This Chocolate Avocado Cake is a rich, moist, and decadent dessert that cleverly incorporates avocado for added creaminess and moisture. Despite the presence of avocado, its flavor remains undetectable, making it a delightful surprise for those who try it. The cake is complemented by a luscious chocolate buttercream frosting, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake:
- 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
- 1 large ripe avocado, pitted and mashed until smooth
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
Chocolate Buttercream:
- 1½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 cups (500g) confectioners’ sugar
- ¾ cup (94g) baking cocoa
- 4 tablespoons (60ml) heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of table salt
Directions
For the Chocolate Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two 8-inch round baking pans by greasing them or using a homemade baking spray.
- In a heatproof bowl, combine the chopped dark chocolate, baking cocoa, and 3 tablespoons of the brewed coffee. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water, stirring gently until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In another bowl, mix the vegetable oil, remaining coffee, mashed avocado, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until the batter is smooth. Be careful not to overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before removing and frosting.
For the Chocolate Buttercream:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Add the baking cocoa, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix on low speed until combined.
- Gradually add the heavy whipping cream, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for an additional 3–5 minutes, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, frost them with the chocolate buttercream.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (1 slice, assuming 12 servings total):
- Calories: 539 kcal
- Total Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Cholesterol: 68mg
- Sodium: 280mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 70g
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugars: 45g
- Protein: 5g
Why Choose Avocado in Your Cake?
Avocado is widely known for its creamy texture and health benefits. While it’s commonly found in savory dishes like guacamole or salads, it’s gaining popularity in baking due to its natural richness and versatility. By swapping traditional fats, such as butter or oil, with avocado, you can create a moist, tender cake without sacrificing flavor. Moreover, avocados provide healthy monounsaturated fats, which can be beneficial for heart health when consumed in moderation. The mild, buttery flavor of avocado pairs perfectly with the bold richness of chocolate, resulting in a cake that is both luxurious and nourishing.
In addition to its nutritional benefits, avocado helps create a cake that is incredibly moist, without making it greasy or heavy. When baked into a cake, avocado’s flavor remains subtly hidden, allowing the rich cocoa to take center stage. The result is a deeply flavorful chocolate cake with a velvety texture that rivals any classic dessert made with butter or oil.
Health Benefits of Avocado in Desserts
Adding avocado to your chocolate cake not only enhances its texture and taste but also offers several health benefits. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider baking with avocado:
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Rich in Healthy Fats: Avocados are a great source of monounsaturated fats, which are known to support heart health by reducing bad cholesterol levels. These healthy fats also keep you feeling satisfied for longer, which may help curb cravings and support weight management.
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Packed with Fiber: Avocados are high in dietary fiber, which plays a crucial role in digestive health. Fiber promotes regular bowel movements, helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and aids in weight management by making you feel full for longer periods.
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Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals: Avocados are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including potassium, folate, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Potassium is particularly important for heart health, while vitamin E serves as an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.
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Good for Skin and Hair: Avocado is often used in skincare products for its moisturizing properties. When consumed, it nourishes the skin from within, promoting a healthy glow and reducing signs of aging. The healthy fats in avocado also contribute to strong, shiny hair.
The Secret to a Moist, Fudgy Cake
The key to the perfect chocolate avocado cake lies in the balance of ingredients and technique. While the avocado adds moisture, it’s the combination of the right proportions of cocoa powder and sugar that makes this cake irresistibly fudgy and flavorful. Unlike other cakes that can become dry or crumbly, this one retains its softness for days, making it the ideal dessert for meal prep or gatherings.
The coffee used in this recipe enhances the chocolate flavor, bringing out the depth and richness of the cocoa. This is a classic baking trick to intensify the flavor of chocolate, as coffee naturally complements and amplifies chocolate’s complex taste profile. The result is a cake that is not overly sweet but instead rich with deep, velvety chocolate notes.
Another key aspect of this cake’s texture is the use of baking soda and baking powder. These leavening agents work together to create a light and fluffy structure, which contrasts nicely with the moistness from the avocado. This balance ensures that the cake is both soft and dense, without being heavy.
Perfect for Special Occasions
Whether you’re planning a birthday celebration, a family gathering, or simply indulging in a treat for yourself, the chocolate avocado cake is an excellent choice. Its rich flavor and luxurious texture make it suitable for a variety of occasions, from casual get-togethers to more formal affairs.
Not only does this cake appeal to chocolate lovers, but it also offers a unique twist that will have guests wondering about the secret ingredient. Its dense, fudgy texture and creamy chocolate buttercream frosting create a dessert experience that’s nothing short of decadent. If you’re looking for a dessert that stands out from the crowd, this chocolate avocado cake is sure to impress.
Customizing Your Chocolate Avocado Cake
While the chocolate avocado cake is delicious on its own, it’s also highly customizable. Here are a few ways to put your personal touch on this already amazing dessert:
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Add Fruit: Adding fresh fruit like raspberries, strawberries, or cherries can enhance the flavor profile of your cake. The slight tartness of the fruit pairs beautifully with the richness of the chocolate, creating a more balanced dessert.
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Incorporate Nuts: For a little crunch and additional flavor, consider adding nuts such as chopped walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts. These can be mixed into the batter or sprinkled on top for added texture.
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Experiment with Frosting: While the chocolate buttercream is a classic pairing for this cake, feel free to try other frosting flavors. A cream cheese frosting or a whipped coconut cream would offer a lighter alternative to the rich chocolate buttercream.
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Add Spices: If you want to take your chocolate avocado cake to the next level, consider adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or chili powder. A touch of cinnamon will complement the chocolate nicely, while a dash of chili powder will add a surprising kick.
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Make It Gluten-Free: For those with gluten sensitivities or dietary preferences, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just be sure to check the consistency of the batter, as gluten-free flour may behave slightly differently.
How to Serve Chocolate Avocado Cake
Chocolate avocado cake is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
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Simple Slices: The simplest way to serve this cake is by slicing it into generous portions and serving it on its own. The cake is rich enough to stand alone, but adding a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side can elevate the experience.
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Layered Cake: If you’re feeling fancy, you can transform this recipe into a layered cake by splitting the batter between multiple cake pans. Once baked and cooled, layer the cake with frosting in between each tier, creating a beautiful, towering dessert.
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Cake Pops: For a fun twist, you can turn this cake into cake pops. Crumble the cake once it’s cooled, mix it with a little frosting, roll it into balls, and insert sticks. Dip the cake pops into melted chocolate or sprinkles for a fun and festive treat.
Conclusion: A Cake for All Occasions
The chocolate avocado cake is more than just a delicious dessert; it’s a game-changer in the world of baking. Its rich, fudgy texture, enhanced by the health benefits of avocado, makes it a dessert that you can feel good about indulging in. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or enjoying a slice with a cup of coffee, this cake is sure to become a favorite.