Chocolate Avocado Cake Recipe

If you love rich, moist chocolate cake but want to make it a little healthier without sacrificing flavor, you’ll fall in love with this Chocolate Avocado Cake.

The creamy avocado replaces the need for butter or oil, giving the cake a unique texture while maintaining that indulgent chocolate flavor we all crave.

Packed with nutrients and bursting with rich cocoa, this cake is the perfect dessert for anyone looking to try something a little different. Plus, with a velvety chocolate buttercream frosting, every bite is pure indulgence!

Table of Contents

Ingredients List

Cake Ingredients

5-6 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
¼ cup (32g) baking cocoa
3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ cup (50g) vegetable oil
2 cups (460g) coffee (freshly brewed)
1 large ripe fresh avocado, cut lengthwise, pitted, and mashed (no chunks)
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 cup (200g) brown sugar

Chocolate Buttercream Ingredients

1½ cups (340g) butter, room temperature
4 cups (500g) confectioners’ sugar
¾ cup (94g) baking cocoa
4 tablespoons (60ml) heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 pinch table salt

Required Kitchen Tools

When preparing this Chocolate Avocado Cake, the right tools will help you achieve that perfect, moist texture and creamy frosting. Here are the essential items you’ll need:

Mixing Bowls: You’ll need several bowls to separate dry ingredients from wet, as well as for melting the chocolate and mashing the avocado.
Electric Mixer: A hand mixer or stand mixer will make mixing the batter and frosting a breeze, ensuring smooth consistency.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key to creating the perfect cake. Make sure you have a set of reliable measuring cups and spoons.
8-inch Cake Pans: These will help you achieve the right height and shape for your cake layers.
Cooling Rack: After baking the cake, a cooling rack ensures that it cools evenly without getting soggy.

Cake Preparation

This part of the recipe will guide you through the steps of making a rich, chocolatey batter that’s smooth, easy to work with, and bakes into a moist, tender cake. Let’s get started!

Melting the Chocolate

Start by melting the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. You can do this over a double boiler or by microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring each time to avoid burning. Once the chocolate is completely melted, set it aside to cool while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Mixing the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking cocoa, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. This mixture of dry ingredients will help create the structure of your cake and provide that rich, spiced undertone. Set the bowl aside.

Preparing the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mash the ripe avocado until it’s completely smooth. You want a creamy consistency, so there are no chunks of avocado left. Add in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and the cooled brewed coffee. Mix everything together until smooth. The avocado will provide moisture to the cake, replacing the usual fat sources like butter or oil, and the coffee enhances the depth of the chocolate flavor.

Combining the Ingredients

Now that both your wet and dry ingredients are prepared, it’s time to bring everything together for a luscious, velvety batter.

Add Wet Ingredients to Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet avocado mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a spatula or a hand mixer on low speed to slowly combine them, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Make sure everything is well incorporated, but be careful not to over-mix, as this can affect the texture of your cake.
Fold in the Melted Chocolate: Once the wet and dry ingredients are combined, fold in the melted dark chocolate. This step ensures that the cake batter is rich and deeply chocolatey. The chocolate should be well distributed throughout the batter, giving it that signature dark chocolate look and flavor.
Check the Consistency: The batter should be thick but pourable. If it feels too thick, you can add a small splash of milk or coffee to thin it slightly, but be careful not to make it too runny.

Baking the Cake Layers

Prepare the Cake Pans: Grease two 8-inch round cake pans with butter or non-stick spray. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Pour the Batter into the Pans: Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared cake pans, using a spatula to smooth the tops. Tap the pans gently on the counter to release any air bubbles.
Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cake pans in the oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven, so be sure to check the cake around the 30-minute mark.
Cool the Cake: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, turn the cakes out onto a cooling rack to cool completely. It’s important to allow the cake to cool fully before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

A decadent chocolate buttercream frosting is the perfect complement to this moist and rich chocolate avocado cake. This frosting is thick, creamy, and full of deep chocolate flavor, with just the right amount of sweetness to balance the richness of the cake.

Preparing the Buttercream

Beat the Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 minutes, so be patient. The butter should look smooth and airy.
Add the Cocoa Powder: Sift the baking cocoa into the bowl with the butter. Mix it in on low speed until fully incorporated. This will help prevent cocoa powder from flying all over the place. Once combined, increase the speed to medium and continue beating until smooth.
Add the Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is mixed evenly. The frosting should be thick but spreadable.
Add the Cream: Add the heavy whipping cream, one tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition. This will help thin the frosting just enough to make it easy to spread while maintaining a creamy texture.
Flavor with Vanilla and Salt: Finally, add the vanilla extract and a pinch of table salt. The salt enhances the chocolate flavor and balances out the sweetness. Beat the frosting on medium-high speed for another 2-3 minutes until it’s fluffy and smooth.

Frosting the Cake

Level the Cake Layers: If your cake layers have domed on top, use a serrated knife to level them so that your layers stack neatly. This will help the frosting go on more evenly and create a professional-looking finish.
Apply the First Layer of Frosting: Place one of the cake layers on your cake stand or serving platter. Using an offset spatula, spread a generous amount of buttercream frosting on top, smoothing it evenly to the edges.
Add the Second Cake Layer: Place the second cake layer on top of the first, pressing down gently to ensure it’s stable. Spread a thin crumb coat of frosting over the entire cake. This is a light layer of frosting that helps seal in any crumbs, making your final layer of frosting smooth and clean. Refrigerate the cake for about 20-30 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.
Final Layer of Frosting: Once the crumb coat has set, apply the final, thick layer of frosting over the cake. Smooth the frosting with an offset spatula for a clean finish, or use a cake comb for a textured look.
Decorate: If you’d like to get creative, you can decorate the top of your cake with additional chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or even some fresh berries. A drizzle of melted chocolate can add a luxurious touch.

Serving and Storing Your Chocolate Avocado Cake

Serving Your Cake

This Chocolate Avocado Cake is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday, special celebration, or just an indulgent treat. The rich chocolate flavor and smooth avocado texture pair wonderfully with the creamy chocolate buttercream, making each bite absolutely irresistible. Here are a few tips for serving:

Slice and Serve: Use a sharp serrated knife to cut neat, even slices of cake. For an extra touch, consider pairing each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert experience.
Serving Temperature: If you’ve chilled the cake to set the frosting, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will make the cake even more moist and the buttercream softer and easier to slice through.
Pair with Beverages: A slice of this rich chocolate cake goes wonderfully with a cup of coffee, a glass of milk, or even a dessert wine like port or a sweet red wine.

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (though I doubt it!), storing them properly will help keep your cake fresh and delicious for a few days. Here’s how:

Room Temperature Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This is ideal for keeping the texture moist and preventing the buttercream from becoming too hard.
Refrigeration: If you’d like to store the cake for a bit longer, you can refrigerate it. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days. Before serving, let it come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Freezing: If you want to keep the cake for an extended period, you can freeze it. Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. To defrost, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight and allow it to come to room temperature before serving.

Conclusion

This Chocolate Avocado Cake is a true indulgence without the guilt! The avocado in the cake adds a creamy texture, while the dark chocolate brings that rich, decadent flavor we all love. Topped with a smooth chocolate buttercream, this cake is sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you’re a chocolate lover or just looking for a healthier twist on a classic, this cake will not disappoint. Follow the steps above, and you’ll have a moist, flavorful cake that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.

Enjoy baking, and most importantly, enjoy eating this incredible chocolate avocado cake!