This dairy-free, gluten-free chocolate and vanilla sponge cake is delicious. The chocolate is brownie-like, the vanilla is light, and it's all arranged in a chequerboard design and smothered in rich, dairy-free chocolate frosting.
To achieve this light consistency, I used Pure Sunflower Spread, which is completely dairy free and fantastic to use in baking.
Here's how to make this chocolate and vanilla chequerboard cake.
Ingredients
For the sponges:
- 280 g (9.9 oz) Pure Dairy Free Spread
- 350 g (12.3 oz) caster sugar
- 4 medium free range eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla paste
- 350 g (12.3 oz) gluten free self raising flour
- pinch salt
- 50 g (1.8 oz) cocoa
- 2 tbsp water
For the frosting:
- 250 g (8.8 oz) Pure dairy free spread
- 250 g (8.8 oz) icing sugar
- 100 g (3.5 oz) cocoa powder
Instructions
To make the sponges:
- Preheat the oven to 160C (140C fan, 320F).
- Beat the spread, vanilla and sugar together until fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Beat in the flour and salt until pale.
- Divide the mixture between two bowls. Beat 50g cocoa into one of them.
- Grease and line four square 7", straight-sided baking trays. Fill two with the chocolate mix and two with the vanilla mix.
- Bake the chocolate ones for 25 minutes and the vanilla ones for 35 minutes (or until everything is just firm).
- Leave to cool completely. (Tip: If you wrap them in clingfilm and place them in the fridge for an hour or even overnight, they're easier to work with when it comes to the cutting and assembly)
To make the frosting:
- Beat the spread, icing sugar and cocoa together, starting slowly and working up to full speed until the mix is fluffy.
To bring it all together:
- Take a slab of cake and cut in half, then quarters, then eighths, then sixteenths. Repeat for the other three cakes.
- On a clean board, begin to reassemble the first layer in a chequerboard fashion, smearing a little frosting along each edge as you go.
- When you have your first layer done, cover the top with a thin layer of frosting, then begin building your second layer.
- Keep going until you have 4 layers, then cover the whole of the outside with frosting and place in the fridge for an hour to set.
Enjoy!
What did you think of this fun and delicious chequerboard cake?
Here's that recipe again in a printable format.
Dairy free, gluten free chocolate and vanilla chequerboard cake
This dairy-free, gluten-free chocolate and vanilla sponge cake is delicious. The chocolate is brownie-like, the vanilla is light, and it’s all arranged in a chequerboard design and smothered in rich, dairy-free chocolate frosting.
Servings: 10
Ingredients
For the sponges:
- 280 g (9.88 oz) Pure Dairy Free Spread
- 350 g (12.35 oz) caster sugar
- 4 medium free range eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla paste
- 350 g (12.35 oz) gluten free self raising flour
- pinch salt
- 50 g (1.76 oz) cocoa
- 2 tbsp water
For the frosting:
- 250 g (8.82 oz) Pure dairy free spread
- 250 g (8.82 oz) icing sugar
- 100 g (3.53 oz) cocoa powder
Instructions
To make the sponges:
- Preheat the oven to 160C (140C fan, 320F).
- Beat the spread, vanilla and sugar together until fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Beat in the flour and salt until pale.
- Divide the mixture between two bowls. Beat 50g cocoa into one of them.
- Grease and line 4 square 7", straight-sided baking trays. Fill two with the chocolate mix and two with the vanilla mix.
- Bake the chocolate ones for 25 minutes and the vanilla ones for 35 minutes (or until everything is just firm).
- Leave to cool completely. (Tip: If you wrap them in clingfilm and place them in the fridge for an hour or even overnight, they're easier to work with when it comes to the cutting and assembly)
To make the frosting:
- Beat the spread, icing sugar and cocoa together, starting slowly and working up to full speed until the mix is fluffy.
