This Best Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe is a gluten-free dessert for serious chocolate lovers. It’s made with only 7 ingredients and is a delicious & elegant make-ahead treat for any special occasion! Watch the video and follow our step-by-step instructions to ensure it turns our perfectly!
When people say that a dessert is “too fudgy” or “too chocolatey” I never, ever understand what they mean. I just say, “Umm, well then pass it over here!”
This Flourless Chocolate Cake is truly a show-stopper. It has been one of my most requested recipes for years. This cake is pure chocolatey & fudgy goodness, and is a gluten-free dessert for serious chocolate lovers, (just like these flourless brownies)!
It’s made with only 7 ingredients and is the perfect make-ahead dessert for a special occasion! Serve it with homemade whipped cream for an extra special touch!
How to make Flourless Chocolate Cake
This recipe consists of a few simple ingredients which come together beautifully to make a truly special dessert. Here is the process step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video!
Dissolve sugar & salt in water
The first step in this flourless chocolate cake recipe is combining the water, sugar and salt and heating it until the sugar and salt are dissolved.
Be sure not to let the water boil, and whisk every minute or so to help speed up the dissolving process. After the mixture is clear, remove it from the heat and let it cool a little bit as you make the rest of the recipe.
Prepare the cake pan
Be sure to line your cake pan with parchment paper for easy removal. I trace the bottom of the cake pan on a piece of parchment paper, and add “handles” (see photo below) for a perfect fit. Then grease the pan with a non-stick spray, butter, shortening, etc.
Melt Chocolate
In the microwave or in a double boiler melt the chocolate until it’s smooth and glossy. Transfer it to the bowl of a standing mixer. You can also use a hand-held mixer to beat the ingredients together!
Add Butter
Add butter 1 TBS at a time to the warm chocolate mixture, beating after each addition. It’s ok if it doesn’t fully melt, because the addition of the warm sugar water will do that. But it should get close!
Add warm sugar water
Next, add the slightly cooled (but still warm) sugar water to the mixture and beat on low/medium speed until the mixture is smooth.
Add eggs & vanilla
Next, add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Then add vanilla and beat until just combined.
Pour cake into pan & prepare water bath
To make the water bath I recommend following these steps:
- Place the pan you will be adding the water to into the oven
- Put the cake pan in that pan
- Pour boiling water into the bottom pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Be extremely careful not to get any water into the cake pan.
I recommend this order so you do not have to worry about transferring the pan filled with water into the oven!
Bake the Flourless chocolate Cake in a water bath!
Bake the flourless chocolate cake in a water bath! In order to ensure that no water leaks into the cake, I recommend baking it in a pan that has no seems (e.g. I do NOT use a springform pan)…which makes it a bit trickier to remove…but a little parchment paper and a good amount of greasing and you’ll be OK!
Why do you bake flourless chocolate cake in a water bath? (How does a water bath work)?
1. A water bath helps maintain a constant temperature.
Now it’s time for another chemistry lesson (because I majored in chemistry in college, and then I was a chemistry teacher before I had kids)! Do you know why it’s beneficial to bake certain treats in a water bath? Water has a high “heat capacity,” which is the amount of heat needed to increase the temperature of an object by 1 degree Celsius.
The heat capacity of an object depends on the chemical makeup and mass of the substance. If an object has a higher heat capacity, it takes longer for its temperature to change. For example, aluminum has a heat capacity of 0.90 J/goC, while water has a heat capacity of 4.18 J/goC. This means that aluminum’s temperature will fluctuate with its surroundings over 4x faster than water.
So, how does this apply to baking? (Right, not all of you are chemistry nerds like me)! If you bake something in a water bath it helps maintain a constant temperature.
Once the water reaches a warm temperature, if anything causes your oven to shift in temperature at all (e.g. you open the door to check the cake), the water bath will hold that temperature without changing.
2. Indirect source of heat = even baking
A water bath also delivers a more indirect source of heat to the flourless chocolate cake! This translates to a more evenly baked Flourless Chocolate Truffle Cake
3. A water bath adds moisture.
A water bath also adds moisture to the oven, keeping the flourless chocolate cake from drying out or cracking!
How do you know when flourless chocolate cake is done?
This flourless chocolate cake is done when the top and edges look set and it is only slightly jiggly. The 45 minute baking time is pretty exact as long as you use a 9″ round cake pan. If you use an 8″ round pan I suggest baking for 50-55 minutes.
Chill the flourless chocolate cake
Something important to note about this Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe is that it needs to chill for a while. I usually make it the day before and let it chill overnight. The absolute minimum amount of chilling time is 6 hours.
Make-Ahead Dessert!
I love the fact that this recipe is best when served the next day! This means you can make it ahead and free yourself up to be able to focus on cooking other dishes the day of a special celebration or get together!
Serve!
After the cake has chilled, cut it into pieces and serve. I recommend removing it from the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before serving to soften up a little! Here are some serving suggestions:
- Add a dollop of homemade whipped cream or strawberry whipped cream on top!
