I don’t know when I first came across flourless chocolate espresso cake, but I know for certain that I saw it most regularly when I lived in France during culinary school. On menus, it was listed as moelleux au chocolat or molten chocolate cake.
Why You’ll Love This Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake
The most common versions of this flourless chocolate espresso cake are reminiscent of the style that chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten claimed he invented in New York in the late 1980s (even if famed pastry chef Jacques Torres disputes that). As in, they are dense, melty chocolate.
This flourless chocolate espresso cake is what dessert dreams are made of. With a tender, mousse-like center, a crackly top, and a rich chocolate espresso caramel sauce, it’s an indulgent treat for serious chocolate lovers. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or want to elevate your dessert game, this cake is guaranteed to impress.
This flourless chocolate espresso cake is equal parts fudgy, rich, and bold, without being overly sweet. It’s naturally gluten-free, made for make-ahead entertaining, and turns heads every time it hits the table. The bonus? That silky, espresso-laced caramel sauce takes it over the top.
Recipe Ingredients
To make this flourless chocolate espresso cake, you’ll need pantry staples such as sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla, along with high-quality milk or dark chocolate. The recipe relies on instant espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor and add complexity.
And don’t skip the caramel sauce—it uses heavy cream, chocolate, espresso, and sea salt to make an irresistibly luscious topping.
For the Chocolate Espresso Caramel Sauce:
- Granulated sugar: Caramelizes to create the base of the sauce with a toasty, complex sweetness.
- Cold water: Helps evenly dissolve the sugar to prevent crystallization.
- Heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk: Adds richness and creates that velvety texture in the finished caramel.
- Unsalted butter: Adds body and a glossy finish to the sauce.
- Instant espresso or coffee powder: Deepens the caramel’s flavor and complements the chocolate beautifully.
- Milk or dark chocolate: Melts into the caramel for a mocha-like richness.
- Vanilla extract: Balances the bitterness of the espresso and ties all the flavors together.
- Flaky sea salt: A pinch at the end enhances the sweetness and adds a little crunch.
For the Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake:
- Unsalted butter: Used to melt the chocolate and add moisture to the batter.
- Milk or dark chocolate: The star ingredient, bringing a rich, luxurious texture and taste.
- Eggs (separated): Yolks create a creamy base while whipped whites give the cake its light, soufflé-like texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a slightly crackly top.
- Instant espresso or coffee powder: Enhances the chocolate flavor and adds a subtle bitter note for depth.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the flavor.
- Kosher salt: Boosts the flavor of all the other ingredients.
For Garnish (Optional):
- Crème fraîche or whipped cream: Adds tang or lightness to balance the richness of the cake.
- Cacao nibs: Provide a textural contrast and intensify the chocolate flavor.
- Flaky sea salt: A finishing touch that brightens and elevates every bite.
How To Make This Recipe
To make this flourless chocolate espresso cake, start by making the chocolate espresso caramel sauce. Cook the sugar until it turns amber, then whisk in the cream, espresso, butter, and chocolate.
For the cake, you’ll melt chocolate and butter, beat egg yolks with sugar and espresso, then fold in whipped egg whites. After baking, the flourless chocolate espresso cake sets into a cloud-like texture with a crackly top and intense chocolate flavor.
Origin Of Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake
Pop culture would have you believe that the French are to credit with the creation of this flourless chocolate espresso cake. However, as with much of culinary history, the Italians also lay claim to a stake.
According to Florence Fabricant, you can find a version of flourless chocolate espresso cake (known as la tenerina) in the Northern Italian town of Ferrara in Emilia-Romagna. While on my travels to Italy’s Amalfi Coast, I’ve come across a similar recipe known as the Torta Caprese (though it’s commonly made with almonds or almond flour).
Variations On Flourless Chocolate Cake
Regardless of its origin, as a major chocolate lover, I’m a huge fan of the concept of a decadent chocolate cake. And this flourless chocolate espresso cake works as a great base for when you want to channel some culinary travels right in your own kitchen.
