Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe (2024)

By Genevieve Ko

Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Rating
4(2,956)
Notes
Read community notes

Crackly on top and fudgy yet tender in the center, this cake tastes like a complex restaurant dessert, but comes together effortlessly in one bowl. Chocolate chips save you the messy step of chopping chocolate bars and deliver deep flavor along with cocoa powder. If you don’t have a springform pan, a regular cake pan lined with foil all around makes it easy to lift out the delicate cake, which melts in your mouth when served warm or at room temperature. Refrigerated or frozen leftovers take on a candylike chewiness, but a quick zap in the microwave will return it to just-baked softness. Slices are delicious on their own or with any creamy toppings.

Featured in: Forget Chocolate Bars: Baking With Chips Is Often Better

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Ingredients

Yield:8 to 12 servings

  • ¾cup/168 grams unsalted butter, cut up, plus more for greasing the pan
  • 1cup/173 grams bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
  • ½cup/50 grams unsweetened natural cocoa powder
  • ¾cup/150 grams granulated sugar
  • 4large eggs
  • 1teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Whipped cream or ice cream, for serving (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (10 servings)

309 calories; 22 grams fat; 13 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 6 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 29 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 25 grams sugars; 4 grams protein; 34 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan, or press a large sheet of foil into the bottom and up the sides of an 8-inch round cake pan, smoothing the sides, and generously butter the foil.

  2. Step

    2

    Bring a few inches of water in a large saucepan to a simmer over medium heat. Set a large heatproof bowl over the saucepan and add the chocolate. When the chips look soft and melty, stir gently until smooth. Turn off the heat, and add the butter to the bowl. Stir gently until melted and smooth. Add the cocoa powder and stir until smooth, then take the bowl off the saucepan.

  3. Stir in the granulated sugar until incorporated, then add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla, then scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

  4. Step

    4

    Bake until crackly and dry on top, and a toothpick inserted 2 inches from the edge comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with some crumbs attached.

  5. Step

    5

    Cool in the pan on a rack, then remove the sides of the springform pan or lift the cake out of the cake pan using the foil overhang. You can slice and serve warm or at room temperature. Or, to cut very neat slices, freeze the cooled cake until firm. Slice and warm up in the microwave or oven, if preferred. Serve the cake with whipped cream or ice cream, if you’d like. The cake can be wrapped and kept at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Ratings

4

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2,956

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Tobalah

I can name that tune in one note….forget the double boiler and melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl on low heat for 15 seconds at a time. Stir after each zap until melted, stir, then dump in the rest of the ingredients, mix well and bake.

Nora

1-2 teaspoons of instant expresso makes this great desert even better!

Andreas E

Here a note from a Swede about to make this: thank you so much for your efforts in presenting your recipes in grams and other oldworldly measurements. Makes our lives easier over here. :)

Suzanne

This cake is a winner no matter what, but I like to add some ancho chile powder and some pecans. A little heat and a little crunch to add contrasting texture elevate it even further.

flo

I am french and my mother taught me to do a chocolate mousse which in fact was the exact recipe for our flourless cake, you just cook it !!We would chop 2 bars of Lindt dark chocolate, in a pan with a tablespoon of water and start to slowly melt it then add 150 grams of butter (!) , 2 tbsp of brown sugar, then add the 4 yolks, beat the 4 whites, add to the mix of chocolate/butter/yolks, then cook for just 25 minutes. Velvety... ;)

Tobalah

I just realized what this recipe is - a reformatted version of a never fail Brownie recipe from the back of the CH Sugar bag which I cut out and still have fifty years later. Then, I was making $90/wk and bringing home $65 after taxes, so I couldn’t make the Brownies very often, as I considered them pricey. Anyhow, if you want to turn this into Brownies, dump 1 1/4 c flour, 1 tsp baking powder and 1 c chopped walnuts into the mix and bake in a 9x13 greased pan for 25-35 minutes.

Tobalah

CORRECTION WITH MY APOLOGIES. Save the unnecessary double boiler. and just melt the chocolate chips AND butter in the microwave in 15 second zaps until melted. Stir until smooth. and a little cooled. Dump in remaining ingredients, blend well, and proceed as directed.

jennifer groves

Made this cake, then made the Claire Ptak (Violet Bakery) version of this recipe. Same exact ingredients in almost the same proportions, except the other uses 1/4 tsp of salt. the preparation is completely different, the eggs are separated & whipped, folded into melted chocolate butter & salt. This is good but the Claire Ptak is DIVINE. If you are thinking of making this type of cake use the one from the Violet Bakery cookbook instead- it’s head & shoulders above.

