Ina Garten Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

Easy Ina Garten Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe That’s Pure Magic

Flourless chocolate cake represents pure indulgence for passionate dessert lovers craving intense, velvety richness without traditional wheat-based constraints.

Rich chocolate flavors burst through each decadent bite, transforming simple ingredients into a luxurious culinary experience.

Dense and silky textures melt across your palate with remarkable smoothness, creating an unforgettable sensation.

Sophisticated dessert enthusiasts appreciate this elegant treat that celebrates chocolate profound complexity without gluten’s interference.

Sophisticated bakers understand how minimal ingredients can produce maximum gastronomic pleasure.

Delicate yet powerful, this cake transcends ordinary dessert expectations with its seductive chocolate essence.

Sophisticated techniques transform basic components into a remarkable confection that feels both sophisticated and surprisingly accessible: Get ready to elevate your baking game!

Why Ina Garten’s Flourless Chocolate Cake Is So Decadent

Why Ina Garten’s Flourless Chocolate Cake Is So Decadent
  • Indulge in Decadent Chocolate Bliss: This flourless chocolate cake delivers an intensely rich chocolate experience that melts in your mouth, satisfying even the most serious chocolate lovers with its deep, luxurious flavor.
  • Master a Surprisingly Simple Technique: Despite looking like a complicated dessert, this recipe requires minimal baking skills, making it perfect for home cooks who want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen with complex steps.
  • Create a Luxurious Gluten-Free Treat: Designed to be naturally gluten-free, this cake offers a smooth, dense texture that feels elegant and indulgent, making it an excellent option for people with dietary restrictions who don't want to compromise on taste or sophistication.
  • Elevate Your Dessert Game with Effortless Elegance: The stunning chocolate ganache finish transforms a simple cake into a restaurant-worthy dessert that looks professionally made but can be easily prepared at home with just a few quality ingredients.

Key Components for a Flourless Chocolate Cake

Cake Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender cake texture with smooth mixing properties.
  • Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cake's caramelization and structure.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients together and provides structure to the cake.
  • Chocolate Syrup: Enhances chocolate flavor and adds moisture to the cake.
  • Vanilla: Deepens overall flavor profile with its aromatic essence.
  • Flour: Creates cake's basic structure, though used sparingly in this flourless recipe.
Chocolate Ganache Ingredients:
  • Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, glossy texture for ganache coating.
  • Chocolate Chips: Primary flavor component for rich, decadent ganache.
  • Coffee: Intensifies chocolate flavor and adds depth to the ganache.
Baking Preparation Ingredients:
  • Butter (for greasing): Prevents cake from sticking to pan.
  • Parchment Paper: Ensures easy cake removal and prevents bottom from burning.
  • Flour (for dusting): Helps cake release from pan smoothly.

Baking a Flourless Cake by Ina Garten

Baking a Flourless Cake by Ina Garten

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Pan

Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with butter. Dust with flour and line the bottom with parchment paper.

Step 2: Create the Cake Base

In a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in:
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Vanilla extract

Mix until well combined.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Gently fold in flour, mixing just until blended. Avoid overmixing to prevent a tough cake texture.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

Transfer batter to the prepared pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes. The center should be slightly set when done.

Step 5: Cool the Cake

Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan at room temperature.

Step 6: Prepare Chocolate Ganache

Create a double boiler and combine:
  • Heavy cream
  • Chocolate chips
  • Coffee

Stir until smooth and warm.

Step 7: Finish and Decorate

Carefully invert the cake onto a wire rack. Pour ganache over the entire cake, tilting the rack to ensure even coverage. Let the ganache set at room temperature.

Step 8: Serve and Store

Keep the cake at room temperature until ready to serve. Do not refrigerate, as this can affect the texture and flavor.

Chef’s Hints for Perfect Flourless Chocolate Cake

Chef’s Hints for Perfect Flourless Chocolate Cake
Recipe Tips:
  • Slice Smoothly: Warm knife edges before cutting to prevent crumbling and achieve pristine cake presentation.
  • Enhance Chocolate Depth: Splash of coffee intensifies rich flavor, transforming ordinary dessert into gourmet experience.
  • Prepare in Advance: Make cake one day ahead, allowing flavors to meld and ganache to set perfectly for elegant serving.
  • Control Baking Precision: Watch center's gentle wobble when shaking, signaling ideal doneness without overcooking.
  • Select Premium Chocolate: Use dark chocolate with minimum 60% cocoa content, guaranteeing intense, luxurious taste sensation.

