“This cake….this is exactly what you’d expect to taste when you want a chocolate cake.” ~ My husband, after sinking his teeth into this Peanut Flour Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Buttercream frosting.
And he’s right!
This Peanut Flour Chocolate Cake has the best texture of any low-carb, THM-friendly cake I’ve ever made! It’s incredibly light and moist, and wonderfully chocolaty. If you’ve struggled to enjoy the density of Baking Blend cakes, give this one a go. It will rock your world.
Defatted peanut flour is a very dry flour to work with. It’s very similar in its constitution to coconut flour, but I prefer it’s flavor. It just requires a lot of moisture to balance it out. In this Peanut Flour Chocolate Cake, that moisture comes from 4 eggs, butter, and unsweetened cashew milk. The mixture is quite runny when you pour it into the baking pans, but it bakes up gorgeously!
I chose to make a Peanut Butter Buttercream frosting for this cake because who doesn’t love the peanut butter and chocolate combination?! The buttercream is made by whipping butter and sweetener together until fluffy, then adding in peanut butter, a splash of cream, and vanilla extract. The result is a frosting so delectable, my kids surround me like little birds in hopes I’ll be generous with any leftovers and squirt a rosette from the piping bag onto their tongues.
Aside from the amazing texture and flavor, the next best thing about this Peanut Flour Cake is that it doesn’t require any special ingredients to make! Sugar-free, defatted peanut flour is now a popular ingredients and easily sourced locally.
My favorite brand is Lakanto or Tru-Nut, because of its darker, bolder roast, but Trim Healthy Mama’s Defatted Peanut Flour, and the sugar-free version of PB & Me will also work just as well in this recipe.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Peanut Flour
- Lakanto Classic Monkfruit Sweetener (OR use half the amount in Gentle Sweet)
- cocoa powder
- baking powder
- baking soda
- mineral salt
- eggs
- unsweetened cashew milk
- butter
- vanilla extract
- natural peanut butter
If you’d like, you can make this cake dairy-free by using coconut oil in place of the butter.
NOTES:
Since publishing this recipe, it has quickly become the most popular one on my site! I’ve discovered my oven temperature is a bit cooler than most, so I’ve lowered the baking time in the recipe by 5 minutes.
Also, this recipe makes AMAZING cupcakes! Simply fill up the liners in a 12-cup muffin tin and bake for 15 minutes instead.
This Peanut Flour Chocolate Cake will rock your low-carb world! It's light, moist, and chocolaty, full of healthy fats and high in protein! THM S, Keto, GF. No special ingredients. Peanut Flour Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Buttercream | THM: S, Keto, GF
Ingredients
Instructions
This looks delicious! I know that my husband and I will be tempted to eat more than we should at a time so can you please tell me how many servings you suggest this be? I know that THM doesn’t get too caught up in this but I know myself!! Thanks!
Also, if I wanted to make these into cupcakes, how should I adjust the cooking time? I don’t know that anything else needs to be adjusted, but if so, could you please share the details with me? Thanks so much!
Hello!! You should be able to get 8-12 servings from this. It’s very high in protein, so I think you’ll find it very filling, which should help with the portion control!
Yes, these also work as cupcakes! You can bake them for 15-18 minutes that way.
Enjoy!
Does this cake require refrigeration like most of the THM desserts?
Yes, just made cupcakes today in silicone liners – 17 minutes for 22 cupcakes. I added 3 T instant coffee granules and used coconut oil and butter flavoring in the frosting.They are wonderful!
Do you know how many net carbs in a slice ?
Hi, Can I use regular milk and sugar in this recipe?
Thanks, Lee
AMAZING! I made this into cupcakes because it’s easier to control my portions that way. I baked them about 18 minutes. The texture is PERFECT!!
I’m so thrilled you loved them! Cupcakes are always a great idea!
Hi! I only have half and half on hand and don’t want to go out in the frigid cold to get cashew milk. Would half and half work? Thanks!
Can unsweetened almond milk be subbed for the cashew milk?
I did and it was delicious!
That should work, Julie!
Thank you
This may be a dumb question but does the chocolate cake taste like peanut butter cuz of the use of peanut flour?
No, you can’t tell that its made with peanut flour. Tastes like a good ol’ chocolate cake!
I see your comment that it just tastes like chocolate cake but is there a way to make it taste like a pb chocolate cake with a peanutty flavor?
The frosting is peanut butter flavored and the combination is delicious!!
This is calling my name. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
You’re welcome!
Just made these. I didn’t have any but milk so I used a couple tablespoons of cream in water to make up the cup of liquid ( likelywater would have been fine but♀️) anyway my batter was fluffy! And my cupcakes baked up wonderfully in about 20 minutes. My hubby will be so happy when he comes in! That is, if I don’t hide them all for myself lol
Yay! So glad they worked out for you!