To bring it all together:
- Take a slab of cake and cut in half, then quarters, then eighths, then sixteenths. Repeat for the other three cakes.
- On a clean board, begin to reassemble the first layer in a chequerboard fashion, smearing a little frosting along each edge as you go.
- When you have your first layer done, cover the top with a thin layer of frosting, then begin building your second layer.
- Keep going until you have 4 layers, then cover the whole of the outside with frosting and place in the fridge for an hour to set.
Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @amummytoo on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. I can't wait to see your posts!
This is a commissioned post for Pure. For more details on Pure Dairy Free, visit the Pure website.
More gluten-free recipes to try
Healthier chocolate bars
A healthy alternative to store-bought chocolate bars, these treats are made from chocolatey dates and nuts with a cocoa and maple syrup topping.
Get the recipe 
Gluten free harissa mac and cheese
Smooth, creamy cheese sauce with a harissa kick, generously enveloping perfectly cooked pasta and topped with a sprinkling of impossibly tempting cheese? This gluten-free mac and cheese ticks every box – it’s comforting, creamy, smooth and delicious.
Get the recipe 
Waffle apple burgers. Kid-friendly, gluten-free dessert
A fun and fruity treat that makes perfect individual portions, fantastic for when you and your family deserve something a bit special and extra delicious.
Get the recipe 
Kiwiberry cheesecakes (raw, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, paleo)
Creamy, light, sweet and more-ish cheesecake made with coconut cream, cashews, dates, walnuts and kiwi berries.
Get the recipe 
Gluten Free Nutty Carrot Cakes
These delicious cakes are filled with delicious dried fruit and flavoured with the Dr. Oetker Madagascan Vanilla Grinder.
Get the recipe 
Get Your Kids to Eat Anything
My debut cookbook, Get Your Kids To Eat Anything is available now from all good bookshops!
It's so much more than a cookbook, it's a 5-Phase programme designed to take you through a meaningful, simple and sustainable journey to end fussy eating.
Since its release in March 2019, Get Your Kids To Eat Anything has been changing mealtimes in households across the country and has become an Amazon #1 best-seller.
Pure Dairy Free says
Thank you so much for making this delicious cake free from dairy and gluten! We’re loving it :) Thanks for spreading the dairy free love :)
Emily says
Finally, a cake recipe without dairy products. I've been searching for a good recipe for quite some time now, but alas I had no success. I will definitely give this a go. I haven't eaten cake since forever.
Thanks, Emily : )
Emily Leary says
I really like this one and apart from the vanilla cake being a little lighter and airier in texture than a really buttery, gluten-based cake, there's nothing in the texture and flavour to give away that this is a 'free from' cake!
Top10sy says
Looks amazing I hope its also yummy in taste..
Emily Leary says
Thank you - it really is very tasty. My daughter literally cried in the hope of getting seconds!
Top10sy says
Great to know that Emily its also tasty now after knowing that its also yummy I am excited to eat this dish...
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Well done Emily! Great looking cake and lovely checker-boarding. It's good to see some GF baking from such a great blogger. Should I feel threatened that you have made it look so easy?? AND so perfect??
Emily Leary says
Thank you! I am really enjoying experimenting with GF ingredients but I bow down to your expertise - you always post amazing ideas!
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Thanks Emily.... But I can't wait to see what else you invent! Keep up the good work x
Emily Leary says
:D I posted a vegan, raw, GF cheesecake recipe today...
Torn Clark says
Wow, these look fantastic, it surely costs the effort to making one of these!
Emily Leary says
Thanks! It's great fun to make, and I promise it is indeed worth the effort :)
Katerina says
This cake has my name written all over it!
Emily Leary says
:) so glad you like it. Let me know if you try it!
Katy says
We use Pure, the sunflower one as LJ is allergic to soya too. This is a fab recipe!! x
Emily Leary says
The sunflower one is my favourite too. So glad you like the recipe - do please let me know if you try it :)