A few weeks ago, I was invited to attend the screening of Eat, Pray, Love by the lovely people at Fisher & Paykel. At the pre screening event, I was amongst a group large of magazine editors and writers and even though I was the only online person, I felt welcome rather than an oddity (how times have changed!). I got to chatting with a group from Home Beautiful and was introduced to Vanessa who works there. She had tried some of the recipes on Not Quite Nigella and spoke of a recipe of her own which was a simple five ingredient chocolate cake that had no butter or oil and was gluten free!
I am not gluten intolerant or coeliac but from holding competitions and writing about it, I know many NQN readers are or know people that are so I was eager to try this. The cake itself is wonderfully light-when first baked this had an almost mousse like quality to it which is just wonderful. It is frightfully easy and as there is no butter or oil it doesn’t require creaming. Most importantly it doesn’t taste lower fat (ok there is chocolate and the almond meal but you know what I mean right?) or gluten free. And as Vanessa says, it is even good the day afterwards!
As for the movie, well of course I was going to like the bits about Italy the most-after all that is where the “Eat” from the title comes from. I can’t compare it to the book as I haven’t read the whole book but I did think that the film did see to go on for a very long time and by the time India finished I was fidgeting like mad and just praying (no pun intended) for Bali to come along. Has anyone seen the film? What did you think of it? I know it was panned by critics but I was still curious to see it. I didn’t think it was anywhere near as bad as the critics said that it was. It was entertaining enough and like the hopeless optimist that I am I am glad that it helped me nab this wonderful recipe from Vanessa!
So tell me Dear Reader. do you know many gluten intolerant people or are you one yourself?
This is also my entry into Deeba’s Monthly Mingle event!
Vanessa’s Chocolate & Apple Gluten Free Cake
- 4 eggs, separated
- 115 g/4.06 ozs. castor/superfine sugar
- 115 g/4.05 ozs. plain chocolate, melted
- 1 medium sized apple, peeled, cored and grated (I accidentally chopped it but grating is better I think)
- 125g/4.4 ozs. almond meal
1. Preheat oven to 180C degrees/350F
2. Lightly grease and line a 20cm cake tin (I used a heart tin as I only had a 22 or 23cm tin and didn’t want it to turn out too flat)
3. Beat egg yolks with sugar until pale and creamy. Mix in melted chocolate, almond meal and grated apple.
OK it doesn’t look pretty but it tastes great, I promise!
4. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form & fold into apple+choc mixture.
5. Pour into tin and bake for 45 mins.
6. Dust with icing sugar and serve with cream and fresh strawbs. tastes even better the day after!
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111 Comments | Add your own
A marvelous combo! I’d love to have a slice of it now…
Cheers,
Rosa
MMmm chocolate cake is an especially good type to do gluten free and what a great pairing with apples. Love it!
I love using apple sauce instead of butter to my cakes! And I also prefer baking gluten-free, not because of intolerances, but just because I like it better that way
This cake sounds delicious, I think I’ll give it a go!
Nice recipe – the addition of apple is a new one for me. Thanks Lorraine!
I love that it’s in a heart shape!
My friend’s daughter is allergic to nuts, eggs and dairy! Making cakes for her is always interesting (the little girl is not a fan of banana). My son’s friend is gluten intolerant so I’m always looking out for tried and tested cake recipes and the above looks good!!
Chocolate and apple sound delicious…! I need to have a slice
.
The cake looks good – will have to store the “recipe” for when the MIL (mother in law) comes to visit next!!
Yes I saw the movie and read the book. I was a tad disappointed in the movie – didn’t really show the “true” guts of the story I felt. The real journey that she had made. I loved the Italy part – but didn’t feel the same tug of wanting to go to Italy that I felt after reading the book.
I SO want to do my own bloggers version of the the Italy part – is there anyone out there up to the challenge??
oh my god ness is one of my friends and she has made this delicious cake for me one time when i was studying for exams! it was soo welcomed and soo good!
hi ness!
your version looks swell, too.
