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slice of double layer chocolate protein cake with fluffy chocolate protein frosting on a white background
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4.43 from 7 votes

Chocolate Protein Cake (Healthy, Flourless)

Makes one 6" double-layer cake (6 servings).
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 357kcal
Author: Andréa

Ingredients

Cake:

Frosting:

  • 1 ½ cups raw cashews 170g, soaked for 4 hours or more in filtered water
  • ½ cup water (or more, as needed)
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa 10g (I used black cocoa)
  • 2 packets stevia 2g
  • ¼ cup natural chocolate whey protein 23g

Topping:

Instructions

  • Drain and rinse cashews, and put in blender.
  • Add ½ cup filtered water to blender, and blend cashews to a cream. If needed, add more water by the tablespoon (15ml).
  • Add cocoa, stevia, and whey powder. Blend until smooth.
  • Put frosting in the freezer to cool while you bake the cake.
  • Preheat oven to 325F (163C).
  • Line two 6" round (or similarly sized) pans with parchment paper (or use 1 pan, and bake them one at a time).
  • Mix all cake ingredients until well combined.
  • Pour half the batter into each pan.
  • Bake for about 15 minutes, and see if the cakes are firm. Check every 1-2 minutes, and remove as soon as they are firm. Be sure not to over-bake these cakes!
  • As the cakes are baking, stir the frosting and set back in the freezer.
  • Let the cakes cool.
  • Spoon half the frosting on the bottom layer.
  • Set the top layer in place, and spoon remaining frosting on top.
  • Top with a few raw cacao nibs, if desired (not included in macros, but would hardly change them anyway).
  • Slice, and enjoy!
  • Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

A note about substitutions: because each type of protein powder has a distinct flavor and texture when baked, I would not try substituting different types of protein powder in the recipe for the cake. (Vegan proteins would need egg whites and less applesauce for the proper cake-like texture, and probably still wouldn't match the moist, airy texture here!) For the frosting, a vegan protein like Vega Sport should work, but others may be too chalky. Casein can also be used in the frosting in place of the whey.
If you are making one single-layer cake, you can just use one 8" round pan, and the timing should be similar.
Macros for ⅙ of the unfrosted cake are: Prot: 24 g, Carbs: 17 g (Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 10g), Fat: 2 g, Cal: 177.
Also, when using parchment paper like I did, be sure to trim the top edges of the paper (after the batter is in the pan) so that the parchment doesn't touch the roof of your oven. Parchment is paper, after all, and it will burn if it touches oven surfaces.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 357kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 14g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g