Last Sunday my mum turned 50. Wait, is divulging such a statistic bad etiquette? I never know with these things, but I digress. Since she knows I’m attempting to save every penny possible, she asked me to bake her and her friends a delicious cake in lieu of a gift. Apparently it went down rather well; the slice I had certainly did. This is hardly surprising, since the label “gluten-free” suits chocolate so well. Indeed, I first discovered this after making my most recent batch of brownies. This must be because the lack of flour goes some way towards preserving one of the fundamental qualities of chocolate – its smoothness. As we all know, taste isn’t the only important consideration when buying chocolate; it should also be smooth and seductive to the tongue.
This great, simple recipe is an amalgam of a number of ideas drawn from across the web, though it is ultimately my own. The most important step down the road of gluten-free perfection, appeared to be the separation of the eggs. Doing so allows one to give the cake all the richness of the yolks, while allowing the whites to reach their potential elsewhere. Indeed, the whites give the cake such a heavenly texture and structure, without removing the fundamental smoothness of the chocolate – something which flour finds it hard to accomplish. As such, this is one of the best chocolate cakes I have ever eaten and you simply must sample it, if not devour it. If you find a gluten free bakery in your area, you may ask if they also offer gluten-free chocolate cakes.
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Makes 1 nine-inch cake
Ingredients:
• 160g butter
• 230g dark chocolate, 50-70% cocoa
• 6 eggs
• 100g caster sugar
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 130C and grease-proof a 9 inch cake pan. Begin melting the butter in a heavy based saucepan, before adding the thinly sliced chocolate. Whisk the egg yolks in gradually.
2. Beat the egg whites in a large bowl until peaks begin to form. Add the sugar and continue to beat until the peaks are a little firmer. Fold this mixture into the chocolate mixture until well mixed, take care not to knock any of the air out. Pour the batter into the cake tin, smooth and bake for around 50 minutes. It’s ready once the middle in just set; it should still have a little wobble.
Cost: This recipe is, as you can see, extremely simple. As such, it is very cheap – particularly if one keeps one’s own hens. However, for those of you who have neither chickens nor a cocoa plantation and processing facility, the cost of this cake should be around £2.70. Though, this will also depend on how cheap chocolate of a reasonable quality is where you live.
111 replies on “Flourless (Gluten Free) Chocolate Cake”
WOW this looks fantastic. i am going to have to give this a go!!!
Thanks. Yes you are, you can’t resist.
Hello from Australia… Your version of flourless chocolate cake looks heavenly. I have been on the hunt for ‘the’ flourless choc recipe for years and haven’t found love yet. I will definitely give this a whirl. I love your blog – I’m on a mission to get back to basics and to spend considerably less money on indulging my cooking and eating obsession this year as I’m back to uni full time. Keep it up!
Hello! Thanks! You should definitely try it. Yes, you should return regularly 😀
I make a similar one with the addition of Nutella to the mix that gives it an even more dense texture… it certainly went down well on New Year’s Eve with a glass of Mas Amiel Vintage Maury!
Oh that sounds lovely!
There’s nothing quite so heavenly as waking up to a gorgeous photo of chocolate cake first thing in the morning — except eating it! Thank you!
I think I agree with you 😀
I have all these ingredients in my cupboard and a strong urge to bake…off I go! Thanks for sharing, looks delicious.
Ahha. I hope it went/goes well!
Looks delicious, and £2.70 is a bargain!
Oh yes, it is. Perhaps I could do it a little cheaper though. It did cost me a fair bit less since I keep chickens.
Yes, it was certainly rude to reveal your Mum’s age:(! That would not go over well with me!
What a great recipe; I’m impressed that you beat the egg whites by hand!
I usually buy the chocolate when it’s on sale, right after Christmas is a great time since the grocers stock up for holiday baking! Have you tried doing these in individual ramekins? That way you can bake the cake about 90% and the centre remains gooey! So yum with a few berries on top!