Eat, pray, love…. Shudders. The cake looks good but!
I think it was a real win, that you got this wonderful recipe out of the screening. I loved watching the Italian part, especially the food and the speaking, I have no idea why Julie Roberts left Italy (crazy), don’t get me started on the pray (mama mia!)
I loved the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” Food and Tuscany… how can you go wrong
Make me want to pack my bags today.
I can’t wait to try this cake! It looks so moist and chocolatey
(We are calling it low fat aren’t we 
)
I totally agree with you about the movie. By the time she got to India I’d had enough.
Great recipe. My grandmother can’t eat gluten so I might try this for Christmas.
I enjoyed Eat,Pray,Love and like you lorraine Italy was my favourite part because of the food. Made me want to go on the next flight to taste them all.
It did seem a little long-winded but I was there purely for light entertainment and an escape from the norm.
I know one friend who is gluten intolerant and she has a devil of a time when she’s not careful with what she eats.
This recipe reminds me of a cake I made from Gabriel Gate, it’s lovely, chocolatey and moist.
Fabulous cake – the fact that it is low fat rather than gluten free is the big drawcard for me. And of course, you have made it so pretty! (I have one GF friend, Craig.)
My mother in law and quite a few members of her family are gluten intolerant but luckily macarons cover that. Thanks for the recipe it’s always good to have a few around in case.
My daughter is a coeliac & I am always looking for different receipes. I have made this cake a number of times & everyone enjoys it, also some lovely gluten free chocolate macaroons
Being that my daughter is on a strict gluten free diet, this is a must cook.
Ohh, I have a friend who is a Coeliac, I’ll bake this one next time I see her. Wonderful, thanks Lorraine!
I wondered if you thought it might be possible to have a ‘print this recipe link?’ It would hopefully give us the full recipe without us having to cut and paste and take out all the pictures! – Trust me though, I DO read through YOUR recipe points and take a good look at the pictures before I start cooking, it’s just a suggestion from a grateful( and now hungry)reader!
I feel lucky that I have no special dietary requirements… but I do work with a dairy intolerant, a coeliac, a diabetic, a gluten intolerant and three vegetarians! And I think my cooking has improved as a result. It’s just wonderful that there are so many beautiful gluten free recipes – such as this – that make it so easy!
Oh cake looks delightful!!!!
I think the apple would make it sooo moist and yummy too, will definitely try this one, thanks Lorraine.
Going to try this. I’m not intolerant of any food but I like to try different food ‘genres’! Nasty picture of batter though – finished product is all we need for this cake.
Thank YOU Thank YOU Thank YOU NQN for what appears to be a very very yummy ‘gluten free’ choccy cake xx Cant wait to try it! Being a ‘gluten free’ domestic goddess can be a challenge – but this recipe is going straight into my ‘repertoire’! As for Eat,Pray,Love – loved it too! but have to admit with both the book & the movie I just wanted “Italy” & the “Eat” part of the journey to go on forever!!!…
I normally share the recipes on my facebook page with my followers but the hero shot that comes up on the facebook ‘share’ is the uncooked mixture and is far to sloppy to entice anyone. Words only!
So beautiful , it looks scrumptious!
wow, I was just thinking about making some almond meal yesterday and voila, this recipe pops up in my inbox! Will definitely be trying this!
This beautiful cake would be the perfect Valentine’s Day treat (love the cute heart shape, Lorraine)! I haven’t read the book or seen the movie but I wanted to, despite the reviews…love Julia Roberts!
I have a family full of them! So this looks great – dairy free technically too if you use proper dark chocolate! I haven’t seen the movie but read the book – I was bored, she is so selfish all the time!
Eat,Pray,Love was the most nauseating book I have ever read. I saw the shorts of the film and found that even more sickening – cliched rubbish. I couldn’t bring myself to see the film. The cake looks great though.
Thank you so much for posting this. It is quite timely for me. I am catching up with friends for a BBQ this weekend and there will be two coeliacs. I know what what dessert I will be baking.
