Flourless Chocolate Cake

Like so many things I like to cook, my first run-in and inspiration was while dining out. Such is the case with flourless chocolate cake, which I first had at The Ambassador in Chicago. This particular dessert looks good, tastes great, rich in chocolate flavor but not overly sweet, and is quite easy to make. The texture can be quite like fudge, which most people like. The more air you beat into the eggs, the higher and lighter it will cook, though it settles down fairly quickly. Have at it!!!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup (170g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (I use Guittard bittersweet)
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter
3/4 cup (149g) granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-2 teaspoons espresso powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
3 large eggs
1/2 cup (43g) Dutch process cocoa powder

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 375 deg. Lightly grease a metal 8″ round cake pan; cut a piece of parchment to fit, grease it, and lay it in the bottom of the pan.
Place the sugar, salt, and expresso powder in a bowl, and whisk to combine. Add the vanilla extract or paste. Put aside.
In another bowl, beat the eggs until smooth (the more air you incorporate the higher your finished cake will tend to be). Put aside.
Put the chocolate and butter in a sauce pan (I use a 1-1/2 quart saucier), and put the pan over very low heat. Stir as the butter and chocolate melt, and keep stirring until they are combined and smooth.
Pour the chocolate and butter into a medium sized mixing bowl. Add the dry ingredients and vanilla and stir until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Add the eggs, beating briefly until the batter is smooth.
Add the cocoa powder and mix just to combine.
Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan, put it in the oven, level it, and bake for 25 minutes, or until an instant read thermometer registers 200 deg.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
Loosen the edges of the pan with a table knife or small spatula, then turn the cake out onto a plate. If the parchment comes out with the cake, remove it. Allow the cake to cool before serving.

TIPS

Straight from the oven, this cake has more the appearance of a brownie, and if you take the extra step to turn it over after you remove it from the pan, it will have that shiny and slightly crusty look that you associate with brownies.

Top with a dusting of powdered sugar, whipped cream, fruit, or any combination thereof. Caramel sauce is a welcome addition as well. You can also top with your favorite ice cream.

The cake can be cut into wedges of the desired size. Depending on your preferred presentation, you can also use biscuit cutters to make smaller round cakes, square cakes, or whatever. If you cut out smaller pieces for serving, the scraps can be cut up or chopped. Let them dry out a bit and use them as a chocolate crumble on ice cream or something else.​

For those into digestives and other after-dinner drinks, it pairs beautifully with a good brandy or maybe Kahlua, Tia Maria, or other coffee liqueur; or you can go to something with a taste that complements whatever topping you’ve put on the cake, itself.