Woos! Oh well. I like feeling the pain of every single step :D. That’s a really good idea with the chocolate. That’s a great ramekin idea too, you’re full of them!
Wonderful! I’ve never seen a cake rise this much without flour, etc, and so simple with only four ingredients!
Really? Thanks! I was surprised it only had four ingredients myself.
This looks incredible! Adding it to the list of recipes to try. Happy Birthday to your mom.
I’m glad you approve!
Absolutely agreed, flourless chocolate cake is one of the best desserts ever. And so superior to normal chocolate cake, even though you can’t ice it. Yours looks awesome. Yum.
I’m glad you do. You could ganache it though!
Looks yummy! I make a very similar “cake” with bittersweet chocolate. It is so dense it is almost fudgy. Unbelievably delicious and smooth.
That sounds great. I shall have to try an even denser version.
that looks yummy… I look forward to trying!
Please do, you won’t regret it!
I can’t wait to try this. I calculate it will cost $4.50-$5.00 US depending on cost of chocolate. I think I will add a dollop of whipped cream just to guild the lilly.
Oh, that’s not too bad. That’s perhaps even a little less than it would be here. OH yes, cream is a fantastic addition.
This looks awesome!
It’s probably my favourite ever chocolate cake.
This looks wonderful. I’m always amazed at how good flourless chocolate cakes are.
Thanks! They are usually wonderful, the taste comes through so much better.
Looks delicious! Happy birthday to your mom!
Thanks!
You’re so right that chocolate suits itself perfectly to flourless desserts. And a few simple, well-chosen ingredients have resulted in a gorgeous birthday gift for your mum! Nicely done Frugal!
Thanks, Spree. This recipe works soooo well.
My sister would love this! I have never seen such a fluffy gluten-free cake
Thanks! You should bake it for her 😀
I’d like nothing more than to go swimming in that chocolate batter. Messy, oui. Worth it, OUI.
-Taissa
Blimey. You’d better make a lot of it then.
I’m not gluten-free, but I feel chocolate cake is at it’s peak when flourless. You should try 101 Cookbooks No Bake Chocolate Cake (can search it on her blog.
I made it over the summer and it was divine!
I’m not gluten free either. I shall look it up!
This is one I have to make…sounds fab!
Oh yes, you should, it was absolutely fabulous!
Lovely, I am hungry for cake now, 10:19am, darn…
That’s acceptable!
YUM!!! =)
I think I know what I’m going to be making this evening!! Looks delicious.
Please, let me know how it went!
This looks great! I love your blog and nominated you for a Liebster Blog Award: http://flowercityfoodie.com/2012/01/12/and-the-award-goes-to/
Congratulations!
Thanks so much! I love getting awards.
It looks truly delicious!!! 🙂
Thanks, it’s looks are not deceiving.
This looks so good!
thanks, Rita. I thought so too!
This cake looks amazingly delicious and is ridiculously simple to make. Happy birthday to your mum! (she’s so young!)
Thanks! Is she young? Haha. The cake is really simple to make.
Gorgeous chocolate cake. I’ve never done a flourless chocolate cake but that needs to be remedied soon!
Thanks! Yes, it does. You simply have to try it – my version, or your own!
I LOVE chocolate.. and I absolutely love this flourless chocolate cake recipe. I can’t wait to give it a whirl.
Oh me too… who doesn’t? I hope it goes to plan 🙂
There’s my cake, i knew it was around here somewhere! LOVE this.. will make this for sure! c
Awesome, enjoy it Cecilia!
That very last picture looks especially exquisite – I’m sure no one who takes a bite would have any idea how inexpensive it is to make!
Thanks! That’s the point 🙂
Bravo! See, I’ve been telling people for quite some time now, there really is no need for gluten. 🙂
Thanks! Well, I agree to a certain extent… there sort of is in bread :D. But I agree in that there’s no need to eaten gluten for the sake of it, especially when leaving it out makes something better.
