There is hardly a combination of 3 words that excites more than gluten free Chocolate Beer Cake. Ok, there are a few other three word combinations that are pretty great, but when I say “I Love You Chocolate Beer Cake,” I truly mean it!
This light, airy, chocolatey gluten free cake is like no other. It’s not made like a regular cake: you make it on the stove-top (click for video).
It doesn’t taste like a death by chocolate cake or any kind of hit-you-on-the-head chocolate explosion.The dark chocolate undertones really highlight the cocoa here without weighing the cake down.
It’s hard to describe how fluffy and softly chocolatey this cake actually is. Its flavor is subtle but deep and unforgettable.
It’s the kind of recipe you will want to print and hold onto, to make again and again!
I offered this gluten free chocolate beer cake in Denver at a food show 8 or 9 years ago now, and I still hear from readers who met me for the first time at that show and remembered how amazing this cake was.
That’s really saying something about a cake! I didn’t even frost it for the show samples — cake without frosting that still makes an impact? That’s a rare commodity.
But the frosting on this cake does top it like a rich head of the beer and it’s so pretty! Don’t be daunted if you’re dairy-free – it’s just as delicious made dairy-free, even with the cream cheese frosting!
A lot of people are scared off by the “beer” portion of the gluten free Chocolate Beer Cake title. Don’t be.
You don’t even have to use beer. You can use a cola instead (one reader even shared that she used Diet Coke in place of the beer in this recipe with great results!). But if you want the full flavor of this cake to really shine through, I encourage you to try a gluten free dark beer in this cake for next-level impact.
Baking with Gluten Free Beer
I’m linking to my article on gluten free beers here for those who would like some recommendations on brands and for those who inevitably are concerned or confused about how a beer could be gluten free.
There are actually three kinds of beers in the world: barley beers (NOT gluten free); naturally gluten free beers made from gluten free grains; and gluten-reduced beers (NOT safe for celiacs). Find out the skinny on all of the above, plus find one that’s just perfect for this cake or for your Friday night in my popular article covering all the best gluten free beers and gluten free alcohol.
I can tell you that I’ve tried all kinds of different gluten free beers in this cake and the end result is a little different every time, but great every time. I’ve also had readers tell me they’ve made this gluten free chocolate cake with non-alcoholic cola or even ginger ale and they’ve loved the results, so go for it — whatever you have on hand. Just as long as it’s gluten free.
How to Bake this Gluten Free Chocolate Beer Cake
The rest of the ingredients are pretty standard — even dairy-free and vegan if you want them to be (choose aquafaba or your favorite egg substitute in place of eggs) — but be sure to stick with my award-winning gfJules Flour for the light and airy crumb you’ll love in this cake!
How amazing is it that this simple cake can go from such a humble beginning: batter in the pan …
To gorgeousness, even without frosting!
BUT you do not even have to bake it in a bundt pan. (Here’s the Nordicware Bundt Pan I used, above — so many people ask. It really is beautiful, isn’t it?) It’s actually also delicious baked in layers, and even makes an impressive birthday cake!
A few years ago I actually make it just that way for fellow celiac Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s birthday.
To transform it into a special birthday cake, I doubled the recipe and made 3 layers, the remainder of the batter going toward extra cupcakes which I left at FOX and Friends for the other anchors and crew.
I love this cake with Green’s Dubbel Dark Ale and it always receives wows. Click here to watch the video of the cake surprise on Fox and Friends!
If you really want to try the real deal though, ask your favorite local store to carry naturally gluten free beer for you!
Gluten Free Chocolate Beer Cake Recipe
Gluten Free Chocolate Beer Cake Recipe
It’s hard to describe how fluffy and softly chocolatey this gluten free chocolate beer cake actually is. Its flavor is subtle but deep and unforgettable. Its texture is light and airy. It's just yum all over.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark gluten-free ale (Ghostfish Brewing Company Stout or Ground Breaker Brewing Dark Ale or Green’s Dubbel Dark Endeavor Ale) OR diet cola
- 8 Tbs. unsalted butter or non-dairy alternative (Earth Balance® Buttery Sticks)
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch Alkalai Processed)
- 2 cups granulated cane sugar
- 3/4 cup sour cream, dairy or non-dairy (Follow Your Heart® Sour Cream Alternative) OR Greek Yogurt OR full fat coconut milk, shaken with 1 Tbs. lemon juice added
- 2 large eggs (or egg substitute like aquafaba)
- 1 Tbs. (*not teaspoon) pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups (270 grams) gfJules™ All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour
- 1 Tbs. (*not teaspoon) baking soda
Instructions
(*Note- you will need a large saucepan for this recipe, not a mixer and mixing bowl!)
Preheat oven to 350 F (static) or 325°F (convection).
