Chocolate Grid Cake – Light, Moist, and Elegantly Simple

This Chocolate Grid Cake is a beautiful fusion of simplicity and indulgence. With its soft crumb, rich chocolate flavor, and tidy square presentation, it’s a dessert that looks as good as it tastes. Designed to be lighter yet still satisfying, this cake is perfect for sharing at gatherings or portioning out for the week. The neat grid layout makes serving effortless, and the balance of sweetness ensures it pleases every palate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Deep Chocolate Flavor – Rich cocoa delivers that classic, satisfying chocolate taste.
Light and Moist – Made with smart ingredients for a tender texture without heaviness.
Perfect Portions – The grid design allows for evenly sized, easy-to-serve squares.
Simple to Make – No complicated steps, just wholesome ingredients and straightforward baking.

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• ½ cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk (or low-fat milk)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup brown sugar substitute or coconut sugar
• ¾ cup whole wheat flour
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt

Optional glaze (light):

• 2 tbsp powdered sugar substitute
• 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp milk or almond milk

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, Greek yogurt, eggs, almond milk, vanilla, and brown sugar substitute until smooth.

3. Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the flours, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.

4. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 22–26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. Cool and Slice
Let the cake cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, slice into a 4×4 grid to create 16 squares.

6. (Optional) Add Glaze
If using the glaze, mix powdered sugar substitute, cocoa powder, and milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cake before serving.

Nutritional Information (Per Square)

Calories: 95
Protein: 3g
Fat: 2.5g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Sugar: 4g
Fiber: 2g

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overmix – Stir the batter just until combined for a soft, tender crumb.
• Cool Before Cutting – Letting the cake cool completely ensures clean cuts.
• Customize It – Add a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the batter for extra texture.
• Great for Freezing – Freeze individual squares for a ready-to-go treat.

Why This Recipe Works

Using applesauce and yogurt in place of oil or butter keeps this cake moist and satisfying while reducing calories and fat. Whole wheat flour adds fiber, and cocoa powder delivers full-bodied chocolate flavor. The result? A treat that feels decadent without going overboard.

This Chocolate Grid Cake proves that you don’t need heavy ingredients to create a deliciously moist and rich chocolate dessert. Simple to make, easy to portion, and beautiful on the plate, it’s a go-to recipe for guilt-free indulgence and crowd-pleasing charm.