If you're looking for the perfect dessert that’s rich, decadent and sure to wow your guests, look no further than this flourless chocolate cake.
Best ever flourless chocolate cake (easy recipe)
Based on my favourite bakery's version, this is the best flourless chocolate cake recipe you’ll ever try and one of my favourite cakes of all times.
It's easy to make, gluten-free, and utterly delicious.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion (I can make any event a special occasion to warrant this), hosting a dinner party, or simply indulging your sweet tooth, this fudgy, melt-in-your-mouth cake is a true chocolate lover’s dream.
For every Birthday until I had kids I made one request for my Birthday cake – a flourless chocolate cake from a fancy bakery in New Farm.
Shortly before my Birthday one year I was perusing the local paper and what did I spot... THE recipe!
I was stoked and decided I’d make my own that year.
When I mentioned it to my Mum she kindly offered to make it for me.
Why Flourless Chocolate Cake
First, let’s talk about why a flourless cake is so special.
By skipping flour altogether, the cake is naturally gluten-free, making it the perfect option for anyone on a gluten-free diet.
But I personally don't mind if cake is gluten free or not, I just love the dense, richness that almond meal (flour replacement) adds to baked goodies.
It creates a rich, and fudgy texture that’s incredibly satisfying and I think takes a bit of the richness out making it easier to indulge.
Whipped egg whites (mixed in separately to the yolks) give the cake a light, airy texture while still maintaining that fudgy, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
This cake is best when served at room temperature, so it has that perfect meltiness (yes that's a word) when you slice into it.
Whether you’re serving it on Valentine’s Day, for a Birthday, or at a dinner party, this cake will steal the show.
How to Make the Best Flourless Chocolate Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Butter - the pure good stuff that comes wrapped in foil/paper
- Dark chocolate - as the chocolate is the star of the recipe, make sure you use high-quality chocolate for the richest flavour
- Gluten-free flour - if you're don't have to make this gluten free you can use regular plain flour
- Almond meal - also called ground almonds or almond flour
- Eggs - at room temperature
- Caster sugar - also called superfine sugar
- Demerara sugar
What to top the best ever flourless chocolate cake with
On this occasion, my Mum topped it with Chocolate Fudge Icing (like a lighter version of chocolate ganache) and perfection was born but here are a few other ideas if that's not up your alley:
Arrange caramelised nuts like our maple coated walnuts on top and dust with icing sugar
Dust with powdered sugar (icing sugar).
Top with whole strawberries and dust with cocoa powder
Other mixed berries
How to serve
It's absolutely delicious just on it's own but you can also serve it with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and fresh berries.
A small piece really is all you need but it's a challenge to stop at one.
If you need a gluten free cake for a celebration then this is it.
Look no further.
It’s pricey to make, with its 9 eggs but it’s worth it trust me.
Thanks for making it for me Mum!
What about you? Do you have a favourite Birthday cake?
Tips for success
- Chocolate - the melted chocolate really is the star of the show here so make sure you're using good-quality stuff. Have a taste of it before you use it. We like to use 70% dark chocolate in baking.
- Egg whites - The key to getting the perfect texture in a flourless cake is beating the egg whites properly. You don't want any runny egg whites at the bottom of the bowl. If the peaks are too soft, the cake won’t rise properly and might end up dense or flat. Once you’ve achieved fluffy egg whites, gently fold them in. Don’t overmix, or you’ll deflate the batter.
- Storage - store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or in the fridge if you prefer it chilled.
- Make ahead - This cake is the perfect make-ahead dessert. You can bake it a day or two in advance and keep it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or even add a layer of aluminium foil over the top and freeze it for up to 3 months.
More reasons to love this cake
This flourless chocolate cake is a gluten-free dessert that’s perfect for those following a gluten-free diet, but trust me, anyone will love it!
The rich chocolate cake has a fudgy texture that’s like a cross between a chocolate torte and a molten lava cake, making it a chocolate lover’s dream.
Whether you’re celebrating a Birthday or just treating yourself, this cake will quickly become your go-to for chocolate desserts.
Can you make this into a layer cake
You absolutely can but we would advise doubling the recipe and making two cakes to stack on top of each other.
Recipe
The best ever flourless chocolate cake
Ingredients
- 375 g butter
- 375 g dark chocolate
- 75 g plain gluten-free flour can use regular plain flour if you want
- 60 g almond meal
- 9 free-range eggs
- 225 g caster sugar save 25g
- 90 g Demerara sugar
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 175C fan-forced and grease and line the base of a 28cm springform round cake pan with parchment paper.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat just until melted.
