# Decadent Sugar-Free Cakes This Rich Chocolate Cake is Sweetened with Natural Ingredients By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2015-09-03 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweetened-with-natural-ingredients References: [chocolatecoveredkatie](http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2015/09/03/refined-sugar-free-chocolate-cake/) The Chocolate Covered Katie blog recently put together a recipe for a decadent chocolate cake that is sweetened with natural ingredients. As consumers become more health conscious, there is a growing shift away from using refined sugar. This recipe proves that abandoning refined sugar does not lead to flavorless dishes. Instead of refined sugar, this cake is sweetened with natural ingredients. The recipe is flexible meaning you can use maple syrup, honey or any other natural sweetener. The rest of the recipe consists of other wholesome ingredients such as spelt flour, [coconut oil](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/guittard-sant-72-cacao) and nut milk. The end result is a [soft and fluffy cake](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rooting-for-you-carrot-cake-slices) that delivers a rich chocolate flavor. The recipe demonstrates that [natural sweeteners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soulsweet) can be an excellent alternative to refined or artificial sugars. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 46% | Activity: 57% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Natural Sweeteners:** The trend of replacing artificial and refined sugars with natural sweeteners creates opportunities for food and beverage companies to offer healthier options. - **Healthy Desserts:** The trend of health-conscious consumers seeking healthier dessert options presents opportunities for recipe developers and food manufacturers to create desserts that are both delicious and healthful. - **Flexibility in Recipes:** The trend of recipe flexibility that allows for substitution of ingredients creates opportunities for food bloggers, cookbook authors, and recipe developers to provide more choice to consumers. ### Where This Applies - **Bakery:** The bakery industry can incorporate natural sweeteners to offer healthier alternatives of cakes, pastries, and baked goods, meeting the consumer's growing demand for healthy options. - **Health Food:** Health food industry can offer more healthy dessert options and market them to health-conscious consumers with the help of natural sweeteners. - **Food Blogging:** The food blogging industry can provide more flexible recipes that allow for substitution of ingredients to cater to different dietary needs or preferences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Date-Sweetened Chocolate Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/naturally-sweetened-chocolate-bar.md) - [Decadent Free-From Donuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plant-based-donuts.md) - [Free-From Dessert Donuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/red-velvet-cake-donut.md) - [Date-Sweetened Chocolate Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/date-sweetened-chocolate-chips.md) - [Cacaofruit Sugar Substitutes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cacaofruit-sugar-substitute.md) - [Free-From Donut Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zero-maida-donut-cake.md) - [Plant-Based Bakers Chocolate](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/choco-oat-mlk-43-no-added-sugar.md) - [Date-Sweetened Plant-Based Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bon-appesweet.md) - [Organic Sugar-Free Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yummy-zero-sugar.md)