Prepare a 9-inch springform tube or bundt pan or two 8-inch rounds by buttering and dusting lightly with gfJules™ All Purpose Gluten Free Flour.
In a small bowl, whisk the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla.
Measure out 1 cup of beer and let the head settle to be sure your measurement is correct. Pour the beer into a large saucepan (you can drink the rest!). Add the butter and heat just until melted over medium heat.
Whisk in the cocoa powder and the sugar until smooth.
Add the egg mixture into saucepan mixture and whisk. Sift in the the gfJules Flour and baking soda and whisk until mixed.
Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out fairly clean or with crumbs, not wet. Time will differ depending on the pan, so rely on the toothpick test.
Let the cake cool in the pan on a cooling rack for 15 minutes, then gently invert to remove from pan onto a cake plate.
Once cooled, dust with confectioner's sugar or frost with cream cheese frosting or sour cream frosting.
Notes
Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Vegan Sour Cream Frosting Recipe
To bake this 3 tiered cake, follow along with the directions in this how-to post!
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 318Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 61mgSodium 28mgCarbohydrates 41gFiber 1gSugar 37gProtein 4g
Please keep in mind that nutrition information provided is per serving, which may vary. While we have taken care to provide you with the most accurate nutritional values possible, please note that this information may differ significantly depending on the exact ingredients and brands that you choose to use to make this recipe. Additionally, where options are given for ingredients, the resulting calculation may include all ingredient options instead of only one per line, skewing the totals significantly.
Try this delicious cake with or without the frosting!
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Please can you include English measurements and names of ingredients.
I love your recipes but do struggle to understand some names and measurements.
ie. Graham crackers
1cup
Hi Janice, sorry for the conversion troubles! This cups to grams calculator will help you for most of the ingredient weights; what specific ingredient names can I help you with?
~jules
This looks great and I cant wait to try it! I do love your flour – I baked all of my Christmas cookies with your flour this year to rave reviews. Pls tell me why you do not recommend Dutch process cocoa? This is all I have on hand,
Thanks!
Hi Kim, I’m so happy to hear you’re loving my gfJules Flour and have enjoyed such great success with it in your holiday baking! Regarding the cocoa, Dutch processed cocoa is acid neutral, which means it won’t react with baking soda and cause this lovely cake to rise; natural/unprocessed cocoa is acidic, which means it WILL react with baking soda which is a base — hence the rise! If all you have it Dutch processed cocoa and you want to bake this cake, switch the baking soda to baking powder (but reduce to 2 tsp.) and you should have much better luck. Hope that helps!
~jules
Just curious as to what difference it makes what kind of beer you use is there actually a flavor involved? I just don’t have dark beers on hand…
Hi Kelle, I prefer a darker gluten free beer for a richer flavor, but honestly I’ve made this gluten free chocolate beer cake recipe so many times now with whatever gluten free beer I’ve had on hand and it’s truly been delicious every time. SO … I would not hesitate to make it with whatever gluten free beer you have! ENJOY!
~jules
Hi Jules. This sounds amazing. Would you be able too do the ingredients in metric please? Always unsure of conversion… Thank you.
Hi Leonie, I just added grams for my gfJules Flour – I have been trying to go back and add those for my older recipes, but you can always find the conversion in the FAQs at the top of every page (the ? icon). One cup of my gfJules Flour is 135 grams. Enjoy!
~jules
when do you take the cake batter off the stove?
Thanks,
Hi Kat, as soon as the butter melts, I turn off the stove. You can leave the pot there or move it off the stove (especially if you have an electric cooktop that stays hot). It won’t hurt anything to leave it there, but you don’t want the eggs to start cooking in the pot before the batter is mixed and in the oven.
Enjoy!
~jules
Jules
Love your flour and all the recipes that use it.
You usually offer an egg free substitution but not for the chocolate beer cake. Is there a substitution that would work as my daughter had an egg allergy. Thanks.
Hi Barbara, I’m so glad to hear that you’re loving my gfJules Flour and my recipes! That always makes me happy – thanks for taking the time to let me know! Regarding this recipe and an egg sub, I haven’t recommended one because I haven’t tried one yet myself. I would check out my article on vegan egg substitutions and choose a combination. In this case, perhaps vegan mayo plus a gluten free commercial egg replacer, or another combo like that. Please let me know what you try and how it turns out so we can let others know — I’m certain others would like to make this cake vegan too!
~jules
I made this recipe and it was exceptional! So moist. You’re flour really is the best. I even ordered the fancy Bundt pan and it came out beautiful. Sifted a little powdered sugar on top and it was perfect. Can’t wait to try this recipe for cupcakes. It took three stores to find gluten free beer but it was worth it. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so pleased to hear that you found gluten free beer and were able to make the recipe! It’s SO worth it!!! Thanks so much for coming back to leave a review and let me know! Happy baking, Paula!