Genevieve Ko

It'll work! Just start checking for doneness at 30 minutes to make sure it doesn't over bake. The cake will be flatter, but still delicious.

Debbie

This is such a simple, yummy, gluten-free recipe for all. This celiac mom says thank you. Powdered sugar dusted on top tastes great, too!

Deb

Made this last night. Very easy using microwave method to melt chocolate. I used Hu’s dark chocolate hunks and did NOT add any sugar. Cake was perfect dark chocolate richness. Served with raspberries and blueberries!

Amie

Instead of vanilla, kahlua is an awesome addition to this cake. Also chopped up heath bars sprinkled on the whipped cream taste very good too!

Eli W

Highly recommend trying it with a splash of espresso or strong coffee added into the mix around the same step as the vanilla. Trust me!

Alison Taylor

Applesauce in a dish like this is highly unlikely to work as a sub. I routinely pull back on butter/oil in recipes swapping applesauce and this type of recipe won't work that way. Quick breads have a much better chance of being successful. This is a decadent and rich dessert that would be completely different if you reduced the butter.

Lisa V

I made this out of what I had. Doves dark chocolates, salted butter and halved the recipe. Just a test to see what it tastes like. Used two mini springforms. Even that worked out great! I can’t imagine I wouldn’t have thrown a little salt in anyway, that’s just the way I was taught. Took about 35 mins in the oven. Delish! I’ll make it for reals when my gluten-free friend comes through town.

Laura

Made this for a family dinner yesterday- HUGE hit and so easy to make. Had whip cream and berries on the side.

Midwest Chick

Just curious if anyone has tried this using EVOO instead of butter. I do this for chocolate chip cookies (half mild EVOO and half Butter flavored EVOO) and they're delicious (and healthier!).

Crazy cat lady

Quick note for all of the one-bowl hacks (which work like a charm)--do be sure your eggs are not directly out of the fridge. I get them out and put them in a bowl of warm water when I start melting the chocolate. You really don't want chocolate scrambled eggs.

doreenvalenza

This is soooo delicious and easy to make. I have made it at least 7 times and everyone has enjoyed eating it. Freezes great. Thanks for this great cake! One time.. I tried grinding up some toffee bars instead of the chocolate chips- it worked! Again thanks for this!!!

rebecca

Is this gluten free?

liz

Made this exactly as it is written. One of the easiest cakes I’ve made. Served it with the whipped cream. It was delicious. I know I’ll make it again…soon!

morgan

which type of oven heat should i use? mine was overcooked after 30min in the oven

Tracey

If you are asking regular vs. convection/fan setting - generally American recipes will always explicitly state directions for convection/fan if that is the intent. If you used the regular setting and it overcooked, you may need to check the temperature of your oven - there's a good chance it runs hot.

kate

good and easy but too sweet

Jess

I've made this many times for retreat groups. This is a winner for everyone - especially our gluten-free guests.I just pulled two out of our commercial convection ovens at 15 minutes!

Jennifer

This was wonderful the first time I made it. A disaster the second time. Thought I did something wrong with measurements or ingredients. As it turns out, the third time this thing is floating in a pool of butter. I was able to pour off a couple of tablespoons. So, please, can we check this recipe? These ingredients are expensive!

ALW

I’m typically not a chocolate dessert fan, and I would make this again in a heartbeat. This cake was moist and the richness was just right. We took it out of the oven early at 35 mins, as others have suggested. We added a bit of instant espresso too. Excellent!

Barbara H

This came out more or less perfectly! I used 130 instead of150 grams of sugar, a 9" springform pan, and baked it for 30 mins (as one reviewer helpfully suggested). I think it might have even benefitted from 25 minutes. It was moist inside and crackled and chewy outside. Definitely better with whipped cream. (The chocolate tasted amazing, of course, because I used Valrhona cocoa powder & semi-sweet Caraibe cacao discs.) Next time I might whip the whites & fold them in. Still, this is a keeper!I

Barbara

This is gluten free IF chocolate, cocoa and vanilla that are labeled gluten free are used. Not all brands are gluten free, please be careful if making this for someone with celiac disease or other gluten sensitivity conditions.

Emily

So bummed! This did not come out at all as expected. I am not sure what went wrong? I followed the recipe exactly as written with the only difference being the use of salted vs unsalted butter. I don’t think I even want to retry as the taste was off and it fell to nearly one inch thick??

Ess

I’m thinking of trying to make this with white chocolate. Any suggestions out there for measurements ? Happy to hear all.