Fantastic! I just did a sour cream chocolate cake from Nigella Lawson, which is amazing, but dangerous! I had to prearrange a home for it to go so I wouldn’t be left with midnight temptation…butter, oil, gluten free sounds safer!
No-one in my family is gluten intolerant at all, but one of my favourite chocolate cake recipes is totally nut based with no flour.
I really think that chocolate improves nearly everything!
I have a very dear extended family couple who are trying to get pregnant so both have opted to watch for glutens known to interfere with nature. While they aren’t going whole hog (they tried and hated it so they bargained) they are always looking for recipes to liven up the selection. Desserts have been a huge issue and this is going to positively delight them both!
Thank you, Lorraine. You’re a true inspiration to being a foodie blogger with a heart and compassion for every eating style.
That looks super easy and yummo.
Looks great! I had indescribable chocolate cravings whilst watching masterchef last night and couldn’t find something gluten-free and easy enough to bake so I ate a snickers bar…definitely making this today
I’m not gluten intolerant but I eat gluten free (lets say 95% of the time) after getting use to living that way with a coeliac for quite a while. We have out of the 90 people at my work 6 who are gluten intolerant, plus a few who eat that way by choice rather than necessity, so I actually know quite a few!
Oh LOrraine I love love love this!!! Tomorrow is our Wedding Anniversary and I am going to bake it!!! As you know I am gluten intolerant.
I saw Eat Pray LOve too last week and I felt pretty much the same about the movie as you did…I felt something wasn’t quite right about it although it was entertaining. I haven’t read the book yet but I have it here…Dzintra♥x
Hi,
Looks like a great recipe. Up until this year i had never had to cater for anyone Gluten free.. and met a few Coeliacs.. but never cooked for them.. And now my gorgeous boyfriend moved in with me and his mum and sister are both Coeliacs, so have had to play with my dessert repoitiore quite a lot… this looks like it will join the ranks! Thanks Lorraine!
I’ve got a challenge for you Lorraine – finding delicious food for fructose malabsorption. I was diagnosed with this a few months ago and it means I can’t eat most fruit (banana, grapes, berries & citrus are ok), anything from the onion family and wheat! Wheat has something called fructan which operates like fructose. Its totally crazy and while this recipe looks wonderful, the apple would be my downfall.
that cake is bookmarked – looks delicious – as for the movie I think I will wait til it comes out on tv so I can have cuppa and cake while I watch
that sounds like a great recipe – thanks!
delicious and healthy!
Yum! This looks fabulous! I do know many gluten free people. I will love to pass this on or make it for them. I haven’t seen the movie (or read the book) but I think it looks fun and I would love to see the travel & of course food. I will definitely hire it. And be sure to make some pizza whilst watching it!
Heidi xo
Both my mum and grandma are allergic to wheat, and I adore simple recipes… so this is bookmarked. Thank you so much, Lorraine!
Chocolate and apple? What an interesting combination.
My better half is gluten intolerant so any time i find a quality recipe for her i get quite excited.
I feel for all those who can’t tolerate gluten, poor folk are forced to miss out on so much.
My husband is coeliac and my one year old looks like she is too although yet to be officially diagnosed…. This looks so delicious!! Am reading this on my way home on the train and will be making it for dessert tonight!!!
I am a coeliac so am always on the lookout for easy desserts to share with family and friends to prove gluten free does not have to equate to taste free.
This looks great and I love the almond meal and apple combination.
Cake looks delicious!
My sister-in-law is Coeliac so I try to bake gluten-free when possible… I just made an orange and Chia cake yesterday that has the same method and also uses almond meal but no butter (gasp!) – so easy and tastes great too!
I havent yet seen the movie..been saving it for when i finish the book..but i jst cant seem to get into it *shrugs* dunno why. That cake looks lovely and very moist!
Lovely lorraine, what a beautiful job you’ve done with the cake! As much as I’d love to take credit for the recipe, it’s an oldie-but-a-goodie from my mum’s tattered recipe file. She used to make it for my sister and I as little girls, and it’s become one of my favourite cakes to whip up. I’m not gluten free but have friends who are, and I know how difficult it can be to find trustworthy gluten-free recipes. happy baking!
