finding time for cooking

for the time-starved or curious culinary adventurer

  • Recipes By Type
    • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Goodies
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes & Veggies
    • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
    • Snacks
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
    • Best Cocktail Gifts: For the At-Home Bartender or Mixologist
  • Foods I’m Obsessed With
    • 30 Minutes or Less…for the Time-Challenged Cook
    • What Bread To Make (Based on Your Time)
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Super Healthy
    • Cooking for One
    • Soup
    • Unleavened Bread Recipes
  • About Me
    • Get In Touch!
    • How-Tos
    • Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With
    • Recipes Index
    • Food and Travel—Two of My Favorite Things
    • Bunion Surgery Recovery Tips

A Flourless Chocolate Cake…That’s NOT Too Sweet Or Rich

May 5, 2019

This is a story of me falling in love with something I’ve spent my whole adult life telling people I don’t like.  That most cliche of fancy restaurant dessert menu features—the flourless chocolate cake.

I’ve always found flourless chocolate cakes FAR too rich and sweet…like eating fudge.  No complexity, no real textural interest, just nauseating sweetness.  But as I tried to figure out a dessert to make for our Night to Be Much Observed (Passover) meal this year that was also gluten-free, I decided it was my best option for a crowd, even if I didn’t love it myself.

Easy gluten-free chocolate cake, flourless, dark chocolate

But *this* recipe totally won me over.  I used dark chocolate (around 72% cacao), went a little scant on the sugar, and added a dash of orange extract to deepen the flavors a bit.  The result is a more bittersweet chocolate flavor that’s interesting not cloying, and a nice kind of crackly exterior rather than just pure fudge.

dark chocolate flourless chocolate cake, gluten-free

And I haven’t even told you the best part—it only takes 10-15 minutes to whip up, and then less than a half hour to bake.  It’s such a low-maintenance dessert that feels so fancy, now I get why restaurants the world over insist on featuring it!

I also made this apricot almond lemon mascarpone tart…the two complemented each other nicely!

Preheat your oven to 375°F and butter an 8-inch non-stick round baking pan.  Line the bottom with a round of parchment paper.

In a heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan of barely-simmering water, chop or break the chocolate into small pieces and toss into the bowl.  Add the butter, and melt the chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth.

Remove the bowl from the heat and whisk the sugar into chocolate mixture.

Make sure the mixture isn’t too hot (it shouldn’t be by now), then add the eggs and whisk well.  Sift the cocoa powder into the mixture and whisk until just combined.

Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes, or until top has formed a thin crust and a skewer comes out mostly clean (a little goo is fine).

Cool the cake in the pan on a rack for 5 minutes, invert onto a serving plate (I prefer to turn it back right side up).

Dust with powdered sugar or cocoa powder for serving, and you can add mint or fresh fruit and whipped cream as well.

flourless chocolate cake that's not too rich

The cake can be kept for up to a week in an airtight container once it’s completely cool.  But if this amazing flourless chocolate cake lasts that long…you’re doing something wrong 🙂

Some of my other gluten-free favorites:

  • Chocolate Cinnamon Almond Loaf
  • Almond Pavlova with Balsamic Berries & Whipped Cream
  • Chocolate Quinoa Cake with Chocolate Ganache
  • Chocolate Financiers
  • The Best Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes (also unleavened)

Not-Too-Sweet Flourless Chocolate Cake (gluten-free)

I used these stencils and this duster to make the pattern on top of the cake

  • 4 ounces of fine-quality dark or bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
  • 1 stick of unsalted butter
  • A scant 3/4 cup of sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • Heaping 1/4 cup of quality unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Optional:  a splash of vanilla extract and a splash of orange extract or similar

Preheat your oven to 375°F and butter an 8-inch non-stick round baking pan.  Line the bottom with a round of parchment paper.

In a heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan of barely-simmering water, chop or break the chocolate into small pieces and toss into the bowl.  Add the butter, and melt the chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth.

Remove the bowl from the heat and whisk the sugar into chocolate mixture.  Make sure the mixture isn’t too hot (it shouldn’t be by now), then add the eggs and whisk well.   Sift the cocoa powder into the mixture and whisk until just combined.

Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes, or until top has formed a thin crust and a skewer comes out mostly clean (a little goo is fine).

Cool the cake in the pan on a rack for 5 minutes, invert onto a serving plate (I prefer to turn it back right side up).  Dust with powdered sugar or cocoa powder for serving, and you can add mint or fresh fruit and whipped cream as well.  The cake can be kept for up to a week in an airtight container once it’s completely cool.

Adapted slightly from Epicurious

Pin this for later!

Amazing, Easy, Not-Too-Sweet Flourless Chocolate Cake (gluten-free) | This delicious and fancy dessert is super easy, a gluten-free and flourless dessert for Passover or the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Desserts, Foods I'm Obsessed With, Gluten-Free Recipes

« Lemon Almond Apricot Mascarpone Tart
Small-Batch Traditional Wholemeal Irish Soda Bread »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I created this blog for people who love cooking & baking but are challenged to find the time and energy to do it. Recipes run the gamut from super healthy to indulgent, but the focus is on using REAL food no matter what.

