This is the recipe for How to Make Sugar Free Devil's Food Cake (2024)

Published: · Modified: by thesugarfreediva. · This post may contain affiliate or amazon links.

A sugar free version of a classic Devil's Food Cake.

See The Recipe

Because almost everyone has had a craving for this in the past, there is a recipe for Sugar Free Devil's Food Cake.
It seems as if this is a popular cake so why not make it without all of the sugar?

Sugar Free Devil's Food Cake

I often wonder if anyone else has noticed that there is an 'Angel Food Cake' as well as a Devil's Food Cake.
Both cakes are known for their airy and moist texture. However, one of these cakes resembles an Angel more than the other. I am holding short of equating the chocolate of a Devil's food cake to the the Devil. You can make your own conclusions.

The truth is that both cakes are pretty much the standard choices for go-to cakes.
If you were to check out your local bakery or bakery section, you would most likely find that a majority (if not all) of the cakes are either of Devil variety or Angel variety. However, you may also find a close relative to either of these as well. That is because these cakes are well-liked, easy to match with a frosting, and relatively simple to make. Thus, we see a lot of them.

If you are craving a chocolate taste in your cake, this would be a good choice.

As mentioned, this cake is easy to pair with a frosting. You can find numerous frosting recipes here as well. I have a 4 ingredient sugar free vanilla frosting, a 5 ingredient sugar free cream cheese frosting, and a sugar free pudding and cream cheese frosting to get you started. Also popular are my Stevia cream cheese frosting and finally, my sugar free butter cream icing.

We will need cocoa to make this cake.
The cocoa should be an unsweetened powdered cocoa. Because of the leavening ingredients that we are using, for best results, use a cocoa powder that has been treated with an alkalizing agent. Some folks refer to this kind of a cocoa as "Dutch". You can find "Dutch Cocoa" online. You could use a regular cocoa however, your cake will most likely not be as 'airy' in texture thanks to the leavening process.

The recipe for Sugar Free Devil's Food Cake

Besides the 'Dutch' style cocoa, you will also need these ingredients.

  • Flour- 2 cups (AP).
  • Cocoa Powder (Unsweetened Dutch Style)- ½ cup.
  • Baking Powder- 2 teaspoons.
  • Butter (unsalted is best)- 1 ½ sticks room temperature (that's ¾ cup).
  • Sugar Alternative- The equivalent to 2 cups of sugar (granular style alternative recommended).
  • Vanilla Extract- ½ teaspoon
  • Salt- ¼ teaspoon.
  • Eggs- 4 lightly beaten.
  • Milk- 1 cup.
  • Warm Water- ½ Cup.

How to make this cake.

  • Preheat your oven to 350 and prep your pans for nonstick. I am a fan of cocoa powder or flour dusted parchment paper. The flour works well but, will also leave a bit of white residue (which you can dust off or frost over later). This cake bakes well when in the center of the oven to allow the heat to distribute evenly. This recipe can make a sheet cake or two standard sized smaller cakes (round etc.).
  • Sift or whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder in a bowl. Set this bowl aside.
  • Using a stand mixer (paddle works best), cream together the butter, sugar alternative and the salt. This will need to get creamy so cream it for 5-7 minutes if needed.
  • Once the butter and sugar alternative mixture is creamy, you can add your eggs, one egg at a time, mixing between additions. Then add the vanilla, water and milk- mixing a bit between additions.
  • Finally, add the dry ingredients from the first bowl to the mix half at a time. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl between and after these additions.
  • Depending on what size pan you are using, your cake(s) will need to bake for about 30-35 minutes. Simply check the cake(s) with a toothpick to be sure.
  • Allow your cake(s) to cool completely before frosting them as you do not want melted frosting on your beautiful cake(s).

Sugar Free Devil’s Food Cake

A sugar free version of a classic Devil's Food Cake.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time35 minutes mins

Total Time55 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • Flour- 2 cups AP.
  • Cocoa Powder Unsweetened Dutch Style- ½ cup.
  • Baking Powder- 2 teaspoons.
  • Butter unsalted is best- 1 ½ sticks room temperature (that's ¾ cup).
  • Sugar Alternative- The equivalent to 2 cups of sugar granular style alternative recommended.
  • Salt- ¼ teaspoon.
  • Eggs- 4 lightly beaten.
  • Milk- 1 cup.
  • Warm tap Water- ½ Cup.
  • Preheat your oven to 350 and prep your pans for nonstick. I am a fan of cocoa powder or flour dusted parchment paper. The flour works well but will also leave a bit of white residue (which you can dust off or frost over later). This cake bakes well when in the center of the oven to allow the heat to distribute evenly. This recipe can make a sheet cake or two standard sized smaller cakes (round etc.).
  • Sift or whisk together the flour cocoa powder and baking soda in a bowl. Set this bowl aside.
  • Using a stand mixer paddle works best, cream together the butter, sugar alternative and the salt. This will need to get creamy so cream it for 5-7 minutes if needed.
  • Once the butter and sugar alternative mixture is creamy you can add your eggs, one egg at a time, mixing between additions. Then add the vanilla, water and milk- mixing a bit between additions.
  • Finally add the dry ingredients from the first bowl to the mix half at a time. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl between and after these additions.
  • Depending on what size pan you are using your cake(s) will need to bake for about 30-35 minutes. Simply check the cake(s) with a toothpick to be sure.
  • Allow your cake s to cool completely before frosting them as you do not want melted frosting on your beautiful cake(s).

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 and prep your pans for nonstick. I am a fan of cocoa powder or flour dusted parchment paper. The flour works well but, will also leave a bit of white residue (which you can dust off or frost over later). This cake bakes well when in the center of the oven to allow the heat to distribute evenly. This recipe can make a sheet cake or two standard sized smaller cakes (round etc.).