- Put fresh berries on the side
- Drizzle some homemade strawberry sauce on top.
Flourless Chocolate Cake: Ingredients & Substitutions
I can honestly say I do NOT recommend making any substitutions in this recipe. It is absolute perfection as-is. But if you must, here are a few possible options.
- Chocolate. Listen up folks, the cake will be as good as the quality of chocolate used. My top choices in this recipe are Ghirardelli 60% dark chocolate or any other high-quality variety. The darker chocolate used, the richer the cake will taste.
- Butter. I always use salted butter in baking, but you can use unsalted as well with great results! To make this cake dairy-free, a vegan butter substitute, like Earth’s Balance, can be used.
- Granulated sugar. Regular granulated sugar or organic cane sugar both work really well in this flourless chocolate cake recipe.
- Sea salt. I recommend using pure, fine sea salt. If you use table salt (iodized salt), you may need to use less.
More Chocolate Desserts
I take my chocolate dessert making seriously! Here are some of my favorite desserts for serious chocolate lovers:
- These molten chocolate lava cakes are SO easy but look elegant (like you spent hours in the kitchen)!
- I am a sucker for fudgy brownies, like these flourless brownies or my classic brownie recipe.
- If you love chocolate and peanut butter, you have to make this puppy chow recipe and this chocolate peanut butter fondue!
- These Double Chocolate Chip Cookies have three different forms of chocolate!
- And of course, or recipe for the best ever chocolate chip cookies!
- For an easy and irresistible dessert, try this Skillet Cookie (Pizookie) recipe! It’s like eating warm cookie dough and it comes together in 20 minutes flat!
- This chocolate zucchini cake with a fudgy chocolate ganache is a must-make!
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Flourless Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 18 oz (2 ¼ cups) bittersweet chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)*
- 1 cup salted butter, room temperature
- 6 eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Grease one 9” round cake pan (or glass pie plate) and set aside. (Note: I always cut a piece of parchment paper into a circle with “handles” and place it on the bottom of the pan. Then I grease the pan with the parchment paper in it).
- In a small saucepan over medium heat combine the water, salt and sugar. Whisk every 60 seconds until completely dissolved and set aside.
- Melt the chocolate chips (in the microwave or in a double boiler) and pour into the bowl of a standing mixer.
- Cut the butter into 1 TBS pieces and beat it into the chocolate, 1 piece at a time.
- Mix in the warm sugar/water mixture until combined.
- Slowly beat in the eggs, one at a time until completely smooth.
- Add vanilla and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Put the cake pan in a larger pan and fill the larger pan with boiling water until it reaches halfway up the sides of your cake pan. Be very careful not to get water into the cake! I like to put the pan with the cake in it on the oven rack before pouring the water. That way I just have to slide it in and close the door!
- Bake cake in the water bath at 300 degrees F for 45 minutes. The center will still look wet, but the edge will look done.
- Remove the cake from the water bath and let it cool on a wire rack.
- Chill cake overnight (or for at least 6 hours) in the pan!
- Carefully lift the parchment paper out of the pan and the cake with it. Put it on a serving plate and sprinkle with powdered sugar! Serve with fresh berries, ice cream, etc!
Video
Notes
Note about pan size:
The size of the pan used will effect baking times:- 9" cake pan - bake for 45 minutes.
- 8" cake pan (must be 3" deep) - bake for 50 minutes
- Individual ramekins - bake 25 minutes
Nutrition
This is my kind of birthday dessert, since I am not a traditional cake person! Or I might request fudgy brownies with peanut butter frosting! 🙂
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Lauri
Hello! Would this work to bake in a cast iron pan? sans water bath?
Jacob Gittens
Oh my! My girlfriend said she wanted a choclate cake with whipped cream and strawberries. This was my first time really baking. I’ve done cookies (horribly mind youz) and things like that. This to me was my first bake. CAME OUT AMAZING. Made my own homemade whipped cream(first time as well) I showed a friend at work. HE WANTS ME TO BAKE HIM 2 for his daughters bday! Amazing recipe. I’m tagging you in my Instagram pic right now! Thank you!
Laura
WOO HOO! I’m so glad you brought your girlfriend some chocolate joy! Definitely tag me! Can’t wait to see it!
Laura
Yea I have the same quest. about the whole fridge thing.
Laura
The video made my mouth water!!!! I was like mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laura
Also this is not the actual Laura that made zzee recipies my name is just the same!
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lynn Hammer
Made this last night for my wife’s birthday. It was amazing. I didn’t quite have enough semi-sweet chocolate, so I used a small amount of milk chocolate. It came out perfect. So light for a flourless cake. The texture is like the best part of a chocolate truffle. Thank you for sharing this.
Emily
Can i double this recipe? And if so will it fit well in a 10.5 inch spring form pan?!
Laura
Hello! If you double the recipe I recommend baking it in two separate pans.
Lynn
Can you make this cake with a sugar substitute for diabetics?