Can I use gentle sweet for the frosting?
Sure can! You’ll just need to beat the mixture longer for it to dissolve.
Can I use PB2 instead of peanut butter
Im wondering the same thing. Can you tell me if you tried it with PB2 or PB FIT and how it worked out? I’m loving the fea of this it sounds delectable and I want to make it for my 67th birthday on Sunday
Can I substitute Pyure for the xylitol (or Gentle Sweet)? If so, what amount? Thank you.
I usually use pyure for the sweetener and I’ve found that it is about 2x sweeter than gentle sweet. I haven’t tried this recipe, but I would assume you could use half as much pyure as what is called for and it should turn out just fine.
3/4 xylital equals 12tbs. So if using gentle sweet,
You would use 6tbs and if using pyure you only need 3-4 TBS.
Thank you! I can’t wait to make this.
The only ingredient indent have is peanut flour is there any other one I could use?
I have not tried making it with any other flours, so I’m not sure how a substitution would work yet.
What do you recommend in place of Swerve? I have Gentle Sweet and Super Sweet. Thank you I can’t wait to try it
I would probably use Gentle Sweet, but beat it longer to get it to dissolve completely so your icing is not grainy. 🙂
Can egg whites be used instead of whole eggs?
I haven’t tried that yet, but I think you need the fat from the yolks to keep the cake moist.
I only have pyure as a sweetener. How much should I use?
Thanks in advance!!
I think you could use Pyure in 1/4 of the amount, but recommend taste-testing!
Where do you get your peanut flour from? What is the most economical brand? Otherwise this cake becomes super pricey!
I use Tru-Nut. In Canada, I can get it quite cheaply at Winners or Home Sense.
As a fellow Canadian that is good to know! Costco in my area used to carry the sugar free PB&ME, but have stopped! Going to try your recipe today!
Wondering if I could make this cake with coconut flour If if would have a similar texture? I have a friend who is severely allergic to peanuts but if it has such a great texture I was thinking it would be ideal for a get together I’m having soon
I’m not sure, Kathleen! I haven’t experimented with that yet. I’d probably look for a coconut flour chocolate cake recipe that’s tried and true and use that instead. 🙂
Wonderfullymadeanddearlyloved.com had a coconut flour and cocoa powder and mayo cake recipe that would work for you. They are very good.
Hi! I made this today into muffins! So good! But the batter wasn’t runny at all in fact it was quite thick, so I added more almond milk. Wondering if you’ve heard of anyone else with this problem? They were a bit dry, but still delicious. Next time will up the almond milk
I am also wondering about making with coocnut flour as i have a son with nut allergies. If yes about how much coconut flour? Thanks. Looks devine.
I have been baking low-carb/keto for years and years, and this is by FAR the best-textured cake I have ever tried! Fabulous texture, fabulous taste. I’m not a huge peanut butter fan, so the next time I make it, will make with espresso buttercream. THANK YOU for the recipe. This is a keeper!
Great recipe! Made this for my birthday cake, and the kids and my husband even liked it! Win!!
Yummy! Looks so mouthwatering! Perfect to prepare for this valentine’s day.
Can you substitute almond milk instead of cashew? Thanks!
If you read the recipe, it says you can use either cashew or almond milk.
Im the only one whose doing low carb in my house..they may eat this but i have the biggest sweet tooth. Can this be made and frozen? Do yiu recommend no icinf until thawed?
Could I bake this in a 13 x 9 pan? Would it be 20-25 minutes of baking time?
What is the nutritional info on this? I can’t seem to find it
This looks amazing! What could I use instead of Swerve? I use the Lakanto monk fruit/erithrytol blend. Thanks! I really enjoy your website!
When you use peanut flour, do you mean defatted peanut flour or regular peanut flour?
Could this be made in a 9×13 pan? If so, what would you suggest for the baking time? I don’t have great luck when I make layer cakes, and I don’t want cupcakes at the moment. Any ideas would help! Thank you for your hard and delicious work!
I used the Lakanto powdered sweetener and it turned out great!
How many carbs per slice?
Would share the nutritional info? Can’t wait to try this. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing this recipe! This is delicious! The most ‘real’ tasting baked good I’ve made since starting THM. I made as cupcakes and baked for 20 minutes. I did use almond milk instead of cashew milk. I used gentle sweet instead of the Swerve. (Thank you to the one who shared the gentle sweet measurement above!)
I made this tonight and it’s DELICIOUS. I’m actually eating a piece now. I made it in an 8×8 pan. I use Gentle Sweet in the frosting but pulsed it in my Magic Bullet to finely grind it. I could eat the frosting by the spoonful. Wonderful recipe! Thank you!!