  • Sift or whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and baking soda in a bowl. Set this bowl aside.

  • Using a stand mixer (paddle works best), cream together the butter, sugar alternative and the salt. This will need to get creamy so cream it for 5-7 minutes if needed.

  • Once the butter and sugar alternative mixture is creamy, you can add your eggs, one egg at a time, mixing between additions. Then add the vanilla, water and milk- mixing a bit between additions.

  • Finally, add the dry ingredients from the first bowl to the mix half at a time. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl between and after these additions.

  • Depending on what size pan you are using, your cake(s) will need to bake for about 30-35 minutes. Simply check the cake(s) with a toothpick to be sure.

  • Allow your cake(s) to cool completely before frosting them as you do not want melted frosting on your beautiful cake(s).

Recipe Notes

See post for details.

most recently updated:

December 27, 2017

*About Sugar Alternatives

Specific sugar alternatives are not given in the recipes presented on this site. Only suggestions are given as to the 'kind' of alternative to use. It is up to you to select the alternative to use that suits your needs best. If the recipe is heated or cooked, it is best to use an alternative that can be heated or cooked with for best results. This site does not endorse any specific ingredients,

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!

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This is the recipe for How to Make Sugar Free Devil's Food Cake (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in Devil's food cake Mix? ›

Enriched Bleached Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Leavening (Baking Soda, Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate), Contains 2% Or Less Of: Canola Oil, Propylene Glycol Esters Of Fatty Acids, Corn Starch, Salt, Monoglycerides, ...

What is a secret ingredient for cakes? ›

Mayonnaise: The Hidden Gem in Cake Recipes

This unexpected addition can take your cake recipes to a whole new level. To incorporate mayonnaise into your cake batter, simply add a couple of tablespoons to the mix. The result? A tender and moist cake that will have everyone asking for seconds.

How much sugar is in devils food cake? ›

Devil's Food Cake Mix
Typical ValuesPer 100gslice of cake without icing (unbaked cake mix as prepared) (75g)
Total Carbohydrates36g27g
Sugars22.7g17g
Dietary Fiber1.6g1.2g
Protein4.9g3.7g
6 more rows
Jul 11, 2016

What is the difference between a devil's food cake mix and a chocolate cake mix? ›

The Difference Between Devil's Food Cake And Chocolate Cake

In general, devil's food cakes will have a deeper chocolate flavor because they're made with cocoa powder, and will be fluffier than other chocolate cakes, due to the higher amount of baking soda.

Can I use milk instead of water in Devil's food cake mix? ›

Do you want pure, unadulterated chocolate? Water's your best bet. Our Devil's Food Cake recipe calls for either water or milk, so the choice is up to you.

What can I use instead of oil in Devil's food cake mix? ›

Applesauce: Applesauce is a popular substitute for oil or butter in baked goods, as it adds moisture and natural sweetness to the cake. Use an equal amount of applesauce as the amount of oil or butter called for in the recipe.

What is the main ingredient that makes a cake moist? ›

One common ingredient swap that is known to help make cakes remarkably moist is using milk instead of water. Try switching out any water in your recipe for full-fat milk or buttermilk for a moist, decadent texture.

What are the 5 ingredients in cake? ›

These basic ingredients for baking a cake are; flour, eggs, fat (usually butter), sugar, salt, a form of liquid (usually milk), and leavening agents (such as baking soda).

What gives sweetness to cakes? ›

That's where sugar comes in. Sugar helps to retain water, reduce gluten development and delay starch gelatinization. The setting of the structure of a cake takes place when carbon dioxide production from leavening agents is at its maximum, the gas is held in the air cells of the structure.

Which is better chocolate cake or devils food cake? ›

Baking soda allows baked goods to rise, and it creates those bubbles we see in many cakes and breads. Therefore, Devil's food cake often has more fluff and more bubbles than chocolate cake does, so if you like your cake tall and airy, Devil's food cake is the way to go.

Is devils food cake better than chocolate cake? ›

To get the maximum chocolatey finish, some use all three ingredients: melted chocolate, chocolate powder and the extra baking soda. This will actually go beyond the traditional Devil's Food taste and may even create a whole new experience. There really isn't a difference between chocolate cake and devil's food cake!

What is the difference between Angel Food Cake and devil's food cake? ›

Angel food cake has a light and airy consistency, while devil's food cake is enhanced with the additions of unsweetened cocoa powder and extra baking soda, giving this baked dessert a rich color and texture.

What makes devil's food cake different from chocolate cake? ›

Most chocolate cakes call for melted chocolate while the Devil's Food version uses cocoa powder and sometimes even coffee, which increases the robust, chocolatey taste. Using extra baking soda raises the ph levels to give the dessert a deep, dark color and help to make it a bit fluffier.

What is the difference between Black Forest cake and devil's food cake? ›

The cherry filling and lightly sweetened whipped cream are true to traditional black forest cake recipes. However, the genoise sponge (which gets its lift from whipped eggs and sugar) is replaced with a devil's food cake. This creates a more rich chocolate cake that pairs beautifully with cream and cherries.

Why is it called Devil's food cake Mix? ›

Devil's Food Cake

There are a few theories as to how it got its name. One, it's the decadent counterpart to angel food cake. Two, it's sinfully delicious. Finally, devil's food cake came about during a time when food that was spicy, rich, or dark was described as deviled, like deviled ham and deviled eggs.

What is the main Flavour of a devil's food cake? ›

Nowadays, what distinguishes a Devil's food cake is its rich chocolate flavor thanks to the use of cocoa powder. Devil's food cakes are also known for their use of extra baking soda and dark color.

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