• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Cathy's Gluten Free logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start Here!
    • How My Skin Cleared Up
    • Gluten Free Guidance
  • Recipe Index
  • Meet Cathy
×
Home » Recipes by Type » Dairy Free Recipes

Modified: May 16, 2025 Published: Feb 9, 2018· Cathy Brak · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Home » Recipes by Type » Dairy Free Recipes

Flourless Chocolate Cake (Dairy Free, Gluten Free)

  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe

This Flourless Chocolate Cake is rich, moist, and decadent! It's a five-ingredient flourless chocolate cake made healthier!

Dairy Free, Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate made with only 5 ingredients!
Dairy Free, Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate made with only 5 ingredients!
Jump to:
  • Flourless Chocolate Cake - Five Ingredients!
  • Make it Pretty!
  • Dairy Free Desserts
  • Recipe

There are lots of recipes for flourless chocolate cake on the internet. It's a great gluten free dessert option often offered on restaurant menus. As I like to do, I've taken it a step further and made it healthier by including easily-digestible coconut oil.

banner with blueberry muffins to the left and text in remaining white space

Flourless Chocolate Cake - Five Ingredients!

Chocolate

This recipe is free from dairy if you use dairy free chocolate.  Although I had been using semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate to bake this cake, I tried it with unsweetened dark chocolate and like it just as well.

Sugar

You can choose whether you want to sweeten it with coconut palm sugar or organic raw sugar.

Coconut Oil (melting tips)

As always, melt your chocolate over a low heat. In this recipe, it melts nicely with your coconut oil. You can do this by setting the dish containing your chocolate and coconut oil in a pan of simmering water.

If you have a warm setting on your stove top, you can set a pyrex measuring cup right on it.

Another option would be to briefly set the pyrex cup into the preheating oven with only the coconut oil in it. When the coconut oil has melted, you can stir in your broken or chopped chocolate pieces. The heat from the oil and the pyrex will probably melt your chocolate with a couple of stirs.

Whichever method you choose to melt your chocolate and coconut oil mixture, you need to be aware of its temperature before incorporating it with the egg yolks. You don't want it to be so hot that it cooks the yolks. However, you don't want it to be so cool that the chocolate and coconut oil are beginning to solidify, either.

Eggs

For best results, bring your eggs to room temperature before you begin. Cold egg yolks might cause your chocolate and coconut oil to solidify too quickly.

Cocoa

Choose a good, pure cocoa powder for this recipe. For even better health benefits, use raw cacao powder.

Make it Pretty!

Flourless Chocolate Cake Sprinkled with Coconut Milk Powder
Flourless Chocolate Cake Sprinkled with Coconut Milk Powder

This step is entirely optional, but you might like to sprinkle a little coconut milk powder over your finished creation. I shook mine on through a little mesh strainer.

Dairy Free Desserts

Here are some more gluten free, dairy free desserts you might like!

  • Butter Tarts
  • Lavender Biscotti
  • Gingerbread Cookies
  • Chocolate Almond Bark

Recipe

wedge of chocolate cake with cherries and sauce on top

Flourless Chocolate Cake

CathysGlutenFree.com
4.88 from 8 votes
Pin Print (email required) Rate
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American, Canadian
Diet: Gluten Free
Keyword: chocolate, flourless, gluten free
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hour
Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 336kcal
Author: Cathy
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • ½ cup coconut oil
  • 4 ounces semisweet or unsweetened chocolate dairy free, if necessary
  • 6 eggs separated
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • ½ cup coconut sugar OR organic raw sugar
  • 1 teaspoon coconut milk powder optional, for garnish