Safekeeping Flourless Chocolate Cake

  • Sealed Container: Lock in freshness by storing the cake in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Prevents moisture loss and protects the delicate chocolate texture from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
  • Freezer Preservation: Slice the cake into individual portions before freezing for easy grab-and-go treats. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag to maintain optimal taste and prevent freezer burn. Thaw slices in the refrigerator overnight for perfect texture restoration.
  • Counter Strategy: Enjoy the cake within 2-3 days when stored at room temperature. Place under a cake dome or loosely cover with plastic wrap, keeping it away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve its rich, decadent flavor and soft crumb.

Easy Variations on Ina Garten Flourless Cake

  • Nutty Chocolate Delight: Fold in 1/2 cup chopped almonds or pecans into the batter for added crunch and rich nutty flavor.
  • Espresso Chocolate Dream: Replace coffee in ganache with 2 tablespoons of strong espresso for deeper, more intense coffee notes.
  • Orange Chocolate Sensation: Add 1 tablespoon orange zest to the cake batter and mix a bit of orange liqueur into the ganache for bright citrus undertones.
  • Salted Caramel Chocolate Indulgence: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the ganache after covering the cake, creating a decadent layered chocolate experience.

A Note on Ina Garten Flourless Chocolate Cake

Chocolate lovers rejoice!

Ina Garten’s flourless chocolate cake emerges as pure culinary magic, promising rich indulgence with minimal effort.

Professional bakers and home enthusiasts can master this elegant dessert without complicated techniques.

Rich chocolate ganache cascades over dense, intensely flavored cake layers, creating an irresistible sensory experience.

French pastry techniques blend seamlessly with simple ingredients, producing maximum deliciousness.

Small details like coffee-infused chocolate and precise mixing elevate this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

Passionate chocolate enthusiasts – click those share buttons, drop comments below, and spread pure chocolate happiness across your favorite social platforms!

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Ina Garten Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

Ina Garten Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s flourless chocolate cake delivers rich, indulgent flavors straight from French culinary traditions. Dark chocolate and butter combine to create a luxurious dessert that melts beautifully on your palate with intense, sophisticated sweetness.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup gluten-free flour
  • 1 can (16 ounces/454 grams) Hershey chocolate syrup
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Dairy Ingredients:

  • ¼ pound (113 grams) butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even baking.
  2. Prepare an 8-inch round cake pan by generously coating the interior with softened butter, then dust with a light layer of all-purpose flour to prevent sticking.
  3. Place a circular parchment paper at the bottom of the pan for easy cake removal.
  4. Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes pale, fluffy, and significantly increased in volume.
  5. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth, well-integrated batter.
  6. Pour in the chocolate syrup and vanilla extract, mixing until the ingredients are completely combined and the batter appears uniform.
  7. Gently fold in the flour, stirring just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Take care not to overmix, which can develop gluten and result in a dense, tough cake.
  8. Transfer the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
  9. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs, indicating the cake is perfectly cooked.
  10. Allow the cake to cool completely within the pan, which helps it maintain its structure and prevents potential cracking.
  11. For the ganache, create a double boiler by placing a heat-resistant bowl over a pot of gently simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
  12. Combine heavy cream, chocolate chips, and coffee in the bowl, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes smooth, glossy, and fully melted.
  13. Carefully invert the cooled cake onto a wire rack positioned over a baking sheet to catch excess ganache.
  14. Pour the warm ganache over the cake, using a spatula or tilting the rack to ensure complete and even coverage of the top and sides.
  15. Allow the ganache to set at room temperature, which helps it achieve a beautiful, glossy finish without refrigeration.

Notes

  • Cool the cake completely on a wire rack to prevent moisture buildup and ensure structural integrity.
  • Let ganache set at room temperature for a glossy, professional-looking finish that drips perfectly.
  • Deepen chocolate intensity by adding a splash of strong coffee, which enhances flavor without overwhelming.
  • Keep cake covered at room temperature to maintain moisture and allow flavors to develop fully.
  • Elevate presentation with a light dusting of powdered sugar or fresh berries for an elegant touch.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 315 kcal
  • Sugar: 21 g
  • Sodium: 60 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
Isabella Rodriguez

Isabella Rodriguez

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning

Education

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
  • Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.

Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.

At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.

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