Flourless Chocolate Torte Recipe
If you’ve ever craved an ultra-decadent chocolate dessert that’s impossibly rich, yet feather-light on the fork, you are going to swoon for this Flourless Chocolate Torte. This classic French-style treat is the ultimate expression of dark chocolate in cake form: pure, intense, satisfyingly fudgy, and entirely gluten-free. With just a handful of basic pantry ingredients, this torte comes together with remarkable ease and bakes up into the kind of show-stopping finale you’ll want to make again and again, whether it’s for a dinner party or a simple Friday night reward.

Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the magical things about a Flourless Chocolate Torte is just how few ingredients are required for such profound flavor. Each element plays a starring role, offering richness, depth, or a tender crumb that melts away on your tongue.
- Chocolate (8 ounces, semisweet or bittersweet): The heart and soul of the torte—choose a high-quality chocolate for the best flavor and that glossy, melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, cut into pieces): Butter lends the torte its luxurious richness while helping it set to that irresistible dense-yet-tender texture.
- Granulated Sugar (3/4 cup): Just enough sugar to balance chocolate’s natural bitterness, so every bite is perfectly sweet without being cloying.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): A pinch of salt brings out all the flavors and keeps the chocolate from tasting flat.
- Pure Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Vanilla adds a mellow, aromatic note that gracefully rounds out the intense chocolate flavor.
- Eggs (3 large): Eggs give the torte its lift and tender structure, binding everything together without a hint of flour.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (1/2 cup): A dusting of cocoa makes the torte unbelievably decadent and enhances both color and depth.
How to Make Flourless Chocolate Torte
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan generously and line its bottom with a circle of parchment paper. This trick makes unmolding the torte a breeze and keeps every precious crumb intact.
Step 2: Melt Your Chocolate and Butter
Set a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water (a quick DIY double boiler), then add the chopped chocolate and butter. Let the two melt together, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is velvety smooth and glossy—try not to eat it right away!
Step 3: Blend in Sugar, Salt, and Vanilla
Take your smooth chocolate from the heat and whisk in the granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. The sugar dissolves enough heat to form a silky base and the vanilla’s aroma starts to bloom right away.
Step 4: Add the Eggs, One at a Time
Next, whisk in the eggs, adding them one at a time and mixing well after each addition. This step is key for a luxurious, cohesive batter that’s rich without feeling heavy.
Step 5: Fold in the Cocoa Powder
Sift the unsweetened cocoa powder over your chocolate mixture, then gently fold it in. Work slowly and stop as soon as streaks disappear—overmixing can make the torte dense instead of dreamy.
Step 6: Bake to Fudgy Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, just until the top has developed a thin, delicate crust and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, invert onto a plate, peel off the parchment, and allow it to cool completely before serving. (Good luck resisting!)
How to Serve Flourless Chocolate Torte

Garnishes
The beauty of a Flourless Chocolate Torte is how well it showcases classic accompaniments. Dust the cooled torte with powdered sugar for a snowy effect, add fresh berries for juicy acidity, or offer a generous dollop of billowy whipped cream. Each option highlights the torte’s richness in a unique way.
Side Dishes
This chocolate masterpiece pairs wonderfully with strongly brewed espresso or a scoop of tangy crème fraîche. For something extra, consider a scoop of raspberry sorbet or vanilla ice cream—their coolness contrasts beautifully with the torte’s intensity.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the torte into elegant wedges and arrange on a platter with artful swirls of raspberry coulis. Or, for a dramatic touch, use a stencil to make cocoa or powdered sugar designs on top. Individual torte rounds, cut with a ring mold, are a stunning choice for dinner parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, any leftover torte can be kept covered at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for up to five days. The flavor actually deepens over time, so a day-old slice might just taste even more indulgent!
Freezing
This Flourless Chocolate Torte freezes remarkably well. Wrap the whole torte or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to three months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
Most often, this torte is best served at room temperature (for maximum fudginess), but if you prefer a gently warmed slice, pop it in a low oven (250°F) for 10 minutes. Or, microwave each slice for about 10 seconds—just until slightly warm and fragrant, never hot.
FAQs
Can I use milk chocolate instead of semisweet or bittersweet?
You can, but keep in mind milk chocolate will make the torte much sweeter and less intense. For best results, stick with a chocolate that has at least 60 percent cacao to maintain that deep, sophisticated flavor.
Is this Flourless Chocolate Torte gluten-free?
Absolutely—since there’s not a speck of flour, it’s a naturally gluten-free dessert! Just double-check your chocolate and cocoa powder to ensure they’re made in gluten-free facilities if required.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can swap the butter for a vegan alternative like coconut oil or a dairy-free butter substitute, but this may subtly change the texture and flavor. Choose a chocolate that’s also dairy-free for a completely plant-based version.
Why is my torte dry or crumbly?
Overbaking is often the culprit here. Check the torte a few minutes early and remove as soon as a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs—remember, it will keep setting as it cools!
How can I make my Flourless Chocolate Torte extra fancy?
Try topping with glazed berries, serving with homemade fruit coulis, or adding a sprinkling of sea salt flakes before serving. For a flavor twist, a hint of espresso powder or orange zest in the batter is lovely!
Final Thoughts
If your sweet tooth longs for drama, elegance, and full-throttle chocolate, you simply must give this Flourless Chocolate Torte a try. Every forkful promises deep flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, yet it’s so simple anyone can pull it off—so don’t wait for a special occasion to bake one!
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Flourless Chocolate Torte Recipe
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and decadent flavors of this Flourless Chocolate Torte. A gluten-free dessert that is sure to impress with its intense chocolate taste and moist, fudgy texture.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- Melt chocolate and butter: In a heatproof bowl over simmering water, melt chocolate and butter until smooth. Remove from heat.
- Combine ingredients: Whisk in sugar, salt, and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, then sift cocoa powder over mixture and fold in gently.
- Bake: Pour batter into pan, smooth the top, and bake for 20-25 minutes until set. Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Serve with powdered sugar, fresh berries, or whipped cream.
- This torte is naturally gluten-free.
- For a richer flavor, use a mix of semisweet and bittersweet chocolate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 90mg