Thursday, May 23, 2013

Guilt-free Luscious Chocolate Cake



Chocolate!  There aren't many desserts I love more than something chocolate, especially chocolate cake.  I mean, seriously, almost everyone LOVES chocolate.

When I cut out white sugar and white flour from my diet, the chocolate cake went, too!  But this homemade, from scratch recipe is just the ticket to satisfy that chocolate craving!  It uses honey and whole wheat flour and you would never know it! ( I will tell you that it is a little less sweet than box cake but just as moist and tasty!)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 2/3 cup cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup butter or extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups honey
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla (you are using your DIY vanilla, right?)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup water

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Grease and flour two 9 inch round baking pans or one 9x13 inch baking pan.  
  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 
  • In the large bowl of your mixer, cream butter (oil), honey and vanilla.
  • Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. 
  • Gradually add flour mixture alternately with water.  When all ingredients are added, beat for 2 minutes.  
  • Spread into prepared pans.
  • Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, depending on pan size, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  
  • Cool in pans for 15 minutes, remove from pans if using the round pans.

Serve with fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries or if sugar is not a problem for you, try this easy and delicious homemade frosting.


Frosting:

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup shortening (like Crisco) or coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 4 cups confectioner's sugar
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla  (you are using your DIY vanilla, right?)

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Beat on low speed until well blended and smooth.
  • This amount covers a 9x13 pan. Double the recipe for a two layer cake.
  • Note: 8 cups of confectioner's sugar = one 32 ounce bag.

Now you can have your cake and eat it, too!!







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28 comments:

  1. Mmm, looks delicious! My mom has a recipe like this but it uses yogurt, which I don't like to have dairy as much. So this is perfect! :) Thank you for sharing Miss Gloria, I can't wait to try it! :D

    {And gorgeous images Julia!}
    Love and Hugs!
    ~Rachel~

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    1. You're welcome! I sure hope you like it! We are just finishing up this cake and it is so good!
      Blessings,
      Gloria

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  2. I like this recipe. I pin it for me. Today I began to follow your blog.

    Have a nice day!

    Cecilia

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    1. Thanks for following, we're glad to have you!! Also, thank you for pinning the cake! :)
      Have a great day!
      Gloria

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  3. You had me at "guilt free" chocolate! Oh, does sugar have me in a vice grip right now. I applaud you for letting go of it along with white flour. How long did it take you to not feel the pull of wanting it? Anyway, I will try this recipe ... excited to have an alternative!!

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    1. Yeah, it's guilt-free if you don't mind honey and whole wheat flour. :) I stopped the whites in order to help the Rheumatoid Arthritis that I have. I think it really has helped and I lost over 30 pounds, very slowly, which is great! It took a while, maybe a few weeks to a month before I stopped craving the white sugar. It is amazing how your taste changes when you stop the white sugar. Things taste so much sweeter, like raw carrots and you need less sweetener in general. I highly recommend it.
      Best wishes,
      Gloria

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  4. yum! sounds delicious. visiting from blog hops.

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  5. I love that this is guilt free! Pinned this! Thanks for linking up at Family Fun Friday. Sincerely,
    Monica
    http://happyandblessedhome.com

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    Replies
    1. Oh yes, guilt-free is great! Thanks for pinning our post! :)

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  6. Wishing you a peaceful Memorial Day Weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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    Replies
    1. Well hello, Miz Helen! ;) Thanks for coming by! We'll be back! Hope your Memorial Day weekend was blessed!

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  7. yum!!!! That looks and sounds delicious!!

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    1. You should try it, Annmarie, you would love this! :)

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  8. Honey is a great substitute because it usually brings moisture to a dessert.

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    1. This is true, Suzy! And this cake is definitely nice and moist. :D

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  9. Fabulous recipe! Pinning! Thanks so very much for sharing at Weekend Potluck.

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    1. Thanks for pinning our post, Marsha! And you're quite welcome!

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  10. Chocolate cake that is guilt free?? Yes, please :)

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    1. Oh yes!! :D That is the best thing about this awesome cake... it's actually pretty good for you! :D

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  11. These look amazing! I've been wanting to experiment more with wheat flour, thanks so much for sharing this at Give Me the Goods Monday Link Party! My kids are going to love these!

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    1. Oh, thanks! Yes, we try to use mostly wheat flour. I hope they like them too!
      Gloria

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  12. Love your recipe and I'm featuring it this week at The Gathering Spot! Congratulations :) Diane @MamalDiane.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the feature!! We'll be by and stop in again!
      Gloria

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  13. Now this is awesome! A chocolate cake and no guilt afterwards ! Pinned and shared on Google+ today :-) Thank you for sharing at our ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS party !

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the pinning! It is a healthy cake so no worries! :)
      Gloria

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  14. Mmmm this cake looks gorgeous, I'd love for you to share it over at the link party I co-host :D

    http://thevelvetmoonbaker.blogspot.ie/2013/06/sweet-savoury-sunday-14.html

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