Small Flourless Chocolate Cake (Gluten-Free)

{A Giveaway} + Valentine's Dessert: Flourless Chocolate & Pomegranate Mini Cake

Who got distracted by watching knife skill videos? I DID.
Who also decided to prep cinnamon rolls tonight for her birthday breakfast!? STILL me.

So that’s why I’m bringing the last installment of my Valentine’s meal plan a few hours later than I had planned! However, now, in all its glory we’ve got…

– Starter: Lettuce Boats with Sweet Potato, Grapefruit and Paprika Mayo
– Main: Sticky Glazed Meatballs with Cauliflower Quinoa Pilaf (GF with Vegetarian variation)
– Dessert: Flourless Chocolate & Pomegranate Mini Cake

Valentine's Meal Plan // Top With Cinnamon

{A Giveaway} + Valentine's Dessert: Flourless Chocolate & Pomegranate Mini Cake

The recipe for this lovely, fudgy cake comes from one of my recent favourite cookbooks. You may be familiar with Kamran’s blog, The Sophisticated Gourmet, in which case you’d also know his first cookbook was recently published! I’ve followed along with the behind-the-scenes pics he’s been posting on instagram for SO LONG. I craved this book, people.

And let me tell you oh how worth the wait was!

I’ve already made the bagel recipe (twice as regular bagels and three times as an adapted invention: Bagel Bread Loaf  which I posted a few months ago), the blueberry cornmeal muffins, the blondies plus now the flourless chocolate cake all of which lasted less than 24 hours. It’s an utterly gorgeous book – all of the recipes styled and photographed by Kamran himself.

{A Giveaway} + Valentine's Dessert: Flourless Chocolate & Pomegranate Mini Cake

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I only made 1/3 of the flourless chocolate cake so that it was juuust small enough for two people to share (keepin’ with the theme, guys!). I dolloped freshly whipped double cream on top and scattered on some juicy pomegranate arils. I have no clue why food seems to go all red velvet/strawberry themed for Valentine’s – pomegranates are the ancient fruit of love (..okay apparently so are quinces but they’re not red so they can get out) AND they’re red AND they’re a lot more seasonal than strawberries or raspberries (for the UK, at least). So YAY for pomegranates, beautiful books and rich chocolate cakes.

See you when I’m 19!

Notes:

– Recipe from Handmade Baking by Kamran Siddiqi (Chronicle Books)*
– I only made 1/3 of the batter from the original recipe so that it makes a small, quite thin cake (enough for 2 HUNGRY or 3-4 not-so-hungry people!).
– It’s a very rich batter which bakes to a kind of brownie-like texture. I highly recommend serving with the whipped cream, whipped coconut cream or vanilla ice  cream. Just something to cut the intensity of the chocolate flavour!
– Don’t have pomegranate? Use sliced strawberries or raspberries instead.
– This is an amazing dessert to make ahead of time. Just chill the baked, cooled cake until you’re ready to serve then decorate with the cream + fruit and EAT!

Small Flourless Chocolate Cake

A flourless chocolate cake for 2-4 people! Make with ground whisked eggs and melted chocolate this recipe is rich, fudgy and so easy.
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Course: Cake
Cuisine: French
Keywords: gluten free
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 people

Ingredients

  • 2 medium eggs separated
  • 66 g (1/3 cup) granulated sugar
  • pinch salt
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 66 g (2.3 oz) dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids) melted
  • 66 g (4 ½ tbsp) unsalted butter
  • 60 ml (1/4) boiling water

To serve:

  • whipped cream, fresh pomegranate seeds optional

Instructions

  • To make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C). Grease and line a 6 or 4-inch cake tin with some oil (Alternatively, grease 2 large muffin cups).
  • In a large bowl whisk the egg whites whilst gradually pouring in the sugar until firm peaks form.
    2 medium eggs, 66 g (1/3 cup) granulated sugar
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the egg yolks, salt, cocoa and vanilla.
    2 medium eggs, pinch salt, 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • In a small pot melt together the chocolate and butter over a low heat until melted. Pour this into the egg yolk mixture and whisk to combine. Slowly beat the boiling water into the chocolate mixture too.
    66 g (2.3 oz) dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), 66 g (4 ½ tbsp) unsalted butter, 60 ml (1/4) boiling water
  • Mix about 1/4 of the beaten egg whites into the yolk mixture to loosen it. Then pour the yolk mixture into the egg whites and gently fold together using a rubber spatula.
  • Pour cake mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 20-30 minutes, it should still be set and dry on top. (The 6" pan will need around 20-25 mins, muffin tins will need 15-20 mins). Leave to cool completely in the tin before turning out onto a plate.
  • Serve with the whipped cream and fresh pomegranate arils.
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it went! Mention @izyhossack or tag #topwithcinnamon!

*tis indeed an affiliate link. Thanks for your support!