Will be making this soon as I’m always looking for good gluten-free recipes. It looks mouth-wateringly delicious!
Awesome, I loved this recipe.
That is so pretty! <3
Thanks, Kat. I thought so too.
Mmm…chocolate. Can’t wait to try this…looks wonderful 🙂
Thanks! Please do, you won’t regret it at all.
I often find chocolate cakes with flour are way too heavy so I love recipes like these.
I agree, this also concentrates the chocolate flavour.
mmmm… wow! Love that it’s gluten free.
What a beautiful thing to do for your mother 🙂
Yes, I suppose it was :D.
Oh this looks incredible!
I’m laughing about how having our own cocoa plantation and processing facility could save us money…somehow I imagine the hens are a bit more attainable and lower maintenance 🙂
Thanks! Hens are a little more attainable perhaps…
This looks amazing, gooey and rich and everything I love in a chocolate dessert. Happy belated birthday to your mum too!
This looks to die for! Yum! I think I need chocolate right now.
Oh it is, so be careful.
Oh. My…. butter, chocolate, eggs, sugar. Yea, that’s some cake. Or a heart attack in a tin (in a good way!). Very smart the way you use the air in the whipped egg whites to give it some texture.
So all I need now is my own cocoa plantation. No problemo!
It’s quite light really. Yes, the whites really act (sort of) as the flour. Yeh, everyone should have their own.
It looks great – looking at it I’d never believe it didn’t have flour in! I always love chocolate cakes though.
Thanks! Chocolate cakes are lovely, I just think gluten free ones are better 😀
This cakes looks rich but amazing!!! a few simple ingredients and bonus that it’s gluten free too
Thanks! It was absolutely delicious. Gluten free really is just a by-product 😀
That does look better than most floury chocolate cakes! Sounds really moist too, I am powerless to resist!
Thanks! In my opinion, it is. give it a try 🙂
Yeah so, my birthday is in November and you can just make me this too 🙂
Well, I don’t know about that :D. You could make it for you 🙂
looks fantastic!!!!! Will be calling in an order when I turn 50…except that I might not be telling anyone when I turn 50…
Thanks! Hmm, well it’s up to you. I think it’s worth it 😀
[…] But if you’re after chocolate-y gluten free goodness then why not check out this recipe for Flourless (gluten free) chocolate cake from Frugal Feeding. OMG. That’s all I have to […]
I always think the fewer ingredients the better, and this looks amazing! I’ll have to figure out how to convert the measurements and try it.
Absolutely – the fewer ingredients, the more it’ll taste like chocolate i.e. how it’s supposed to.
This looks absolutely mouth watering. I don’t think I’ve tried a flourless cake before.
Thanks! You simply must!
Gotta love a gluten free chocolate cake recipe, it’s just delish. Even if you’re not gluten intolerant it is oh so indulgent. one for the baking books i feel! x
Oh yes, I think chocolate is better without gluten, the taste comes through more. I do hope you try it.
I am making these right now! Thanks!!
Awesome. I hope they went well.
Looks delicious! I’ve never made a cake without flour but think I’m going to have to try this one.
Thanks! You should, it works rather well.
This sounds delicious and the pictures are very promising!
Yes! You should make it 🙂
A divine & very chocolately cake! Just gorgous !!!
Thanks, Sophie! It is my favourite chocolate cake.
THANK YOU THANK YOU! Gluten free baking is proving to be very difficult for me….this looks amazing and can’t wait to try it! Could you also post the brownie recipe?
No problem! Enjoy it! Just search for it in the recipe index! However, I’ll get round to it soon, just for you!
A four-ingredient gluten free chocolate cake! Can’t get better than that! I have ten more days to make the perfect flourless chocolate cake for my husband’s birthday – this will definitely serve as inspiration! Thank you!
Do you use a fan setting when baking the cake? Thanks for sharing! I love a good chocolate cake!!!