Yay that you got an invite with the traditional media!
I can’t wait to try this cake. We’re not 100 percent sure gluten free is the way to go with Mr 9 but there is enough evidence to show that foods without gluten and without nasty colours and preservatives can exacerbate problems so I love keeping our food as natural and home-made as possible. I meant to tell you that even though my Gluten free French sticks failed, the actual French bread mix worked really well. I did it like a crusty baguette, and the kids couldn’t tell it was gluten free. So thanks for the opportunity to try it, and I will buy that mix again.
I do have a couple of gluten-free friends and they are always on the lookout for baked goods that are wheat-free, but still satisfy. This easy and lovely chocolate cake is just what we all have been looking for, whether we can tolerate wheat or not. Yum!
One of my best friends is a GI gal so I’m always looking for tried and true GF recipes – especially cakes. I’ve tried substituting GF flour in regualr recipes but hate the taste and texture that results. Will definately send this one to her.
Saw EPL on a Me Day and made the mistake of drinking a whole cup of coffee beforehand. Half an hour into the film I was busting to go to the toilet and begging for the film to end. Italy and Bali were gorgeous but I found the India part too out there. And to be honest, Julia’s character really began to bug me after a while. But visually – stunning!
Lorraine, as luck would have it I have ALL those ingredients in the cupboard and I’m going to make it TONIGHT! Thanks very much!
Yum, just made it – put some pics on fbook.. My dad throughly it. I think I may add walnuts and more chocolate next time
Yum, just made it – put some pics on fbook.. My dad throughly *enjoyed it. I think I may add walnuts and more chocolate next time
Perfect timing was looking at a chocolate cake recipe’s as I have a ‘girlie’ get together on Friday night and no matter whatever else Chocolate is always welcome…well now that that is sorted out, onto the movie. I read the book when it came out and loved it, raved about it to anyone that would listen so was very eager to see the movie as I adore Julia. I was disappointed, in part because it dragged on, but for someone who might not have read the book it didn’t give enough insight into really how troubled she was before she made the decision to leave her husband and life behind. It touched on it but in the book it was far more raw and detailed and I think that is what resonated with most women (although I have to say I am happily married with a wonderful 10 yo son). I loved Italy obviously the rest was OK but more blah than aaah!
I love everything hearts and pink and this is so absolutely deliciously excitn!!
Very very!!
Thanks for the great recipe, I think it would be easy to play around with too, like making it with pears and hazlenut meal. I’m gluten and lactose intolerant. It can make life a bit interesting at times, but it hasn’t stopped me becoming a chef and enjoying a huge array of food. There is so much choice out there we need to look past the wheat based stuff and explore some new horizons!
This looks delicious and easy – my mother in law is gluten intolerant; this looks like a great cake to make for our next dinner!
Yep, I can’t have gluten, and have a few other friends the same or Coeliac, so thanks for this! Quick,easy and with only a few basic ingredients, it should become a regular in our house.
I am intrigued too by gluten free, and love the option. Never know when one might need it! Love the depth of flavors here, and can imagine how good this must have tasted. Just what I love about food blogging – the sharing and the connect!{Would you be able to send this to this months Monthly Mingle so we can have some gluten free fare on the table too, dear Lorraine?}
http://www.passionateaboutbaking.com/2010/10/baking-apple-pear-open-pie-come-mingle-with-fruits-in-baking.html
My mum is Coeliac so always looking for a recipe to try. I was a bit funny about apple and choc (not sure why) but it worked wonderfully and it’s cheap to make too! Most gluten free cakes are quite pricey as they use so much almond meal.
Loved this! Thankyou!
Sounds like a fantastic recipe, light almost like mousse…. can’t wait to try it.
As Eat, pray and love, I am looking forward to seeing it on screen after having a wonderful time reading the novel. To my surprise, the movie disappeared so quickly from the theatres here.. a flop maybe?