~jules
I used this recipe to make cupcakes for Valentine’s Day and they are delicious! (And almost all gone already!)
So wonderful to hear, Paula!!!!
~jules
The most important question would have to be “WHERE DID YOU GET THE BEAUTIFUL SWIRL BUNDT CAKE PAN!” Sounds like a yummy cake that I will have to make for our son’s birthday! He and I have both stopped eating gluten because we have fibromyalgia. Yours truly is the best flour out there, Jules! I made your white cake, and no one knew it was gluten free until they saw me eat a piece! Thank you for sharing your delicious recipes with us!!!!
Hi Sheryl, I’m so happy to hear about your success with my white cake recipe! That’s exactly the results we’d hope for! As for this pan, it’s a Nordicware bundt pan – isn’t it beautiful? I’ve linked it here for you to see the one I bought.
Happy baking!
~jules
Appears that this cake would be great for ice cream sandwiches!
Oh MY! What an idea, Dorothy!!!
~jules
Can this be made as a 9 x 13 instead of a layer cake?
Hi Angela, yes, but I’m sorry that I don’t have the time for that pan down with this recipe yet. If you bake it out, please come back and leave a comment as to how long you baked it so others will know if they’d rather use that pan option!
~jules
Hi there, I’m on a limited income and can’t afford your gluten-free flour. Can you please offer a substitute flour? I’m dying to try this recipe because of the rave reviews. Thanks so much!
I just want to share with you and other readers who haven’t tried your products that they are the absolute best. I made the mistake of running out of your flour and had to purchase another so called, ‘very good brand’ no comparison! I will not do that again! Thank you so much for making my baking fun again.
Aw, Karen, I’m so glad to hear that you know can rely on my gfJules Flour. You’re right – there is indeed a difference in gluten free flour blends. I’m just happy you can trust mine and that you’re enjoying baking again because of it!!!
~jules
New gfJules user here-just made this cake for my husband and oh, my was it good! It’s springy and chocolate-y and stayed soft and fresh for the few days it lasted in our house. He shared a piece with a GF co-worker who refused to believe it was gluten free and she’s an amazing GF baker! I think I have a new convert to gfJules Flour–I just ordered a sample for her to try. Thank you for a delicious new alternative to living GF.
That makes me SO happy to hear, Michelle! This is a fantastic, no one ever believes it’s gluten free recipe! Glad you picked it to share! Thanks for sharing your experience with the recipe and for ordering a sample for your husband’s co-worker! I know she’ll love it when she tries it for herself!!!
Happy baking!
~jules
Looks like a super easy and yummy recipe. What do you think about using an orange butter cream frosting?
Would this recipe be as good with 7-up, coke or pepsi
Hi Larry, yes using a cola should work just fine!
~jules
Does it matter if the soda is regular or diet? We usually buy regular soda, but I see you listed Diet Coke as the alternative.
Hi Becky, I think you’ll be fine with either one, I’ve just only ever tried it with diet! 🙂
Let me know how it goes!!!
~jules
This looks so good and I’m all about chocolate and cake for breakfast or dessert! I’m not a fan of beer but I LOVE beer bread and I’ve made chocolate beer cupcakes. This is even better as a bundt, can’t wait to try it!!
Hi Sarah, yes, even if you don’t like beer, this is a recipe that is so full of (not beer) flavor that it’s remarkable. I don’t think anyone would know there was beer in a slice of this light and airy chocolate cake. I can’t wait to hear what you think!
~jules
This is the best gluten free cake recipe I’ve ever made! It’s rich, chocolaty, and moist. It rose perfectly in my bundt pan and held its shape on the cake plate. I frosted it with the cream cheese frosting, which is excellent. I served this cake to a gluten-eating crowd, and no one could tell that it was gluten free. This cake is better than the gluten cakes I remember. I’ll definitely make this one again.
So happy you loved this cake, Lucky! It’s definitely an unusual recipe but everyone seems to love it. So light and airy. I’d take another slice right now, actually! 😉
~jules
can regular soda be substituted for the gluten free beer
Hi Susan – great question and yes! You can use cola in place of gluten free beer here. Enjoy the recipe!
~jules
Sounds wonderful but I was wondering. Does it have to be a dark beer? I’m not a beer drinker and my husband prefers lighter beers. Could something like an amber beer or a light beer work just as well?
Hi Christina, as long as it’s gluten free, you can use any beer. Just the richer, dark beers are more like chocolate themselves, so they have a smoother flavor with the chocolate. Using a lighter beer will still produce great texture, but there may be some bitterness with the chocolate – not necessarily bad, and you might even find that you like it!
~jules