- Take it off the heat and stir through the chocolate until melted.
- Transfer the mixture to a large stainless steel mixing bowl.
- In another large bowl, combine the flour and almond meal.
- Place the egg yolks in a separate bowl and whisk through 200g of the caster sugar then whisk through the Demerara sugar.
- Whisk the almond meal and flour through the melted chocolate mixture then add the egg yolk/sugar and whisk it in too.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium speed to soft, stiff peaks then add the rest of the sugar and whisk just until mixed in.
- Use a whisk or rubber spatula to fold the egg whites into the rest of the batter in two batches.
- Pour the batter into the tin and bake for 45 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Leave to cool in the tin on a wire rack.
- Serve at room temperature iced with chocolate fudge icing or dusted with confectioners' sugar (or powdered sugar).
- Best made at least 24 hours ahead of serving.
Colleen Arabian says
Hi Claire, I don't cook much but this looks so delicious...the dark chocolate that you call for in the cake and frosting...is it unsweetened chocolate like baker's chocolate? Thank you....I am drooling looking at the picture! Colleen
Claire says
Hi Colleen. Dark chocolate has a higher % of cacao than milk chocolate. Look for anything above 60%.
shannon says
Made this cake for a royal wedding party i had last night - so, so good! Paired it with the icing you mentioned from the mud cake and it was amazing :)
Claire says
Oh that would have been so good!
karen says
How do I convert your recipe into cups and or ounces of ingredients?
Claire says
Hi Karen. That's a bit of a tricky question because different ingredients have different weights. There is a general guide here https://www.convert-me.com/en/convert/cooking/
Leona says
Dear Claire
Could you also use your flour less chocolate cake recipe to make cup cakes?
Regards Leona
Claire says
Sure could Leona. I would start checking on them at about the 25-30 minute mark.
Kate says
Thanks so much for putting this up.
I am a baker so i wanted to make my own wedding cake instead of buying one. I have been tweaking a recipe and was getting close to this but you have saved me lots more recipe testing :)
Claire says
You're very welcome Kate. How wonderful to make your own cake. I hope your wedding is everything you dreamed of. Happy baking! ps if you would be happy to I'd love you to share a photo of the cake on my Facebook page.
molly kelly says
MY PLEASURE!!!!! xxxx
Claire says
xxx
Amy says
This looks and sounds delicious! You've called it a flourless cake but you have flour in the recipe. Is this suppose to be gluten free flour or rice flour instead? Just curious.
Claire says
Hi Amy. Can I blame baby brain? I've just updated it. Should be gluten free flour but yes I think you could use more almond meal instead.
Amy says
You most certainly can blame baby brain. Little Oliver is just beautiful, hope you're adjusting to life as a mum ok!
Claire says
Thanks Amy. I am. The first few weeks were a bit rough but we're settling in now and just loving it!
celia says
29! Still so young, Claire! :) Sounds like the perfect cake to celebrate with - hope it was a wonderful day for you! xxx
Claire says
Nearly 30! It was thank you Celia x
Kathy says
Hi Claire,
Quick question, I am gluten free but the recipe calls for flour - can you subsitute more almond flour for that flour or do you need to use a gluten free flour mix? Thanks for your help.
Sure looks like a wonderful birthday cake - I remember finding out I was pregnant for the first time on my 30th birthday and that made the day quite special.
Happy Birthday to you!
Kathy
Claire says
Hi Kathy. I'm blaming baby brain! I've updated it to gluten-free flour but I think you could just use more almond meal instead.
Wow what a Birthday present! Thank you!
Hotly Spiced says
When my Archie was born they had that thing where you got to go out one night for meal while they looked after your baby. I remember going out and feeling like all I wanted to do was crawl into bed. What a delicious looking chocolate cake and how amazing that the recipe you have always coveted became available at such an opportune time xx
Claire says
That's exactly what mum got. I don't think I would have wanted to take them up on that offer! x
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I haven't had a favourite birthday cake since I was a kid. I think that was the last time I had a birthday cake. :) How cool that your favourite cake was in the paper. I'm eager to make it and maybe I'll have a fave too!
Pass on my happy birthday to your beautiful mother.
Claire says
Maureen I can't believe you haven't had a Birthday cake since then!!! Thank you I will x
Kirsty @ The Natural Foodie says
This sounds so decadent! Exactly what a birthday (or two) calls for. Happy birthday to you and your Mum, Claire. x
Claire says
Thanks Celia x