Sawadee from Bangkok,
Kris
Well, I work in a pathology lab, and we do about 30 tests for coeliac a day! :O
Great recipe! Can’t wait to try it
I have a few gluten intolerant friends and I find baking for them a challenge – in a good way! Ididn’t mind the movie but thought it, and the book, was quite self indulgent… Not overly my cup of tea, even though I loved the Italian and Balinese scenery.
I feel so lucky not to have any food intolerances, I don’t know how I’d handle it with my love of cake. This chocolate cake is a great alternative, and I love it that you used an apple (cause i have so many).
*kisses* HH
I enjoyed the book, but haven’t seen the movie yet. I have to admit though that the part I liked the least was Italy.
My new found love is hazelnut meal… so good in cakes! I made a gluten free cake last week. It is as good as one with flour…
No, no allergies here but I do look for lower calorie, lower fat desserts for my husband and this seems to fit the bill. It looks moist, chocolatey and gorgeous. Didn’t see the film but friends have said the same as you. Read the book and have very mixed feelings.
Thank you my dear friend…you are a sweetheart! I’ll pick the pic off your post to save you time.
I’ve never paired chocolate with apples before, but it sounds and looks like an easy and flavorful cake. And the heart shape is very fitting.
I love that some of the traditional media have been trying out your recipes and now you are recipe swapping with them – you go Lorraine!
Thanks for this tasty chocolate & apple gf cake!! Looks just wonderful & fabulous too! I must add more apples to it though!!
Thanks for another lovely gf cake recipe, Lorraine!
Hi Lorraine, warmest greeting from Bali
. Thanks for sharing this faboulus gluten free cake recipe. Can’t wait to make and enjoy it with cuppa tea in front of paddy field in Ubud (Bali) 
this cake looks amaizing!.. love how rich the batter looks too.. yum!
About 5% of every function we hold has food allergies severe enough to make a special request with food & the number seems to be growing every year.
Eat Pray Love!!!! I can see I’ll be shouted down here, but I loved it, loved the book to
the cake looks so clever made in the heart shape, so simple but so effective
delicious ^^
I’m not gluten intolerant, but a very good friend is. She’ll be so happy if I make this for her.
It looks fabulous!
Looks great! Cannot wait to give it a try.
Reading the book at the moment!
How delicious it looks! Cant wait to try it!!
Ooh, a great cake recipe to pull out when I feel like being (semi) healthy.
I’m always on the look out for Gluten Free dessert recipes and this cake looks divine!
Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to make it for my Gluten Intolerant Mum.
Love that you go to a movie and come home with a delicious recipe. For me the movie was just alright. Not as bad as the critics said, but definitely slow in the middle. Gorgeous location shots. xoxo Mum
Ooh, this sounds delicious! Can you actually taste the apple, or is it just there to add moistness in the place of butter/oil? I’m also really keen to try a Nigel Slater chocolate and beetroot cake recipe that I’ve been meaning to cook for ages (but alas, have put myself on a self-imposed baking ban for the month of November) – I imagine it’s a similar effect.
And haven’t seen the film, but have just ordered the book to read on my flight back to Australia!
Briony xx
Thank you for sharing this! One of my boyfriend’s closest friends is coeliac so it is great to have a few recipes to go to. I’m not coeliac myself but I have tried the diet for 3 months, and it was quite hard, as I am lactose intolerant (I know you can’t tell from what I cook) as well and had to stick really hard to both diets. When gluten is ‘removed’ from a product they usually substitute it with dairy of some sort.
That looks so good. I love recipes that don’t need too many ingredients, and I prefer moister cakes to spongey cakes too.
This cake is FABULOUS! And the timing couldn’t have been more perfect – my very best friend came to visit and being coeliac LOVED it. Thanks, and thanks to Vanessa!
i thank the lord above that i’m not intolerant of gluten–i love me some flour! your cake is lovely, mostly because of the shape. i’m a sucker for hearts.