221 thoughts on “Small Flourless Chocolate Cake (Gluten-Free)”

  1. This cake is absolutely stunning and of course perfect for Valentine’s Day. A good decadent chocolate soufflé would be my ideal two-serving dessert!

  2. words cannot express how much I love your website!
    If I could transform any desert into a two-serving size, I would say mini blueberry pies or a heart-shaped monkey bread.

  3. Any dessert shrunk to a size for two is good. As long as there is no fruit and chocolate melding. I just can’t do it. No matter what. Chocolate. OR fruit, but not together.

  4. Brownies. Lovely, decadent, fudgy brownies. But I don’t have a lot of brownie eating parties, so usually I wind up with more brownies in my tummy than any one girl should have!

  5. I’ve always wanted to try to make a lovely Creme brulee! I think they look absolutely equisite and so delicate. however, I have yet to venture out and whip 2 up because I don’t have a blow torch.

  6. Ugh that looks so perfect…pomegranates + chocolate are the bomb! Two serving desserts, hmmm, maybe some kind of loaf cake / bread? Cake is always good 🙂

  7. This looks so ridiculously good omg! This is exactly what I would want as a special dessert for two, but with double cream and raspberries instead to top because it’s just the perfect combo!

  8. Oh, this could not be more beautiful!! And I LOVE that you scaled it down for two, of course <3 this whole V-Day menu is perfection, Izy. And YAY HAPPY BDAY!!!!!!!! :D:D:D!

  9. This looks so aesthetically beautiful and yummy! I am now going to make it for my friends! If I was going to make a two-person dessert (besides this one) I would make a two person butterscotch pudding.

  10. ANY dessert?? Without a doubt it would be my grandfather’s hazelnut torte. It’s almost entirely made of hazelnuts and he puts an airy whipped cream on top.

    PS. this cake looks heavenly and I just happen to have a pom in the kitchen right now so we are definitely making this!

  11. I have a weakness for molten chocolate cakes. Add a glass of red wine in there are you have absolute perfection!

  12. Such a striking cake! pomegranate + chocolate is easily one of my favorite combinations. I can’t wait to try this recipe out this weekend!

  13. (ps- commented before I could see the dessert-for-two suggestion! Hands down a giant brown butter salted chocolate chip cookie split right down the middle. Whoever I’m sharing with gets the big half. I’ve had lots of fun with that one, shared with a friend or S.O!)

  14. Oh gosh… I think I’d want two servings of Meyer lemon cheesecake with a gingersnap crust! MmmmMmm one of my favorites 🙂

  15. If I could have any dessert be two serving it would be PIE! I love french silk and banana chocolate cream pies, but I have to eat the whole thing when I make it (I know, such a hard life, right?). Maybe it’d be possible to do mini ramekin pies?

  16. Right now, tiramisu. Tomorrow, probably cheesecake– with raspberry sauce. The next day, probably something different, but just as delicious (:

  17. Gorgeous! I love the combination of chocolate and pomegranate. Plus, pomegranate always makes everything look so beautiful!

  18. Ohh! This look amazing, I want one 🙂
    If I could have any dessert between two it would be a cheesecake, like a fridge one, or a cashew one 🙂 And I wouldn’t make it any smaller because two people can easily polish it off, aaand maybe I have, shh!

  19. Apple Raspberry Pie – it is perfect warm from the oven, with ice cream, cream, the next day – IT IS PERFECT FOR ANY TIME!

  20. A two serving dessert? Hm… Cakes and pies. I always always want a bite of everything and then there’s always so much leftover. So it’d be nice to have just one or two servings of desserts. Especially when there are so many decadent layers.

  21. you are too cute for making your own birthday cinnamon rolls 🙂
    have the BEST birthday lady! you’re already off to a great start with your cinnamon filled morning!! many happy returns izy!
    xoxo

  22. honestly, if I could have any dessert I’d choose a cheese platter for two 😉 with old amsterdam cheese, gorgonzola, creamy goats milk cheese and lots of sweet grapes and crackers and nuts 😀 ♥

  23. Happy early birthday/ v-day, girl! And this cake is so so gorgeous.

    If I could have a dessert for two, it’d definitely be a creme brulee. They’re so lovely to serve as individual portions, and can be customized to the person’s individual likings. And, not to mention, they are SO dang good.

  24. Happy Birthday!
    I love your website and photos 🙂
    And of course I love brownies 😛
    For dessert as a ‘two-serving’ type I would prepare a Molten Lava cake.

  25. This cake looks amazing! This would make any valentines day.
    If it were up to me – hmm maybe it is – I would make lemon meringue tarts for 2 to sweep my date of their feet.