Instructions

  • Line the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 275 F.
  • Melt ½ cup coconut oil and semisweet chocolate over low heat. Remove from heat when they are just soft enough to be whisked smooth. Allow to cool a little.
  • Meanwhile, separate eggs by putting whites into a large mixing bowl and the yolks into a medium one.
  • Whisk egg yolks together with coconut palm sugar and cocoa powder until smooth. Slowly add the melted coconut oil and chocolate mixture. Beat until well combined.
  • Beat the egg whites until stiff.
  • Stir ¼ of beaten egg whites into the chocolate-egg yolk mixture. Then gently fold in remaining whites, being careful not to mix more than necessary. Carefully pour into prepared pan.
  • Bake for 45 - 60 minutes or until centre is set. Allow to cool in pan before removing sides of pan and serving.
  • Sprinkle cooled cake with a little coconut milk powder, if desired.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 57mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g
Gluten Free, Dairy Free Flourless Chocolate Cake is made with only 5 ingredients!
Gluten Free, Dairy Free Flourless Chocolate Cake is made with only 5 ingredients!
  • Share
  • Tweet

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karen says

    January 12, 2020 at 7:18 am

    5 stars
    I made this for a sick friend which was her Xmas cake, this was a first ever for me to make this type of cake and every one loved it! thank you so much this cake made my friends Christmas, I made a couple of fondant figures to put on top and sifted icing sugar just to dress it up and it looked very cute! Love this recipe highly recommend to all! Wish I could post a pic of it!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      January 12, 2020 at 7:55 am

      I am so happy to hear that this brightened your friend's day! I'm sure you made it look very good! Thank you for telling me about it.

      Reply
  2. Tatiana says

    February 19, 2018 at 2:35 am

    Oh I love your tips on melting the coconut oil, just so funny that I almost never seen it solid in my house . California Valley heat:)

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 19, 2018 at 8:17 am

      Ha, ha! Yeah, we Canadians get pretty excited if our coconut oil melts on its own!

      Reply
  3. Easy Prep Ahead Meal Plans @ 20 Dishes says

    February 19, 2018 at 1:03 am

    This looks divine!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 19, 2018 at 8:16 am

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  4. Mira says

    February 18, 2018 at 7:22 pm

    This is absolutely perfect! I'm doing dairy-free right now so this treat will definitely help me with the transition!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 18, 2018 at 8:47 pm

      I'm very happy to help!

      Reply
  5. Leslie-Anne says

    February 18, 2018 at 6:22 pm

    I adore flourless chocolate cake! It's so satisfying, I'm not sure why cake needs flour at all! This looks fantastic!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 18, 2018 at 8:47 pm

      Thank you, Leslie-Anne! I agree about cake not needing flour.

      Reply
  6. Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen says

    February 17, 2018 at 9:20 am

    Oh my gosh, give me a fork!! This looks so decadent and full of flavour!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 17, 2018 at 10:55 pm

      You're so kind! Thank you!

      Reply
  7. Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says

    February 13, 2018 at 8:20 pm

    Oh yum! I love all things chocolate and this flourless chocolate cake sounds perfect! So perfect anytime, but also special for February since it's national chocolate lovers month. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 14, 2018 at 7:00 am

      Chocolate Lovers' Month is a great month!

      Reply
  8. Megan Stevens says

    February 13, 2018 at 9:30 am

    Aw, I love that you start with unsweetened chocolate. It's so empowering to not start with an ingredient that already contains sugar. YAY! beautiful!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 13, 2018 at 9:42 am

      To be honest, after testing the recipe with semisweet chocolate, unsweetened was all I had left in the house to make the cake for the photos. I was so pleased with the taste that I went with it!

      Reply
  9. Christina Shoemaker says

    February 12, 2018 at 10:53 pm

    YESSSSSSSS!! I'd eat the whole cake. Not joking. This looks and sounds amazing.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 13, 2018 at 9:34 am

      I know! I had to freeze some pieces, or I would have eaten it all, too!

      Reply
  10. Joni Gomes says

    February 12, 2018 at 10:42 pm

    That looks so decadent! Love the video too!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 13, 2018 at 9:30 am

      Thank you, Joni! Video is a lot of work, so it's always encouraging to hear someone watched it!

      Reply
  11. Tessa Simpson says

    February 12, 2018 at 10:12 pm

    so simple, I love how these flourless cakes turn out...so rich and decadent!!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 13, 2018 at 9:29 am

      It is that!

      Reply
  12. Jean says

    February 12, 2018 at 9:21 pm

    LOVE flourless cakes and this one just looks so pretty and perfect!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 13, 2018 at 9:29 am

      Thank you, Jean!