Cake looks great and very edible, even tho’ it’s gluten-free! Didn’t see the film – Couldn’t even be bothered finishing the book. Think it must have just been one of those hyped-up by media. BUT at least it got all of us this recipe! Tks
I don’t need to eat gluten free, but am happy to try delicious gluten free food- delicious food of whatever sort actually. And this cake looks delicious. I did go and see Eat, Pray, Love. I agree,it wasn’t as bad as the critics made out. It wasn’t a great movie by any stretch, but it was a pleasant way to pass a Saturday afternoon with a friend. I haven’t read the book, so don’t know how it compares.
Wow Lorraine, that cake looks scrumptious
That must be gorgeously moist with apple and almond meal. I like the way you can almost pretend it’s healthy too!
Chocolate and apple…. Hmmmm….. delicious… wanna eat it off the screen…..
Cheers,
The Variable, Crazy Over Desserts – Nachiketa
Catch me on facebook @ Crazy Over Desserts
SOOOO pretty – and that’s just the plate and cake slice. Such a lovely looking cake – amazing the difference a unique shape makes.
I’m always happy to find a gluten free cake too – I’m not intolerant but it’s good to have a few up your sleeve I find. Congratulations on the book deal and video! Good things happen to good peeps x
Hi Lorraine…tried this cake for our wedding anniversary!!! It was a big hit…now one of our favourites…Thank you so much…Dzintra♥
Finally got around to making this recipe and used it to make cupcakes for a NYE party tonight. They are cooling at the moment but by first (straight out the oven!!) taste they are going to be a hit!
i have crohn’s disease and have been managing it solely through diet for the past five years. many friends of mine have intestinal problems as well so we’re always open to new ways of making delicious food that is as good as or often better than non-gf food.
another tip is to use good quality honey in place of sugar for gf cakes. much smoother sweetness and better for you.
Oh goody. I am a coeliac, and I love gluten free cakes, they are such a good excuse for that really moist deliciousness. I usually just sub in my gf flour, but this looks cool.I was looking for a cupcake recipe and think this might just work…
So glad to have found and tried this cake, we all loved it and was a great treat for my gluten intolerant daughter, thanks heaps
Hi, I tried to bake this cake last night and it didn’t turn out for me. I doubled the recipe and used milk chocolate (does plain mean dark?) but the two cakes tasted like cardboard. Just had to throw them away. So disappointed.
A belated thank you for this recipe as I was in need of a dessert to take to a friend’s family BBQ. So being somewhat gluten intolerant these days I took this cake which was a big hit. I would have taken some strawberries or raspberries to
add a final zing to the plate but ran out of time – no car and wet,wet,wet weather sort of forced this outcome. I will have to buy a heart shaped cake tin as it does present this delicate cake more appropriately – especially as a gift for someone special.
Just made the chocolate gluten-free cake for a visiting friend in 2 days time. Can’t wait to cut the cake, I hope it’s GREAT!
Hi Dzintra! YAY I’m so glad that you liked it and happy wedding anniversary!!
That’s wonderful RedDoll! Thanks for letting us know!
You’re very welcome orlenna and I’m glad that it was a hit with your daughter!
That’s wonderful Kris!! I’m ever so pleased to hear that you liked it!
Great! I hope you like it Gabriela
Vanessa, This is first time I’d made gluten free cake, and I made it for my husband for his Birthday cake,.. And everyone loved it. It will now be the only Chocolate cake I’ll make now. I’ve recently been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and have to go gluten free. Your cake was a great start..thank you
I made this cake for a friend’s birthday and it was DELICIOUS! Great to know that it was gluten free and also not as fattening as the other GF cakes I usually make (also heaps cheaper and less ingredients). I was a bit apprehensive about the apple and how it would make the cake taste – it actually made it nice and moist. Thanks so much for a fantastic recipe!
Thanks for this. Mum is celiac, so I’ll try it for her birthday this year! Cheers.
Hi Lorraine…just popping in to say I made this delicious cake (again)on Valentine’s Day this year…and a winner all round….I just love this recipe…thanks so much again for it xoxo
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