I made mine as cupcakes, and I every time I eat one, I think “forget the cake – just give me a spoon and the frosting”!
My cake did not rise. What did I do wrong??
Did you remember to add the baking powder and soda? And were they fresh?
What would you recommend to make the frosting dairy free? I have a butter substitute but was wondering if you thought cashew milk could be substituted for the half and half?
I used 2 Tlbs of full fat coconut milk in the can. It whips up like cream and is delicious!
This is a wonderful recipe! I’ve made it as a layer cake and as cupcakes. Both times I’ve felt like I’m eating regular sugar and white flour cake. It’s by far the best THM cake I’ve tried. Thank you!
Can you make your own peanut flour with peanuts?
Thank you so much for this delicious recipe! Immediately out of the oven my son comes out of his room and says “these smell like real cupcakes”, and we all love them. They definitely are the best, most “real” tasting, dessert I have made since starting THM. Can’t wait to try the “Pretzel Jello” dessert!
HELP! I need to make this now and I don’t have Gentle Sweet and I don’t want to use Xylitol because I have kids and dogs. Can I use Pyure sweetener instead? And what amount should I use? I have Swerve for the frosting.
I used Erythritol. I make my own sweetener. (1 cup Erythritol and 1 teaspoon of stevia ground up in a blender)
I used about the same amount listed in the ingredients. Came out great.
These are the best THM friendly cupcakes I have ever had. Texture and flavor are wonderful. I plan to make these often and will serve them to guests. And so easy!
I am soooo excited to make this cake for my husbands birthday next week!! But i cant find the nutritional facts, how many carbs and sugar is what im really interested in… do you have that information? It looks so incredibly good! You are amazing!
Made this as cupcakes! Turned out perfect ! Made 18 cupcakes. Yummy without the frosting – can only imagine how much better they would be with it.
Thank you!!!
If substituting gentle sweet for the swerve, how much should I use?
Does the frosting recipe make enough to frost the cake as it is pictured? I always seem to run short on frosting
Amazing! Just made this as a late birthday cake for myself. :p You did not oversell this! I normally don’t like saying this because I think it undermines how good THM desserts can be but this has the texture and taste of a “normal” chocolate cake! Thanks so much for this incredible recipe I think it will be my go to birthday cake. The frosting is delectable too by the way.
I love this recipe but I did modify it a little. Here’s the substitutions I made. I used 1/4 c. of Pyure and added more cocoa powder (in total I’ll use 1/2c) and I used avocado oil instead of butter. (I’ve found it improves the moisture of baked goods). In the frosting I used 2 1/2 tbsp powdered pyure and added about a 1/2 block of cream cheese to make up for the lack of volume in sweetener. I didn’t have half and half or cream so I used almond milk and a touch of Greek yogurt instead.
Can I substitute heavy whipping cream for the half and half?
Thank you for sharing this tip! I was wondering if I could make subs for the half and half and I was concerned about the lack of “powdered sugar ” volume! This is my first attempt and it’s for my friend’s birthday today!
To measure peanut flour do you spoon into cup and level off? No packing down.
Is peanut flour the same as powdered peanuts? I have some of the powdered peanut “stuff” that you can make peanut butter from.
I’d like to know that as well.
Please post the nutritional information is, as we need to know how many carbs there are in a serving. Also, please tell me what THM stands for. Thank you can’t wait to make this cake waiting for your reply !
THM is Trim Healthy Mamma.
A company founded by two women.
Their products are outstanding, their way of eating and fueling our bodies is genius.
I love northernnester for making THM friendly recipes.
Thank you for all these great THM recipes. I really appreciate them.
THM means “Trim Healthy Mama.”
I made the cake but it came out dry (the frosting was great though!). Do you have any suggestions?
Nutritional value please
I’m curious if anyone has tried this recipe in a 10/15 cake pan? Would I need to double the recipe?
Was looking for a recipe to use my peanut flour and saw this. Bonus: It’s lowcarb!! Only thing missing is the carb count per serving, so I guess I’ll have to add everything up myself and divide by servings.
I used coconut milk and it worked out great.
What a delicious treat! Thanks
How long would you bake this in a 9×13 pan?
I know it’s a peanut flour cake, but just wondering if there are any subs you’d suggest for peanut allergies? Or maybe even another yummy chocolate cake recipe?
Is the baking soda and baking powder measurement correct? If so, does it need to be doubled if I’m doubling the recipe? It does look like a lot to me, but I’ve made this recipe twice before, so I just made this and doubled the recipe to take to a bake sale… and it tastes like baking soda. 🙁 My husband suggested maybe this is a case where you don’t need to double that certain ingredient.
For Daiy free can i use coconut oil in the icing as well as in the cake?
I don’t have lakanto but xylo sweet. Do i use the same quantity for the cake ?