  26. I really struggle to find recipes for two people – as someone who is always cooking for one – two if my Other Half is visiting – I always have to guess the measurements to make smaller portions of a dish, or I need to pick something I can freeze / eat for days as lunch. I LOVE this smaller cake idea – no tempting leftovers and the perfect sharing treat for Valentine’s Day! Thanks so much for sharing – I’m keeping this for future use 🙂

    The book sounds amazing too! What a lovely giveaway prize.

    Jo xx

    She Wears Burgundy

  27. AH! I forgot to answer your question! If I could have any two-serving desert, I would make a delicious tiramisu-for-two! It’s perk us up for a late-night date and I can’t get enough of coffee flavour.

  28. If I could have any dessert as a two-serving size… I would probably still pick one ginormous family size apple and rhubarb crumble (with vanilla ice cream AND custard – hot and cold) because it’s my favourite and the bigger the better!

  29. I would love Sticky Toffee Pudding for two! It’s one of those things that is so rich that you can’t eat too much of it so you don’t want it floating around for days. It’s just too delicious though!

  30. I love that you did this in a small proportion for 2 and the pomegranate arils are so pretty with it!It’s perfect for tomorrow!

  31. I can not go past creme burlee as my dessert of choice for two. Your choice to use a big pan is so much nice in chocolate cake than mini ones. The bigger the better in cake is my motto! From all these recipes you have tired, I have to get myself a copy!

  32. Omg. This is a such a tough choice but I cannot choose between tiramisu and flourless chocolate cake. So, maybe a hybrid of the two? Does that even exist? I’m off to find out!

  33. Your photos are absolutely gorgeous!
    For a dessert for 2, i’d have to say mini chocolate ice-cream cakes, can never say no to ice-cream 😛

  34. Goodness, this cake looks PERFECT for V-day (almost as perfect as cinnamon rolls for birthday breakfast! Happy Birthday!) I’d have to go with something lemon-y as my 2 portion dessert.

  35. Any dessert for two… (I don’t really like sharing any dessert but let’s play along lol) I would probably go for cinnamon rolls, especially because every recipe yealds so many rolls, and I end up eating it all by myself hahaha

  36. I was just at Barnes & Noble yesterday, saw this book, and started looking through it! I was thinking how much I liked it – the layout, pics, recipes. : )
    As for desserts for two…I appreciate all small-scale recipes. Anything with chocolate is popular at our house, like chocolate molten cakes!

  37. I’ll skip the fruit (does not go with chocolate in my opinion), but the cake + whipped cream look amazing! Thanks for sharing!

  38. Probably a giant milkshake or cookie (ie skillet cookie). But I’m sure I’d still find some way to be all “This is ONE serving.” I’m working on sharing.

  39. Pomegranates and chocolate is seriously one of the combinations of all time. I saw this book in the store the other day- everything in it looks so good! It’s funny because last year I made a two serving flourless hazelnut chocolate cake, also topped with pomegranates! So I guess my answer to your question would be some form of chocolate cake. Although today I’m feeling like making it a molten chocolate cake 😉

  40. Hello! I was wondering what do you mean by loosening the mixture? (I’m rather new to this baking business) By the way, your blog is amazing! 🙂

  41. This recipe looks amazing! And, is the perfect thing for my friend with the trifecta of food allergies – gluten intolerant, nut allergy and lactose intolerant.

  42. Also, if I could pick a dessert to have to serve two, it would have to be the David Burke Kitchen toffee monkey bread with banana caramel and maple pecan ice cream, which claims to be for two but actually serves waaaay more.

  43. Great gelato for two is ALWAYS a winner. Especially with some hot fudge or fresh caramel sauce on the side. Or with a side of this beautiful flourless cake 😉

  44. Yummmmm! My dream two-serving dessert would be brownie sundae, complete with either salty caramel ice cream or peanut butter ice cream, some whipped cream, and salty pecans. One for dinner and one for dessert, please and thank you 🙂

  45. I would love a small scale recipe for tiramisu! It’s my favorite dessert but since I live alone I don’t want a whole pan tempting me in my refrigerator.

  46. It would deffinetly be cinnamon buns (vegan please) because so good! The recipe from ohladycakes is to die for, you have to give it a try!

    XX Anze

  47. Ice cream sundaes for sure!! Although if I could have 2 servings of a ‘sharing platter’ dessert that would be the best 😉

  48. Some kind of chocolate cake with cherries. A version of the schwarzwalder kirsch, without too much cream and sugar :). Happy birthday, Izy!

  49. flourless cakes are always a great idea. Thanks for the tip on reducing the recipe to make it suitable for 2 people. The whole cake would be dangerous to have around my house 🙂

  50. Hi! This recipe looks so simple and yummy, I’m definitely going to try it out! Also, your photographs always make me drool! As a two-serving dessert I would loove apple pie, since I live on my own it would be a great way to treat myself 🙂

  51. This cookbook looks amazing! Thanks for the opportunity. I think I would want either a pumpkin or apple pie as a two-serving dessert. Anything with cinnamon really!

