Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe – This rich and fudgy brownie cake tastes just like a decadent brownie, better than your favorite box mix, but is homemade in minutes with only a handful of gluten-free ingredients.

flourless chocolate brownie cake -sliced on plate

Best Chocolate Brownie Cake Recipe, IMO

Going gluten-free is not just a fad. As more people realize the health benefits of omitting gluten from their diets, or at least cutting back a bit, more and more restaurants and recipes are offering great GF-friendly options that are here to stay.

These dishes can range from super healthy to terrifically indulgent, with all sorts of hits for recreating those favorite yummy carb-y foods.

My daughter is one of the many that now follow a low-carb diet with little to no gluten. It’s been a fun challenge to develop recipes that suit her dietary choices and make the entire family happy. Gluten-free dinners, lunches, and savory snacks are relatively easy to come up with, as we all love lean proteins with lots of veggies.

But what about sweet desserts?! Cookies, cakes, pies, brownies… We are big fans of anything that includes fudgy chocolate goodness. But since my daughter doesn’t eat a ton of gluten, I’ve had to come up with some sweet tooth-pleasing alternative desserts that don’t feel or taste “alternative.”

gluten free brownie cake overhead shot of whole cake on stand

Gluten-Free Flourless Chocolate Cake

This simple “Brownie Cake” a.k.a. Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate Cake has become a family favorite. It takes just minutes to whip up and pop in the oven, so it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dessert. Yet it tastes so decadent, and feels so luxurious, you can certainly serve it at your next dinner party.

Made with semi-sweet chocolate and a bit of instant coffee, this brownie-like cake is dark and ultra-fudgy. A generous sprinkling of chopped pistachios both in the batter and on top of the cake adds a delightfully crunchy texture. All of these terrifically rich flavors are complemented by a heaping dollop of fresh whipped cream.

I guarantee that our Flourless Brownie Cake is just as satisfying and delicious as any conventional flour-based dessert. Give it a try for your next family gathering, and I bet people won’t even know it’s gluten-free!

chocolate cake with whipped cream

What Ingredients You Need

I love that this Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe is considerably low carb and only requires simple ingredients that are pantry staples. There are no alternative gf-friendly flours or special items required!

Here is everything you need:

  • Semi-sweet baking chocolate
  • Unsalted butter
  • Granulated sugar – or alternative low-carb sweetener
  • Instant coffee granules – or instant espresso (not coffee grounds)
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt
  • Large eggs
  • Chopped pistachios – or another nut of your choice, optional
  • Heavy cream – for homemade whipped cream

Brownie Cake Variations

You can add nuts, or you can skip them. I personally like Gluten Free Brownie Cake with chopped pistachios. Other nuts you might enjoy include almonds, walnuts, or peanuts. For a completely nut-free dessert, you can leave out the nuts and dust the top of the finished cake with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings.

To also make this a completely dairy-free dessert, simply leave off the whipped cream or swap it with your favorite plant-based “whipped cream” in a can. Then use a plant-based butter alternative in place of the butter.

brownie cake batter with pistachios

How To Make the Best Brownie Cake

It’s easy to make a perfectly dense, rich, and fudgy chocolate cake in just minutes and with only one bowl!

Here’s your new favorite Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Instructions:

First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, and set out a 9-inch cake pan and a piece of parchment paper. Trace the bottom of the round cake pans onto the parchment and cut out the circle. Line the pan with the circle of parchment, then thoroughly spray or grease the sides of the pan and the paper. These steps are incredibly important to make sure that your cake doesn’t stick to the pan and bakes perfectly every time.

Next, in a microwave-safe large bowl, melt the chocolate and butter together. Microwave in 1-minute increments, for just a couple of minutes, stirring in between bursts until the mixture is completely smooth.

Then stir in the sugar, instant coffee, vanilla, and salt, (you can use a stand mixer or a hand electric mixer for this). Once very smooth, whisk in the eggs. Finally, stir in the pistachios or other nuts, and pour the batter into the prepared pan.

batter in pan

Bake the Flourless Chocolate Cake until the top is puffed.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for several minutes. Then, carefully flip the cake out of the pan, peel off the parchment paper, and set it on a cake server. Let the cake cool to room temperature while you make fresh whipped cream.

baked chocolate brownie cake in pan

To make homemade whipped cream: 

  1. First, wash out the mixing bowl you used for the brownie cake batter, or get a new clean bowl.
  2. Next, pour the heavy cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar into the bowl.
  3. Then, using a standing mixer or hand mixer, whip on high until peaks form.

Scoop the whipped cream on top of the cake, and sprinkle with extra pistachios or cocoa powder.

Get the Complete Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe (Fudgy Gluten Free Brownie Cake) Below. Enjoy

gluten free dessert - brownie cake on stand

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this cake last?

You can make this Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie Cake ahead and refrigerate it for up to 4 days. You can wrap it with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the fridge. 

When ready to serve, let the cake sit out at room temperature for 20 minutes to soften the texture.

flourless cake overhead shot with slices

Can I Make this a Paleo Chocolate Cake Recipe?

It is easy to make this a low-carb paleo dessert. Use paleo-friendly chocolate chips and substitute the granulated sugar with your favorite alternative sweetener, like 1-to-1 baking stevia. And be sure to skip the whipped cream, too, if following a strict paleo diet!

flourless chocolate brownie cake close up of slice

Looking for More Delicious Dessert Recipes?

Check this dessert’s printable recipe card for the prep time, total time, and nutrition information.

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Brownie Cake (Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate Cake)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe – This rich and fudgy flourless chocolate cake tastes just like a decadent brownie from your favorite box mix, but is homemade in minutes with only a handful of gluten free ingredients.
Servings: 12 pieces

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Set out a 9 inch cake pan and a piece of parchment paper. Trace the bottom of the cake pan onto the parchment and cut out the circle. Line the pan with the parchment, then thoroughly spray (or grease) the sides of the pan and the paper.
  • In a microwave-safe mixing bowl, melt the chocolate and butter together. Microwave in 1 minute increments, for 2-3 minutes, stirring in between, until the mixture is completely smooth.
  • Then stir in ¾ cup sugar, instant coffee, vanilla, and salt. Once very smooth, whisk in the eggs. Finally stir in the pistachios, if using.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes, until the top is puffed. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then carefully flip the cake out of the pan, peel off the paper, and set it on a cake plate. Allow the cake to cool to room temperature.
  • Meanwhile, set out a clean mixing bowl. Pour the heavy cream and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Whip on high until peaks form.
  • Scoop the whipped cream on top of the cake. Sprinkle with extra pistachios or cocoa powder if desired.

Video

Notes

Make ahead and refrigerate for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, let the cake sit out at room temperature for 20 minutes to soften the texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 340kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 31g, Saturated Fat: 18g, Cholesterol: 122mg, Sodium: 132mg, Potassium: 199mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 832IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 46mg, Iron: 2mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier
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