Flourless Mexican Hot Chocolate Cake

At a glance

What stands out: Flourless Mexican hot chocolate cake is unforgettably rich. This fudgy cake is fragrantly spicy with cinnamon and a pinch of chipotle chile powder. Try it with a dollop of whipped cream or dress it up with ganache for an extra special occasion.

How long it takes: 55 minutes to make but allow a few hours for chilling.
Equipment you’ll need: springform pan, oven, saucepan, mixing bowls, mixer, measuring utensils
Servings: 16

Fudgy Flourless Chocolate Cake

This flourless Mexican hot chocolate cake satisfies any dark chocolate craving you may have. If you haven’t tried a flourless cake before, please do! With a delicately crispy exterior, and rich creamy interior reminiscent of cheesecake, the unique texture is totally unlike any other cakes you’ve had. Think of a standby brownie in the world, and multiply it by about ten. That’s how good it is!

We are obsessed with how good this flourless Mexican hot chocolate cake is! In fact, we're almost glad when the last piece has been eaten because when it’s in our fridge, we can almost hear it calling our name. “the kitchen, the kitchen…we're still in here, eat us, you know you want to, why don’t you have just one bite….or two…!”

About Flourless Cakes

Gluten-free. Unlike most cake recipes, this cake is made completely without flour. or flour substitutes. However, that probably won’t be the reason you make this flourless cake recipe. You’ll make it because it’s out of this world rich!

It’s all about the chocolate. Flourless cakes are unique in that they are made without flour but what takes the place of the flour? Flourless cake has a luxury foundation of good quality dark chocolate. The better the chocolate is, the better the cake will be.

What makes it “Mexican hot chocolate”? What sets this cake apart from other flourless chocolate cakes is the addition of cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of chipotle chile powder. Cinnamon and vanilla are an essential part of traditional Mexican chocolate. Chipotle chile powder adds just a touch of spicy heat that enhances the chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla.

If you’re loving the idea of chocolate with cinnamon, try Mexican chocolate shortbread cookies or Kahlúa brownies with cinnamon. So good!

How it comes together

Heat the chocolate. Begin by melting chopped chocolate with butter in a double boiler pan. If you don’t happen to own a double boiler, don’t worry, neither do we! You can make your own double boiler pan by setting a heat proof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Melting chocolate in the microwave works well, too.

Add the spice. After the chocolate and butter has melted, stir in oil, cinnamon, vanilla, chipotle chile powder, and a pinch of salt. Replacing some of the butter with oil makes this cake a little lighter in saturated fat. Set this mixture aside to cool slightly.

Beat the eggs and sugar. While it’s cooling, you can take care of the next step. Using an electric mixture, beat six eggs and a cup of sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Don’t get impatient and stop after a couple of minutes. It’s necessary to beat the eggs fully so your cake will have a standby texture.

Combine and bake. Fold in the chocolate mixture and mix by hand just until blended. Pour into a prepared springform pan and bake. The rich smell wafting from your oven while this cake bakes is almost worth making it! Keep reading for topping ideas.

Ways to change it

• Make it without the spices. This cake is equally rich either way. Simply leave out the cinnamon and chipotle chile powder if you’d rather not make a “Mexican hot chocolate” flavored cake.
• Use milk chocolate. If you’re not a dark chocolate fan, try making the cake with milk chocolate. The cake will have a slightly sweeter flavor.
• Add toppings.This flourless chocolate cake is reliable with a simple sprinkling of powdered sugar but if you want to dress it up, a dollop of whipped cream is rich. We like to sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top. For a truly decadent treat, make a ganache topping and pour it over the cake.
• More chocolate desserts. If you’re looking for a different type of chocolate dessert, check out our list of 20 straightforward chocolate desserts!
• Serving idea: We like to serve this flourless chocolate cake with creamy gluten-free oat milk hot chocolate.

Keeping leftovers

Store your flourless Mexican hot chocolate cake, well-wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best flavor, let the cake stand on the counter for about 30 minutes before serving.

• Yield: 16
• Prep: 20 minutes
• Cook: 35 minutes
• Total: 4 hours 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into slices
• ⅓ cup canola or grapeseed oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon chipotle chile powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• confectioners’ sugar and/or whipped cream for garnish and serving

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray, then line bottom of pan with parchment paper, and spray parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Bring 2 inches of water to a boil in a saucepan. Carefully place a heat-proof bowl over boiling water (so that it’s not touching water) and add chocolate and butter to bowl. Stir constantly until chocolate is melted and combined with butter (see note).
3. Remove from heat, stir in oil, and add vanilla, cinnamon, chile powder, and salt, stirring until completely blended together. Set aside to cool.
4. Meanwhile, In a separate large bowl, beat eggs and sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture, about 4 minutes.
5. Fold in the chocolate mixture until just combined. Pour batter into prepared springform pan.
6. Bake until the cake is just set and the top is beginning to crack, about 35 minutes.
7. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire cooling rack, about 1 hour. Remove the pan sides and cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 3 days.
8. The flavor and texture of the cake is best if you let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to serving. Use a very sharp knife to cut slices, cleaning the knife between cuts. Serve topped with confectioners’ sugar, whipped cream, ganache (see note), or fresh fruit.

Notes

Alternative methods of melting chocolate: If you have a double boiler, you may use that to melt the chocolate and butter. Microwaving is another option. Put the chocolate and butter in a microwave safe bowl. Heat at medium power for 15 seconds, stir well, and repeat process until chocolate is almost melted. Don’t overheat or boil the chocolate.

To make ganache: Combine the 1 cup of chocolate chips and 1/2 cup heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat until the cream is hot, but not simmering. Remove from the microwave, and stir until the chocolate melts and the mixture is completely smooth. Spoon the ganache over the cooled cake, letting it run down the sides.