Description
Ina Garten’s flourless chocolate cake delights dessert enthusiasts with its rich, dense texture. Chocolate lovers savor this gluten-free indulgence that promises pure decadence without compromise.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb plus 3 oz (680 g) bittersweet chocolate (such as Lindt), broken into chunks
- 4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature, separated
- 10 tbsps (1¼ sticks or 142 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into pieces
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tbsp gluten-free flour (such as Cup4Cup)
- 1 ½ tbsps sugar
- 1 tsp instant coffee granules
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- Coffee or vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Butter an 8-inch springform pan and line bottom with parchment paper.
- Chocolate Foundation: Melt bittersweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Remove from heat and blend in unsalted butter, gluten-free flour, granulated sugar, instant coffee granules, and salt. Whisk egg yolks until mixture becomes smooth and glossy.
- Egg White Transformation: Whip egg whites in an electric mixer until soft, billowy peaks form that hold their shape but remain light.
- Batter Integration: Gently fold whipped egg whites into chocolate mixture using sweeping motions, maintaining airiness and ensuring uniform color and texture.
- Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing surface evenly. Bake for exactly 15 minutes, then turn off oven and crack door open slightly. Let cake rest inside for one hour, allowing natural deflation and creating a distinctive sunken center.
- Ganache Creation: Combine remaining chocolate with heavy cream in a heatproof bowl. Melt over simmering water, stirring until smooth and glossy. Adjust consistency with additional cream if necessary.
- Finishing Touches: Carefully remove springform pan sides and transfer cake to serving plate. Pour warm ganache into cake’s center, allowing it to fill the natural depression while leaving edges untouched.
- Serving Suggestion: Present cake at room temperature or slightly warm. Optionally top with a scoop of coffee or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent experience.
Notes
- Ensure Perfect Chocolate Melting: Use a gentle double-boiler method to melt chocolate, preventing burning and maintaining smooth texture.
- Master Egg White Technique: Whip egg whites to soft peaks carefully, avoiding over-beating which can deflate the cake’s delicate structure.
- Control Baking Precision: Follow the exact 15-minute baking time and one-hour resting method to achieve the signature sunken center and rich texture.
- Ganache Application Tip: Pour warm ganache only into the cake’s center depression for a professional, elegant presentation that maximizes visual and flavor appeal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg