Name: Chickpea Flour Cake
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 57 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups chickpea flour; 1 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1/2 cup maple syrup; 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt

This chickpea flour cake is rich, chocolaty, and delicious. You’d never guess it’s made with chickpea flour. This nutritious dessert is gluten free, vegan, refined sugar free, and grain free. Add this nutrient-dense cake to your list of must try chickpea flour recipes.

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Main ingredients in this chickpea flour cake

Chickpea flour is a nutritious grain-free flour made from ground chickpeas. It’s also known as garbanzo bean flour. Chickpea flour is loaded with fiber, protein, and nutrients. If you have trouble finding it at your local grocery store you can buy it online.

This recipe calls for unsweetened applesauce which gives the cake body and moistness without having to add any dairy. Be sure to use applesauce with no added sugar or the cake will turn out too sweet.

Extra virgin olive gives this cake a luxurious texture. You can substitute melted coconut oil or any other oil you prefer.

I sweetened this cake with maple syrup. You can substitute honey if you don’t need this cake to be strictly vegan.

This cake gets it’s chocolaty flavor from unsweetened cocoa powder. There are two main types of unsweetened cocoa powder: natural cocoa powder and Dutch process. Either kind is fine for this recipe.

Five slices of chickpea flour cake on a white plate.

How to make it

This cake is quick and easy to make. Start by preheating the oven. Add the wet ingredients, salt, and cocoa powder to a large mixing bowl, then use a whisk to mix well.

Next you’ll add the chickpea flour and baking soda and whisk again to combine.

A large mixing bowl filled with raw cake batter.

Line a medium sized loaf pan (mine is 9.25 x 5.25 x 2.75 inches) with parchment paper, then pour in the batter.

Raw cake batter in a parchment paper lined loaf pan.

Bake the cake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake looks dry upon removal. Be sure to let the cake cool completely before serving or frosting.

Frosting ideas

This cake is delicious as is, but for special occasions you can dress it up with a slathering of this nut-free chocolate spread or this sweet potato chocolate frosting. Both of those frosting recipes are easy to make, vegan, and refined sugar free.

Optional additions

For an extra layer of flavor and texture, add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter. Or to up the chocolate flavor even more, stir 1/2 cup of dairy-free dark chocolate chips into the cake batter.

Storage and freezing

Store this chickpea flour cake in an airtight container for up to three days or freeze it for up to six months. I prefer to slice the cake before freezing it, that way I can easily defrost the exact amount I want. Thaw it at room temperature before serving or defrost it in the microwave or oven if you’re short on time.

More chickpea flour recipes

These gluten-free, vegan chickpea flour muffins are a delicious breakfast or snack.
This egg-free, chickpea flour omelette is a savory breakfast idea that tastes just like the real deal.
These grain-free, chickpea flour brownies are rich, fudgy, and delicious.
These vegan chickpea flour cookies are one of my favorite chickpea flour recipes.

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