Dynamite chocolate cake (gluten & dairy free)

Yesterday was my brother's birthday. I was tasked with the cake. His wife and a few of his friends are gluten free and dairy free so I took up the challenge and made what is quite honestly one of the best cakes I have ever had *period* and my first attempt at gf df chocolate cake. You should make this soon. You won't regret it.

I must admit I was visiting with my dad and I made one version of this without baking soda which was a tasty brick...but I tried again the morning of and was not dissapointed. I have used prebought flour mixes and made my own for gluten free baking and either way, this is the sort of recipe that would work regardless of the mix you use because the cocoa would mask the chic pea flavour in some gf flour mixes (I like either rice flour based like Kininicknicks or chic pea based like Bobs Red Mill or I make my own (see below)).
This cake  is super easy and makes a nice light chocolatey cake that reminded me of a cake my mum used to make all the time.  I doubled this recipe to make two 9 inch round cakes and layered them with chocolate mocha icing (below). Mmmmm.

Dynamite chocolate Cake

1 1/2 c gluten-free flour mix 
1/2 c cocoa (sifted to remove lumps)
1 c sugar
1/2 t salt
2 heaping t baking soda
3/4 t guar gum (critical ingredient)
5 T cooking oil
1 T vinegar
1 t vanilla extract
1 egg
1 c water

Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl to remove lumps. In another bowl, mix all the wet together with a whisk. Add all liquid ingredients and mix well. Bake in greased and floured 9" square pan lined on the bottom with waxed paper, at 350 F for 30 - 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Once it cooled I iced it with chocolate mocha icing:

6 T dairy free margarine

6 T coffee

2 t vanilla

4-5 c icing sugar ( to desired thickness)

Whip up the first three ingredients with a mixer and add in icing sugar until well mixed. This is just enought to ice a 9x13 cake or do a layer cake with icing in the middle as I did. The coffee adds a nice extra touch of yumminess. You could use coconut extract too instead and then sprinkle coconut on top too... big brudder dislikes da coconut so I went for coffee instead.

Afterthought: If you are curious and have a Nutters or Bulk Barn near you, you can save a lot of $ and make a very versatile gf flour mix with 3 c rice flour, 1/4 c potato starch, 2/3 c tapioca, 1/3 c cornstarch (and 2t guar gum if adjusting a regular recipe to be gf). Always add guar gum or xanthan gum to gluten free baking. It takes the role of gluten and allows thet stickiness you need for things to trap air and rise.