The Best Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Ever is a rich chocolate cake that’s fluffy and light with a perfect crumb; this cake almost melts in your mouth. You would NEVER guess that this is a gluten free cake.
Almost as exciting as the cake’s delicious richness is the fact that this is a very easy, one-bowl cake that takes just minutes to make.

Gluten free chocolate cake
This gluten-free chocolate cake recipe is great for cupcakes, as well as for birthday parties and other gatherings. Paired with Salted Caramel Frosting, this cake was a smash hit at my son’s birthday party the first time I made it.
However, if you want to avoid chocolate crumbs wandering around the house, or you’re looking for a white cake (live and learn through my mistakes, mommies to little kids), I’m more than happy to tell you that the recipe truly is the best gluten free white cake you will ever make. To be honest it’s the best white cake I’ve ever eaten, gluten free or not.
The sour cream and olive oil in this gluten-free chocolate cake keep it incredibly moist. I have successfully used light flavored olive oil in almost all of my baked goods over the past few years.
There is no hint of olive oil flavor in the finished products. Be sure to use a light oil and NOT an extra virgin oil.
Imagine me jumping up and down with joy at how perfect this cake turned out. I tried a few different variations until this one worked perfectly. I’ve made this cake over a dozen times now.

Best gluten free chocolate cake recipe
Cooking Tip: I use this sheet, cake tin or cupcake tin to make this recipe.
- â…“ cup potato starch
- â…“ cup sorghum flour
- â…“ cup brown rice flour
- 1¼ cup sugar
- â…“ cup, plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, preferably Dutch Process
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup light olive oil
- ¾ cup water room temperature
- 1 tablespoon plain white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 1 egg

I was thrilled that the recipe worked beautifully without any xanthan gum. I made this cake as cupcakes, sheet cakes, and a 9×13 cake pan. I’ve layered it too, but be warned, it’s a pretty light crumb (which I LOVE) but it doesn’t make the most stable of layers. You should be very careful when handling the layers.
I adapted this recipe from my Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake recipe. If you don’t need a gluten-free dessert like this, the original recipes make one of the best chocolate cakes I’ve ever tried.
If you want to try a Paleo version, these Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes look pretty amazing. For coffee lovers, this Kahlua Coffee Poke Cake sounds heavenly. Check out the rest of the gluten free dessert recipes on this site.
{originally posted 3/10/13 – recipe notes and photos updated 1/27/23}