      Reply
  13. Meredith says

    February 12, 2018 at 9:20 pm

    Ooh this flourless chocolate cake looks so decadent! What a perfect dessert for Valentine's day and Passover! Definitely pinning to try soon.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 13, 2018 at 9:28 am

      Thanks, Meredith! I hope you like it!

      Reply
  14. Yvonne says

    February 12, 2018 at 8:34 pm

    Looks beautiful and I like that it is dairy free too.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 12, 2018 at 8:50 pm

      Thank you, Yvonne!

      Reply
  15. Renee says

    February 12, 2018 at 7:45 pm

    Wow! What a simple but elegant treat! Thank you for sharing - I'll be trying this for sure!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 12, 2018 at 8:09 pm

      I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  16. Raia Todd says

    February 12, 2018 at 4:06 pm

    It sounds and looks delicious! Nice that it can easily be made dairy-free, too.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 12, 2018 at 4:12 pm

      Thanks, Raia! Flourless chocolate cake is a gluten free given, so I think it's nice to take it a step further.

      Reply
  17. linda spiker says

    February 12, 2018 at 4:03 pm

    The cake is stunning, and those cherries...drool.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 12, 2018 at 4:11 pm

      Thank you, Linda!

      Reply
  18. Lindsey Dietz says

    February 12, 2018 at 11:20 am

    Wow! I never thought of using coconut milk powder instead of powdered sugar! What a great idea!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 12, 2018 at 11:49 am

      Thanks, Lindsey! I don't keep powdered sugar in the house, so I had to be resourceful!

      Reply
  19. Lillian Tse says

    February 10, 2018 at 12:10 am

    I love flourless cakes! Even better when this one incorporates chocolate!!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 10, 2018 at 7:55 am

      It's rather amazing that cake can be made without flour, isn't it!

      Reply
  20. Elaine says

    February 09, 2018 at 8:43 pm

    Chocolate! We won't miss that flour one bit, will we! Looks awesome, Cathy!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 09, 2018 at 10:01 pm

      Thanks, Elaine! That's right; the chocolate is rich and lovely!

      Reply
  21. Nicole | What She Ate says

    February 09, 2018 at 1:29 pm

    I love flourless cakes and I happen to have all these ingredients on hand. Might have to make some for dessert tonight. Another lovely recipe, Cathy!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 09, 2018 at 1:42 pm

      Perfect! Thank you, Nicole!

      Reply
  22. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says

    February 09, 2018 at 1:09 pm

    I like flourless cakes a lot! And here you're using some of my favorites: coconut oil, coconut sugar, semisweet chocolate... so delectable! Such pretty videos you make, we still have to take the leap... 🙂

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 09, 2018 at 1:16 pm

      Wonderful! Videos certainly are a lot of work. I hope they're helpful!

      Reply
4.88 from 8 votes (6 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

headshot of Cathy, smiling woman with medium-length gray hair.

Hi, I'm Cathy!

I enjoy developing delicious, nutritious gluten free recipes, simplified for creating at home.

Learn more...
cover of Coffee House Muffins to Make at Home on tablet, image of looking down on the tops of various muffins and cups of coffee

As featured in...

logos for Country Living, Foodgawker, Yummly, and A Canadian Celiac Podcast

Popular Recipes

  • two pieces of crispy, golden-browned battered fish on a black plate with a wedge of lemon and a lettuce leaf.
    Gluten Free Fish Batter Recipe
  • two bowls of creamy rice pudding with raisins on blue placemat.
    Rice Pudding with Cooked Rice
  • two bowls of chili with ground beef and chunks of red vegetable.
    Slow Cooker Chili Made in the Instant Pot
  • wedge of white vanilla cake with red strawberry filling and white frosting served on a black plate.
    Strawberry Jam Cake

Categories

  • Breakfast
  • Breads
  • Salad Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Desserts
  • Cookies and Snacks
Elimination Diet Meal Plan

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Meet Cathy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 CathysGlutenFree, all rights reserved

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.