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Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What happens to a cake without enough flour? ›

Too much flour? Your cake mix will be too stiff and the sponge too dry. Not enough flour? Your cake mix will be too wet and your sponge will be dense and stodgy.

Why do people eat flourless cake? ›

The dessert contains no gluten which makes it acceptable for those with celiac disease, gluten-free diets, and during religious holidays in which gluten and grains are not permitted.

Does flourless cake need to be refrigerated? ›

Storage: This cake can be stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you store it in the refrigerator, let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.

What happens if you add too little flour? ›

Adding too little flour can cause cookies to be flat, greasy, and crispy. Most recipes assume you'll use all-purpose, but if you want a lighter, crumblier cookie texture, choose one with a lower protein content such as cake-and-pastry flour. Baking soda helps cookies spread outward and upward while cooking.

What happens if you put less sugar in a cake? ›

In some baking, such as quick breads and cake, sugar is an essential ingredient for providing the right moisture and texture. The chemistry of sugar attracts water molecules, so cutting it out can make your baked goods too tough and dry.

What does flourless chocolate cake taste like? ›

The beauty of a flourless chocolate cake is the texture! Think of it as sort of a grown-up version of a brownie. This cake tastes like a a mix between a brownie, cake, truffle, and mousse. It's silky smooth, decadent, and SO delicious!

Who invented the flourless cake? ›

Is it surprising, then, to find that the cake is most likely more than 100 years old? La torta tenerina (also called the Queen of Montenegro cake, named after Elena of Montenegro, who became queen of Italy in 1900), was first documented in Ferrara, Italy, and is still found on restaurant and bakery menus there.

Which is better for chocolate cake all-purpose flour or cake flour? ›

Use cake flour in recipes where you want an extra-light, extra-fluffy texture, like Angel Food Cake, Cream Cheese Pound Cake, or Buttermilk-Chocolate Cake. You can also use cake flour to bring a more tender crumb to other sweets, like Chocolate Crinkle Cookies.

Who invented the flourless chocolate cake? ›

Who Created Flourless Chocolate Cake? The first recorded version of flourless chocolate cake was in Ferrara, Italy, in 1900. However, various origin myths exist. Whatever the true story is, one common theme remains: this sumptuous cake resulted from a fortunate baking mistake.

What does a flourless cake taste like? ›

6-Ingredient Flourless Chocolate Cake (Gluten Free)

This flourless chocolate cake is every chocolate lover's dream come true. It's fudgy and chocolatey and basically tastes like a mix between a truffle and chocolate mousse. That is, it's pretty much chocolate perfection – and super easy to make as well!

Can I eat a 2 week old cake? ›

“You'll want to store a cake in the fridge with plastic wrap against the cut part (of the cake) to prevent the cake from drying out,” says Edwards, adding that store-bought cakes may last longer in the fridge, but homemade cakes should typically be consumed in five to seven days.

How much caffeine is in flourless chocolate cake? ›

One piece of flourless chocolate cake will typically contain 1oz of semisweet chocolate (45-50% cocoa)--5 to 10mg of caffeine. The same goes for chocolate lava cake, chocolate mousse cake, chocolate souffle, and chocolate muffins.

What are flourless cakes made of? ›

It has turned into one of my back-pocket dessert recipes because it calls for 3 simple ingredients that I almost always keep stocked in my kitchen — eggs, butter and chocolate. It's easy to prep and bake in under 1 hour. It's naturally gluten-free. And who can argue with a decadent, fudgy, flourless chocolate cake?!

Is flour important in a cake? ›

Flour provides the structure in baked goods. Wheat flour contains proteins that interact with each other when mixed with water, forming gluten. It is this elastic gluten framework which stretches to contain the expanding leavening gases during rising.

Why is flour important in cake making? ›

Flour lends structure to baked goods, like cakes, biscuits, pastry and bread, with a range in protein content to suit the purpose and desired outcome. Higher-protein flours provide a greater proportion of gluten and a stronger dough for products like bread and the reverse is true for use in cakes and biscuits.

What makes cake soft and spongy? ›

Baking powder is mixed with the flour. When water is added to this flour to make dough, baking powder undergoes a chemical reaction during which carbon dioxide gas is produced. This carbon dioxide gas gets trapped into the dough and bubbles out which causes the cake to rise making it soft and spongy.

Why did my cake turn out chewy? ›

Overmixing

Overworking the batter, especially if it contains gluten, will result in a tough, chewy cake. You'll often see the instructions, “mix until just combined,” in cake recipes. This means to stop mixing as soon as you see that all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

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