  52. This menu looks so tasty, this is a great idea 🙂 and thanks for the giveaway, that’s so so so nice from you and Kamran! I entered this amazing giveaway! :*
    Love, Virginie

  53. Pomegranates, the food of love! I love love love love love it. Also, we’ve got GF folks this weekend, so flourless cake sounds like a bomb idea. Cheeeeeers, Izy!! Still majorly enjoying your cookbook and everyone’s so excited to nab a copy on le giveaway I’m running, too 😀

  54. I’m making apple turnovers tonight, so like individual apple pies. And honestly, what I’m about to make as an individual size would probably feed two. 🙂

    Really looking forward to trying this cake; chocolate + fruit is the greatest!

  55. Gluten-free brownies or chocolate chip cookies à la mode! Baked in little ramekins and topped with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. YUM!

  56. Here in Sydney there’s a patisserie store selling Watermelon Rosewater Cake. Two servings? I’d say that wouldn’t be enough! Haha! 🙂

  57. What a cute cake! I love the pomegranate seeds on top. I would definitely make a tiramisu as a two-serving dessert. That or mini chocolate chip cookie cakes with mocha ice cream. Delish.

  58. I love cupcakes so much. I think some cupcakes with fruit (pomegranate seeds are my favorite), are the best dessert ever!

  59. Definitely this cake I made my boyfriend for his birthday once – with this awesome Serbian biscuit ‘Plazma’, orange juice and dark chocolate. Oh yeah.

  60. Wow, what gorgeous photos!! Awesome site, delectable post!

    In response to the raffle question, I would be absolutely giddy if presented with a coconut yogurt mousse, topped with any combination of peaches, mangoes, blueberries, almonds, pecans, and coconut chips. I imagine pomegranate seeds would be incredibly scrummy as well. The dessert would have to be served with a spoon to do it justice.

  61. May be asking the obvious, but the recipe that you have posted, did you already cut it in 3rd? You said that you made 1/3 of the recipe. Is it 1/3 of the recipe from the book or 1/3 of the recipe that you posted?

    My perfect dessert is a nice warm brownie.

  62. I’ve made a flourless chocolate cake before, and loved it! I found it far too decadent though, and it took me a long time to eat it – maybe doing 1/3 the recipe is a good idea, thanks for the tip. (:

  63. This looks delicious! Thanks for the great giveaway 🙂

    I’d like to try chocolate lava cake! Thank you 🙂

  64. Wow! Happy Birthday! Beautiful photos, esp the chocolate / pomegranate cake on the marble. Two serving dessert? Maybe fresh blackberry crisp, baked in a stoneware bowl.
    Or a baby sweet potato pie? Thank you for the giveaway, it’s sweet! I’ve been thinking about getting his book.

  65. Such a cute idea with the mini cake. I would like to have a pan of brownies for two, studded with blackberries and raspberries!! 🙂

  66. Yikes.. my comment poofed… Ok… I’ll try again 😉 .. So.. dessert for two… mmm dulce de leche cheesecake with a shortbread crumb crust, drizzled with vanilla bean cream sauce…yummm

  67. This cake looks so good! i love the thought of the pomegranate seeds thats an incredible look! I enjoyed your site, seems i am always looking at, cooking, or eating food of some sort! I just love food and cooking, i collect old cook books. I try to focus on Southern Cooking, food history and Etc…. Wes :)>

  68. Who cares about V-day? It’s all about the chocolate, isn’t it? That’s why I baked chocolate muffins (from the London Bakes blog, sorry) last Saturday. You can make as many as you want and share them with only the right people 🙂 But this cake looks delish too!

  69. Hey Izy – I am always so impressed by your blog! Your photos are absolutely beautiful and the recipes are always on point. I made this cake yesterday for a belated Valentine’s-ish..? picnic with the boyfriend. We were in the park on a midweek night; everyone else there were active types doing boot camp and in we strolled with our wine and chocolate cake! they totally were re-evaluating their life choices. Anyway, just wanted to say that the cake turned out beautifully and it was really great with the pomegranate seeds! thanks again, Mad xx

  70. Mine would totally have to be hot apple pie with topped with a crumble and homemade vanilla bean ice cream 🙂

  71. If i could have a 2-serving dessert it would be with brownie or chocolate cake topped with vanilla icing. Oh gosh! now I am thinking about apple pie a la mode for some reason…

  72. Anything dark chocolate! this cake looks amazing to me – if it was 2 servings, that would be great.

  73. Um, apple pie? No, wait – chocolate soufflé? Na – A giant chocolate chip cookie? Actually, maybe something with blueberries? Okay, okay, I decided: anything with sea salt on top.

  74. Mini cakes are really in this year in catering too. We’re seeing a lot of brides asking for things like this to be served to their guests.

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