When I want more classic French flavors, I nix the chocolate and coffee from the caramel and let the caramel cook until it is almost burnt, then serve it with a large dollop of tangy crème fraîche.
For a more Italian take, I make it as it is since the final recipe tastes almost like a cake version of a bicerin. For a more Mexican version, I add a pinch of ground cinnamon and some orange zest to the batter, then a cinnamon stick and some orange peel to the final caramel sauce, for flavors reminiscent of café de olla.
What To Serve With This
This flourless chocolate espresso cake is fantastic with a dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche. You can add a scoop of vanilla gelato or a sprinkle of cacao nibs for a bit of crunch. Serve it with a hot espresso or a dessert wine, such as Vin Santo or Tawny Port, for a complete experience.
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Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For The Chocolate Espresso Caramel Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons instant espresso or coffee powder
- 4 ounces coarsely chopped milk or dark chocolate
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch Maldon sea salt or other flaky sea salt, for garnish
For The Flourless Chocolate Cake:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 ounces coarsely chopped milk or dark chocolate
- 6 large eggs separated at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons instant espresso or coffee powder
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For Garnish:
- Crème fraîche or whipped cream, for garnish (optional)
- Cacao nibs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make The Chocolate Espresso Caramel Sauce: Stir together 1 1/2 cups of the sugar and 1/4 cup of water in a small saucepan until the sugar is completely moistened. Clean the inside of the saucepan of any sugar granules by brushing the interior (above the sugar mixture) with a wet pastry brush. Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. At this point do not stir the mixture until is it a proper caramel (is at least amber in color) Instead swirl the pan as needed to help the mixture cook evenly and let the sugar boil until it turns amber in color, about 5 minutes.
- Immediately remove the caramel from the heat and carefully add 1 cup of the cream (it will bubble up so pour it in slowly!), 4 tablespoons of the butter, 2 tablespoons of coffee powder or instant espresso. Swirl the pan until the caramel is smooth and uniform in color. Return the caramel to the stove and bring to simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly until smooth. Reduce the heat to low then add in 4 ounces of the chopped chocolate. Cook the sauce over low heat, whisking until the chocolate is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat, stir in the 1 tablespoon of the vanilla and a pinch of flaky sea salt and set aside until ready to use.
- Make The Flourless Chocolate Cake: Heat oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Invert bottom of a 9-inch springform pan (to help the final cake release easily onto a serving plate) and line with a parchment round; then coat the parchment with the extra butter.
- Combine the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and remaining 6 ounces of chocolate in a bowl, set over a saucepan of simmering water and stir regularly until smooth and melted. Set the chocolate mixture in a warm spot like the top of stove until ready to use (you don't want it to cook anymore but also don't want it to cool down so much it solidifies).Meanwhile, combine the 6 egg yolks and 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fit with a whisk attachment and mix on medium-high speed until thick and pale, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of the espresso powder and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; beat until combined, about 1 minute. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vanilla and melted-chocolate mixture; beat about 1 minute more then set aside.
- In an impeccably clean bowl, beat egg whites on medium-high speed until foamy. Increase speed to high; gradually add remaining 1/2 cup of the sugar, beating until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Fold into the chocolate mixture in three parts. For the first third of egg whites, go ahead and add them to the bowl and simply stir them until there are no longer white streaks. For the last two parts, be a bit more careful and add the egg whites and delicately fold them in by turning the bowl in one direction and folding with a rubber spatula in the other direction. Transfer batter to pan and immediately transfer it to the oven. Bake the flourless chocolate cake until it is puffed, the top is slightly cracked, and the cake is set, about 40 to 45 minutes.
- Serve The Flourless Chocolate Cake: Let the cake cool completely in a pan on a wire rack. Run a butter knife around the inside of the pan to help it release then take off the removable rim. Carefully remove the parchment paper and transfer the cake to a serving plate or cake stand. Serve caramel sauce drizzled on cake along with whipped cream or a drizzle of cream, mascarpone, or crema, or a dollop of crème fraîche (or cream), cacao nibs, and some flaky sea salt, as desired.