Cheryl in NC
Absolutely wonderful, easy to make (except for the Bain Marie, lol) and the first flourless chocolate cake I’ve made whose texture even approaches my favorite (found only at Earthfair in NC)! So dense, so creamy, so fudgy, SO delicious! Thank you so much!
Btw, altho’ I haven’t tried this substitution yet, I was thinking how easy it would be to substitute a little coffee, liquor or liqueur for some of the water…or even add some spices to this recipe, yes? Mmmmm!
Steph
Hello! Thanks for this recipe, I’ve just made it and it looks great! (Cooling now, so can’t comment yet on the taste, but can’t wait 🙂 )
I was just wondering how long it will keep in the fridge? It looks quite rich, so I doubt we’ll get through the whole thing at my event tomorrow…
Thanks for your help!
Laura
Yea I have the same quest. about the whole fridge thing.
Jean
can I use a spring form pan? I have milk chocolate, will that work?? First time wanting to make this for Christmas dessert.
jess Thomas
it IS dense… but tasty and everyone liked it. the idea for the handles was great so i didnt need to turn the pan over to get it out and risk breaking the chilled cake. all my gluten free people lived it, so much so they asked for leftovers!
Jan
Absolutely loved these. I took them to a quilt guild party and then to a church function. Everybody loved them. My batter did not look like the batter in the pictures. Mine was runnier; not sure why, but it turned out fine. I bought the chocolate that was recommended in the recipe, but it did not measure 2 1/4 Cups so I added some other semi sweet chips I had on hand and it worked out great. I also added a cream cheese frosting and cut the cake into 2 in. bars because they were so rich. Thanks for the rcipe.
Jenn
Ugh. Any suggestions if some of the water got on top as I pushed it into the oven? I tried to soak it up with a paper towel but I’m discouraged. It’s baking now. Fingers crossed.
Laura
Hey Jenn! I have had this happen to me too. If you soak up as much as you can with the paper towel it should still be OK. How did it end up turning out?
Jenn
I did it again taking it out, lol. New oven = pans don’t slide very smoothly. It was delicious nevertheless. One of our daughters said that she’s going to ask for it for her birthday rather than my grandmother’s chocolate cake recipe. I’d say that’s a 5 star rating, ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Leslie Norton Bethell
Woah. This is seriously good.
Josephine Bateman
For a crowd can you double the recipe and what size pan do you use
Thank you, Josephine
Emily
Thats what im wondering too!
Dea
I’ve made this one a couple of times now, and I absolutely love how quick and easy it is to make. And also how it is a good ‘make ahead’ dish too. One note – don’t be lazy and try to get away without lining the pan!! I learnt from that mistake!
Arabellabb @ Arabic & Western Cuisine
Hey dear, Thanks a lot for sharing such great stuff on a delicious chocolate truffle cake recipe. You will be thrilled to hear that we have added this “FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKE RECIPE” in our cake menus at our Arabic Restaurant in Malaysia. It has got more 5-star reviews from most of the visitors who have visited our restaurant. We are very grateful to you for this fantastic recipe idea, and we are inviting you to our restaurant if you come to visit in Malaysia at any time.
Rodney Holcomb
This is one of the best chocolate recipes I have ever tasted. It is VERY rich and almost like eating fudge. It really is wonderful!
Beth
I’ve made this a couple of times and it’s fabulous! I wanted to comment, however, that you reference 18 oz. of chocolate chips equaling 2-1/4 cups. When I used Guittard chocolate chips the 11.5 oz. bag was approximately 2-1/4 cups. I assumed the cup measurement was correct and not the ounces so it worked out…and couldn’t imagine that the Ghirardelli chips were that different. Thanks!
Judy Woods
Wow, I can’t wait to try this, what would the temp. be in the center when cake is done? Thank you so much.
Steve Brodsky
I made these in to cupcakes for our Ladies Fellowship Group at church and everyone loved them! They all wanted the recipe! When I told them how I made it, they were astonished! They were so moist! This recipe is definitely a keeper!
-Steve
Elaine Wulff
This sounds delicious. How long did you end up cooking the cupcakes? And has anyone tried freezing any of the leftover cakes? Just wondering. Thanks! 😊
Laura
I would suggest checking the cupcakes around 20 minutes. I have frozen a few slices of this cake and it works well! Just be sure to let it thaw in the refrigerator and do not microwave it.
Elaine
Great recipe! As someone else said , it’s like the inside of a good chocolate truffle. However, I don’t recommend doing the cupcakes, as the water bath for my 12 hole muffin pan had to be in a roasting pan. A little unwieldy (and dangerous) to remove tin from the water when done🙄. So I did the 9” pan for a much prettier presentation, with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and strawberries on the side. Everyone loved it!
Mayada
This was so easy to make and the best flourless chocolate cake I’ve ever had! If it helps, another sight stated it is done when the internal temperature reaches 200 degrees. That has helped me when I want to make this recipe in different quantities/pans. Delish!