isn’t. It’s full of healthy ingredients, but some of them are quite calorific. If you’re on a calorie controlled diet, I suggest simply having a smaller piece. Enjoy!
I’m absolutely delighted to have discovered such a delicious (not to mention quick and easy) version of one of my favourite foods. I hope you like it as much as I do!
Need gluten-free? You can use gluten-free flour in this recipe, or try these one bowl gluten free brownies instead. / Looking for healthier party cakes? Try these healthy vanilla cupcakes with a super easy 2-ingredient frosting.
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 healthy chocolate banana ice cream!
- This 2-minute peanut butter mug cake is perfect for dessert ’emergencies’
Also check out this list of 25 healthier cakes (lower sugar, but still taste great!).
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30 Minute Healthy Chocolate Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 cup sweet potato, mashed – see note below
- 1 cup self-raising flour, NOT self-rising flour. To make self-raising flour, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1.5 teaspoons baking powder.
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 3 eggs, lightly whisked
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup olive oil, light
- ½ cup maple syrup
For the chocolate mousse ganache
- 2 avocados, ripe
- 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. 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.
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?
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!
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!
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!
I would like the healthy vanilla cupcake recipe if you don’t mind
Hi Jessica! No problem. Here it is: https://scrummylane.com/healthier-vanilla-cupcakes/
Enjoy!
Like the cake a lot. I used 1/4 a cup of greek yogurt and a 1/4 of cup of oil and used golden syrup instead of maple syrup. Place a home made custard on as an icing.
Hi Quentin! Love your ‘cheeky’ substitutions, and good to know it still worked well. 🙂
Making the cake for work for tomorrow. It is a colleague birthday. They can’t belive that it have sweet potato in and wanted the cake to taste.
Told them it is delicious…so will see what they say tomorrow
Hi Quentin! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake as much as you hoped? I really hope so!
Yes they did. One evin asked for the recipe so i gave her the address to your site and told her i got the recipe from this site.
Very happy to hear this! 🙂
I tried this today and followed the recipe exactly as mentioned. Only difference for me was that the frosting was too thick so I added some coconut milk.
This was delicious!! Nicely moist and gooey, I couldn’t tell there was sweet potato or avocado in there!! Also the olive oil did not smell at all. Highly recommend this 🤗 thank you!
Hi Radina! I’m sooo pleased you liked it! Actually everyone seems to, which is very encouraging. Thank you so much for leaving a review!
This recipe honestly blew me away. I wanted to make a reduced fat and sugar chocolate cake for my mums birthday, as she is not allowed to eat large amounts of either and I didn’t want her to feel too guilty about having a piece. She absolutely loved it and what’s more, my two boys had seconds and thirds! It is such a delicious, fudgy treat and will join my list of favourite cake recipes for sure!
Hi Victoria, and thank you so much for reporting back and for your enthusiasm about this cake! Amazing, isn’t it? I couldn’t believe it either the first time I made it. Everyone comments how they can’t believe it’s a healthy cake. Who knew vegetables could be so amazing in a dessert? I’m especially happy that this made your mum happy on her birthday! 🙂
This cake is amazingly delicious!! Made it for my daughter’s second birthday, and we all loved it! So rich, chocolatey, and moist, as you described. I loved it so much I’m making it for my birthday soon, too :).
Hello Blair! I’m so happy you like it! It makes such a great birthday cake, doesn’t it? I love listening to everyone exclaim that they can’t believe it’s a healthy cake 😉 I just posted another slightly healthier gooey dessert too – a chocolate self saucing pudding. It isn’t quite as healthy as this but it has considerably less sugar than similar recipes 🙂
Dear Helen,
This recipe is absolutely fantastic!
I don’t bake much, just occasionally, but your recipe made me feel like I am a Star Baker!
I have promised my 5 years daughter a chocolate cake and I was desperate to find a healthy option (less butter, less sugar, less chocolate). I was so fortunate to come across your receipe.
Is exactly as you describe!
Moist, reach, chocolatey, gooey, simply delicious!
It is a chocolate cake of my dreams!
Came out beautifully,
18 min baking time worked just perfectly
Thank you
Thank you!
I am definitely going to check your other receipies
Hi Irena, and thank you SO MUCH for such a glowing review – you’ve made my day! It makes me very happy to hear that the recipe turned out exactly as it turns out for me. Actually I’ve just posted a new chocolate dessert recipe. It isn’t ‘healthy’ as such, but it is somewhat lower in sugar than you’d expect. The Greek yoghurt blueberry muffins are really popular too – we make them all the time and even my muffin hating husband loves them! Thank you again for this lovely review – I hope you have a lovely day!
I just made the ganache today to see how it would turn out and it was great! Before making the cake, I have a few questions.
Can self rising flour be replaced with regular flour combined with baking powder? If yes, do you happen to know the proportions? Also, can olive oil be replaced with apple sauce? It works great with brownies, can it be done with this cake as well?
Thank you!
Hi Lana! So glad you’re going to make this – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! You can definitely replace the sr flour with regular. The usual ratio is 1.5 teaspoons baking powder per cup of flour. Add a pinch of baking soda too if you have it, and half a teaspoon of salt. I’m not sure about the apple sauce as I haven’t tried it in this cake. I think it would be a bit of a gamble but if it works well with brownies then I would say there’s a very good chance it would work. Sorry I can’t give a more definitive answer, but I’d be really interested to know how you got on if you do try this replacement. Good luck!
This was great – I made for my son’s birthday and we put 100s and 1000s on it.
He was so excited!
He loved it, I loved it and so did my husband.. now I’m telling everyone about this recipe.
This is better than a traditional chocolate cake.
I don’t use maple syrup, so used rice malt syrup instead. Worked great.
Thank you for this recipe. Will definitely make again!
Hi Ravneel! Ohhh, thank you SO much for letting me know! I love that it worked out well for your son’s birthday and I love your idea of adding 100s and 1000s – easy but perfect for a birthday. What a compliment – thank you again! It’s also great to hear that you used rice malt syrup effectively. Actually I think any healthier sweetener in liquid form would work – I really like date syrup. I also have a healthier cupcake recipe (not saintly, but a bit healthier) in case you need a different idea for next year 😉
I am pregnant and decided to make this cake to satisfy my chocolate craving as a healthier alternative. I make lots of different healthy dessert recipes and in all honestly most of them taste raw or healthy but this cake is delicious and it only took me 40mins. My son is allergic to dairy so I am excited for him to try this too. Thank you!
Hi Kira! Oh, how exciting! I hope you and baby are doing well and you’re navigating your way through these difficult times OK. Thank you so much for the great review of the cake. Nearly everyone I’ve made this for has commented on the fact that it doesn’t taste like a healthy cake. I wasn’t sure whether it would work and was so delighted when it did!
Hi Helen,
Thank you for your reply sorry I didn’t see it until just now as I have just finished making this delicious cake again (thank you again hehe). We are good thank you I hope you and your family are too. Sorry if I have missed it but I just wondered how many days this cake saves for in the fridge? Last time I froze it in slices after 3 days and defrosted it as we wanted a slice and it was still great Xx
No worries, Kira – I’m so happy you liked it enough to make it again! 😉 I seem to remember picking at this cake once for a good 3 to 5 days after making it, but to be honest I think it’ll be good for even longer – up to a week. The first time I made it I expected the avocado icing to change colour, but it didn’t. Just make sure it’s in the fridge of course and you should have leftovers for quite a few days!