I wasn’t sure about making MDP a chocolate dessert for Date Night In for while most people enjoy chocolate we usually prefer other things over chocolate (like key lime). I know we are weird. While MDP likes chocolate he was what he calls “chocolated to death” the majority of his adult life, almost twitching at the sight of chocolate cream pie. But it occurred to me that I don’t think I have ever made him a chocolate flourless cake and that needed to change.
Luckily my experiment worked as he was surprised that a dessert could be rich and light all at the same time. We learned you don’t need the whipped cream or chocolate sauce as MDP’s former step-son who still comes over from time to time ended up eating literally HALF the cake. Now we didn’t realize this as he kept taking a little and little at a time. When we went to give my stepdaughter a piece (she was at soccer) we realized that there was only about a slice and a half left and before over ¾ of the cake was still there. 🙂 So yeah, it’s pretty good.
Since this is such a simple cake you really, really want to use the best ingredients you can afford. Best ingredients for me always means starting with Plugra Butter, you need good butter for this. We all know my love for Plugra. Same with the chocolate…buy the best you can afford for this. If you have an eyebrow raised at the espresso powder you don’t really taste it…but it really helps bring out the flavor of the coffee. You can flavor the whipped cream with an liquor or leave it out. I used a local chocolate sauce (Fran’s) but you can use whatever you like.
And of course best of all…this is gluten free…so it’s health food! 🙂
Chocolate Flourless Cake with Frangelico Whipped Cream
8 oz. unsalted Plugra European Style Butter
8 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
¼ tsp. espresso or coffee powder
6 large egg yolks
¾ cup granulated sugar
8 large egg whites, at room temperature
2 cups heavy cream
3 TBSP Frangelico liquor
¼ cup powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 325F.
Spray the inside of a 9-inch Springform pan with baking spray (or use melted butter).
Line the pan with parchment paper. Don’t skip this step…your cake will stick otherwise.
Using a double boiler melt the butter and chocolate together stirring often until the mixture is smooth and all is melted together. Let cool to room temperature.
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment beat together on high the egg yolks, espresso powder, and sugar until it doubles in volume and has a lighter shade of yellow, about 3 minutes.
Either with a hand mixer or another clean bowl beat the egg whites until stiff (but not dry).
Using a rubber spatula fold the chocolate into the egg yolk mixture.
Add 1/3 of the egg whites and stir to incorporate…this is lightening the batter.
Then gently fold the remaining 2/3 egg whites into the batter.
Pour the mixture into the pan, spreading evenly.
Place on a baking sheet on the center rack.
Bake for 52-54 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out fairly clean.
It will be puffed up like a soufflé when you take it out….be warned it WILL fall. It’s supposed to fall. You did nothing wrong.
Allow to cool for about 15 minutes then release the cake from the Springform and slide it onto a plate.
Whip 2 cups of heavy cream, sugar, and Frangelico on high until soft peaks are formed.
Top cake with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
I created this amazing Chocolate Flourless Cake for my client, Plugra Butter! Thank you for supporting the brands that keep me inspired in the kitchen.
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
This looks delicious! And yes, totally, anything gluten free is absolutely healthy, no matter how much butter or chocolate 😛
Kelly says
Gluten free AND health food… That means we should have this at least once a week right? 😀
Gina says
This looks so decadent! My husband would agree with you on “things other than chocolate” but outside a seasonal fruit crumble, I’m a chocolate girl through and through so I’ll gladly eat one big slice of this!
Alice says
I might have drooled on my screen…
Joy says
Do you think it would work without a spring pan?
Peabody says
@joy you probably could but its much easier to remove
Amanda says
I love this, AMAZING!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Good lord girl! This looks amazing! I need to get my hands on some plugra stat!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Agreed on the chocolate, unless there is something mixed in there (ideally peanut butter) I would prefer fruity desserts over chocolate.But I think the whipped cream is enough to sway me on this one 😉
Annamaria @ Bakewell Junction says
Peabody,
I am definitely a chocolate fan, so this delectable recipe looks wonderful.
Annamaria