Follow Along!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent IG Adventures!

This adult take on a cherry lemonade (with gin, my This adult take on a cherry lemonade (with gin, my true love) is so delicious and refreshing…and has a secret ingredient to get that intense cherry flavor! 

Get the recipe by tapping on the link in my IG bio and choosing this pic—> @findingtimeforcooking 
#cocktailrecipes #sanguemorlacco #cherrylemonade #gincocktails
I am OBSESSED with key lime pie, and never knew ho I am OBSESSED with key lime pie, and never knew how easy it is to make at home! This is the best key lime pie recipe around, a perfect balance of tart & sweet, the creamiest custardy filling, and a sweet, buttery graham cracker crust 😍 

Get the recipe yourself by tapping the link in my IG bio & choosing this photo —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#keylimepie #keylime #easydessert #classicdessert
Looking for a new healthy go-to dish?? This “loa Looking for a new healthy go-to dish?? This “loaded” Thai chicken salad only takes 15 minutes to whip up and is packed with veggies, texture, & flavor! What really makes the dish is the sweet-spicy-savory dressing… *chefs kiss* 

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to see the recipe!
#healthyrecipes #thaiflavors #healthydinner #cabbagerecipe
These super easy jam & goat cheese phyllo cups mad These super easy jam & goat cheese phyllo cups made the perfect fancy appetizer for Night To Be…and they’re ready in just 15-ish minutes! 

Tap the link in my bio & click this photo to see the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#appetizers #phyllodough #goatcheese #easyrecipes
This crazy easy orange curd is the perfect balance This crazy easy orange curd is the perfect balance of sweet, tart, & just a hint of floral…and only takes 5-10 minutes to make! Perfect heaped on crepes, cakes, and more 💕

Tap the link in my bio & click on this photo to see the recipe —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#citrusfruit #orangecurd #glutenfree #cookingtips
Two kitchen hacks for the price of one!!! 🎉🐓 Two kitchen hacks for the price of one!!! 🎉🐓 How to make the easiest, juiciest (hands-off) poached chicken breasts, & then how to shred chicken in 10 seconds. YES, you read that right!! These two techniques combined have been a mainstay for me lately, critical in helping me have something healthy and fast around at all times. 

Check out my Reel in the feed as well, & click on the link in my bio then tap this pic to get the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#kitchenhacks #cookinghealthy #cookinghacks #shreddedchicken
I’m ready for the amaretto sour to make a comeba I’m ready for the amaretto sour to make a comeback! And this recipe (including bourbon) is just the ticket…a little sweet, a little bitter, and a little boozy. 

Tap the link in my IG bio then tap this photo to see the (super easy) recipe —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#amaretto #easycocktails #amarettosour #homebartender
These delicious spicy unleavened cheese straws are These delicious spicy unleavened cheese straws are my favorite new recipe for the Days of Unleavened Bread! They’re super easy, can be frozen before or after baking (make ahead!) and honestly would make an awesome appetizer any time of year. 

Tap the link in my IG bio (@findingtimeforcooking) then click on this photo to see the recipe post!
#unleavenedbread #cheeselover #appetizerideas #bakingfromscratch
The ultimate “don’t judge a book by its cover” recipe…these dark chocolate sables are maybe the best chocolate cookie ever! Complex, rich without being too sweet, melt in your mouth…and perfect for a late afternoon snack 😍 Shoutout #smittenkitchen for the recipe and reco!

Tap the link in my bio & choose this photo to see the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#bakingfromscratch #chocolatelovers #sablé #chocoholic
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Popular Posts

Small-Batch Traditional Wholemeal Irish Soda Bread

Pasta with Fresh Sweet Corn Pesto

Authentic Ligurian Trofie Pasta by Hand (with Fresh Pesto)

Easy 30-Minute Mongolian Chicken

Healthy Peach Crisp With Blueberries

Recent Posts

  • Cherry & Lemon Gin Cocktail…a.k.a. Cher…
  • The (IMO) Best Homemade Key Lime Pie
  • Super Easy & Healthy “Loaded” Tha…

Categories

  • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
  • Bread Recipes
  • Breakfast Goodies
  • Cooking for One
  • Desserts
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
  • Eating Out
  • Family Secret Recipes
  • Food-Related Miscellany
  • Foods I'm Obsessed With
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Go-To Recipes
  • How-Tos
  • Kitchen Gear
  • Main Dishes
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Recipe Experimentation
  • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
  • Side Dishes & Veggies
  • Snacks
  • Soup
  • Super Healthy
  • Travel and Food

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

Copyright & Terms of Use

Copyright 2022 Finding Time For Cooking

20 shares