Rich, fudgy, and deeply chocolatey, this decadent cake is made for serious dessert lovers. But the best part? It’s made with lighter ingredients that allow you to enjoy every bite guilt-free. Whether it’s for a birthday, a celebration, or just because, this cake satisfies your sweet tooth without going overboard.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Rich Chocolate Flavor: Deep cocoa taste with a soft, brownie-like texture.
Lightened-Up Ingredients: Uses smart swaps like applesauce and almond flour.
Simple to Make: One bowl and no complicated steps.
Perfect for Any Occasion: A crowd-pleaser that feels indulgent but balanced.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond flour (or oat flour)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp melted light butter or coconut oil
- 1/3 cup zero-calorie sweetener (like monk fruit or erythritol blend)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- Optional: 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips (sugar-free or 70% cocoa)
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease or line a 6-inch or 7-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Add Wet Ingredients
- Add applesauce, Greek yogurt, melted butter, sweetener, vanilla extract, and eggs to the dry mix.
- Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips if using.
Bake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information (Per Slice, Approximate)
- Calories: 160
- Carbs: 10g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overbake: For a moist, fudgy texture, take it out when just a few crumbs stick to the toothpick.
- Add a Topping: Dust with powdered sweetener, drizzle with sugar-free chocolate syrup, or top with light whipped cream.
- Let It Cool: Cooling helps the cake set and enhances the texture.
- Double for More: Double the ingredients for a full-sized layer cake or thicker slices.
Why This Recipe Works
- Deeply Satisfying Flavor: Cocoa and optional dark chocolate chips bring depth without added sugar.
- Better-for-You Ingredients: Greek yogurt and applesauce keep it moist and rich without excess fat.
- Perfect Texture: Somewhere between a rich cake and a soft brownie—dreamy with every bite.
- Simple and Versatile: Easy enough for weekdays, fancy enough for weekends.
This Chocolate Decadence Cake proves you don’t need loads of sugar or butter to create a dessert that feels truly indulgent. With its rich flavor, fudgy bite, and nourishing ingredients, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again—no special occasion required.
Elegant Chocolate Decadence Cake for Holidays and Special Moments
8
servings15
minutes25
minutes160
kcal40
minutesRich, fudgy, and deeply chocolatey, this decadent cake is made for serious dessert lovers. But the best part? It’s made with lighter ingredients that allow you to enjoy every bite guilt-free. Whether it’s for a birthday, a celebration, or just because, this cake satisfies your sweet tooth without going overboard.
Ingredients
1/2 cup almond flour (or oat flour)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
2 tbsp melted light butter or coconut oil
1/3 cup zero-calorie sweetener (like monk fruit or erythritol blend)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
Optional: 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips (sugar-free or 70% cocoa)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease or line a 6-inch or 7-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. - Mix Dry Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. - Add Wet Ingredients
Add applesauce, Greek yogurt, melted butter, sweetener, vanilla extract, and eggs to the dry mix.
Stir until smooth and well combined.
Fold in chocolate chips if using. - Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Don’t Overbake: For a moist, fudgy texture, take it out when just a few crumbs stick to the toothpick.
Add a Topping: Dust with powdered sweetener, drizzle with sugar-free chocolate syrup, or top with light whipped cream.
Let It Cool: Cooling helps the cake set and enhances the texture.
Double for More: Double the ingredients for a full-sized layer cake or thicker slices.