Rich and fudgy gluten-free flourless chocolate cake (made with hazelnut meal!) with a hint of espresso and a crackling crispy top!
It took me a while to get the proportions of this cake just right but in the end, all the trouble was totally worth it. Straight from the oven, this flourless chocolate espresso cake is light as air and intensely chocolaty with a hint of coffee flavor. That said, this cake has a whole new identity if you serve it chilled. When the cake is cold and the chocolate solidifies it takes on a fudgy truffle-like flavor and consistency. I like to serve and eat this cake both ways, room temperature or chilled. Regardless I always serve it with a shot of espresso on the side!
Hazelnut flour can be hard to find (and expensive!) feel free to substitute almond flour instead.
Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Cake Step by Step→
Fold the hazelnut/egg mixture into the melted chocolate/butter mixture.
Whip the egg whites to stiff glossy peaks!
Bake until puffed slightly and set along edges but still slightly wobbly in center, 35 to 40 minutes.
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Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Cake
Ingredients
- 8 oz dark chocolate
- 8 tbsp butter plus extra for buttering the pan
- 1 c hazelnut meal almond meal works too!
- 1 c sugar divided
- 4 eggs separated
- 6 tbsp espresso or 2 tbsp instant espresso powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and place it on a baking tray.
- Melt the butter, vanilla and espresso (or espresso powder) in a saucepan then pour it over the chocolate. Let sit for 1-2 minutes then stir with a whisk until the mixture is smooth.
- In a separate bowl whisk together the egg yolks and 1/2c sugar. Whisk until the mixture becomes thick and pale then fold in the hazelnut meal followed but the melted chocolate mixture.
- In a stand mixer beat the egg whites and remaining 1/2c of sugar on high until glossy stiff peaks form about 5 minutes. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate/yolk mixture. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake until puffed slightly and set along edges but still slightly wobbly in center, 35 to 40 minutes. LEt cool complety then slide a paring knife along the sides of the cake pan to release any bits that may be stuck then release the sides. Slice and serve with warm espresso!
This is definitely one of the best chocolate cake recipes I’ve ever made. So delicious, light and fluffy! This will be my new standard chocolate cake recipe! 😊
Hi Marianne! I’m so glad you enjoyed this cake! Thank you for your feedback. xo