Best Flourless Chocolate Cake

It’s easy. It’s fudgy. It’s dreamy. Basically, a chocolate lover’s paradise.

Ever since I was a little kid, chocolate has been my love language. But let’s be real…making a traditional chocolate cake can feel like a serious commitment. That’s why I created this flourless chocolate cake recipe: rich, intensely chocolatey, with a gooey, almost molten center when warm, and a truffle-like texture when chilled. It’s the kind of cake that looks straight out of a magazine, but only you’ll know how effortless it was to make.

And if you want to keep the chocolate party going, don’t miss my Easy Chocolate Truffles, Chocolate Pots de Crème, and Homemade Hot Chocolate!

Why You’ll Love This Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

• Super fudgy texture
• Intense chocolate flavor
• Only 20 minutes of active time to make
• Gluten-free
• Endless topping ideas

Ingredients

You won’t need flour…just a handful of ingredients you probably have on-hand! Here’s what you need for the best flourless chocolate cake:

• Semisweet chocolate – good-quality chocolate = great flourless chocolate cake. Look for baking bars instead of chocolate chips for the best results. While you can use bittersweet chocolate, I find semisweet offers the perfect balance when used alongside unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Granulated sugar – sugar is not only important to sweeten things up, but it provides structure when whipped into the eggs, since there’s no flour to provide structure!
• Unsalted butter – butter adds richness and that signature dense, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Dutch-processed cocoa powder – look for “Dutch-processed” cocoa powder that gives a smoother, deeper chocolate flavor than natural cocoa powder. But you can use natural cocoa powder if preferred.
• Large eggs – eggs add structure, which are especially important since we aren’t using flour.
• Vanilla extract – vanilla extract enhances and rounds out the chocolate flavor.
• Instant espresso powder (optional) – while optional, I highly recommend adding a pinch of instant espresso powder that intensifies the chocolate!
• Salt – salt enhances flavor.

How to Make Flourless Chocolate Cake

You’re going to freak out at how good this cake is, and how easy it is to make! Here are the steps; for the full recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8” round cake pan well and line the bottom with parchment. Grease the parchment and lightly dust bottom and sides with cocoa.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, melt chocolate, butter, and espresso in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each until smooth.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk the sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt for 45 seconds.

Step 4: Add cocoa powder and whisk until smooth.

Step 5: Add chocolate mixture and fold until combined.

Step 6: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing into an even layer. Bake for 21–25 minutes, until the center is just set.

Step 7: Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 45 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen, then flip onto rack, peel off parchment, and gently flip back over.

Step 8: If serving immediately, the center will be gooey and soft. For a denser cake, chill for 1–2 hours before serving.

Serving Ideas and Toppings

My favorite way to serve flourless chocolate cake is simply with a dusting of powdered sugar and raspberries! It’s *chef’s kiss*! Here are a bunch of other amazing ways to serve it:

• Dusting of powdered sugar
• Fresh raspberries or strawberries and mint sprigs
• Homemade Strawberry Preserves
• Homemade Whipped Cream
• Crème fraiche or mascarpone
• Vanilla ice cream
• Chocolate ganache
• Salted caramel drizzle
• Candied Pecans
• Cacao nibs
• Toasted coconut
• Orange zest
• Flaky salt

Make Ahead and Storage

Make ahead: flourless chocolate cake keeps well for 4-5 days in the fridge, covered tightly after it’s cooled completely, or up to 2 days at room temperature, covered tightly.

To freeze: after it’s cooled completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

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If you’ve tried this Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you are here!