Keto Flourless Chocolate Cake
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My keto flourless chocolate cake recipe yields the most fudgy, moist, addictive cake! Made in one bowl, I love how simple the ingredient list is! 4 grams of net carbs.
This keto flourless chocolate cake is a showstopper
Although I have a few keto cake recipes on the blog (hello, keto carrot cake, keto coffee cake, and keto pound cake), I have yet to create a keto cake recipe that uses NO flour of any kind–not even almond flour–until now.
It seems like a no-brainer, and honestly, this is my best flourless dessert yet. After plenty of chocolate-filled afternoons in the kitchen, I landed on a keto version that’s every bit as rich, fudgy, and decadent as my original flourless cake. This is why I make it on repeat:
- Truly rich and fudgy. If you love dark chocolate, this cake is for you.
- Made in one bowl. Less cleanup is always a win in my book.
- Deceptively simple. Melt, mix, bake, and let the oven do the hard work.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what goes into keto flourless cake, along with my kitchen notes. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Keto chocolate. I don’t recommend using sugar-free chocolate chips, as they don’t have the best texture once melted. For this recipe, use a chopped-up unsweetened dark chocolate bar. I love the Baker’s unsweetened chocolate or Ghirardelli.
- Butter. Use unsalted butter since I’m already adding salt to this recipe. If you only have salted butter, omit the added salt.
- Granulated sweetener. I love allulose, as it dissolves like white sugar and doesn’t leave the cake batter gritty or wet. I did test this with monk fruit, and it worked out well.
- Salt. To amplify the other ingredients.
- Espresso powder. Optional, but it’ll intensify the chocolate flavor, and you won’t be able to taste the espresso.
- Vanilla extract. I love the subtle vanilla flavor over the richness of the chocolate.
- Eggs. Room-temperature eggs are best, as they don’t firm up the butter when added to the batter.
- Cocoa powder. I’ve tested so many different kinds of cocoa powder over the years, and I always prefer unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder for its richer, smoother flavor.
- Frosting. Make a chocolate ganache with melted sugar-free chocolate chips and coconut milk, or buy keto frosting at the store.
How to make keto flourless chocolate cake
Step 1- Prep. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease an 8-inch cake tin and cover it with parchment paper.
Step 2- Melt the chocolate. Using a microwave or saucepan, melt the chocolate and butter until combined.
Step 3- Make the cake batter. To the chocolate mixture, stir in the sweetener, vanilla, and espresso powder. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking as you go. Add the cocoa powder and stir until just combined.
Step 4- Bake. Pour the batter into the cake pan and bake for 25 minutes or until a crust forms on top.
Step 5- Cool, frost, and serve. Remove the cake from the oven and let cool completely in the tin. Remove from the tin, frost, and serve.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Avoid overbaking. This is my most important tip. Flourless cakes should be fudgy and slightly soft in the center. Since it continues to cook as it cools, remove it from the oven as soon as the edges are set and the center still has a slight jiggle. If you’re using a thermometer, aim for an internal temperature of around 200°F.
- Let it cool completely. The cake will seem delicate when it first comes out of the oven, but it firms up considerably as it cools. I’ve found the texture is even better after a few hours at room temperature.
- Leave 2 inches of parchment paper sticking out. I like to leave about 2 inches hanging over the sides so I can easily lift the cake out once it’s cooled. A springform pan works well too.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover cake should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
To freeze: Wrap leftover cake slices in parchment paper, transfer them to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw it overnight before serving.
To enjoy: If refrigerated, let the cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. The texture becomes even fudgier as it warms slightly.
More low carb cakes to try
Keto Flourless Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened chocolate chopped finely
- 1/2 cup butter dairy free, if needed
- 3/4 cup allulose
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
Frosting
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease an 8-inch cake tin and cover with parchment paper, leaving 2 inches overhanging for easy removal.
- Using a microwave or small saucepan, heat up the chocolate and butter, and whisk until combined.
- Stir through the allulose, along with the vanilla and espresso, if using it. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating into the batter gently, until smooth. Add the cocoa powder until just combined- do not overmix.
- Transfer the batter into the cake tin. Bake the flourless keto chocolate cake for 25 minutes, until a gentle crust has formed on top and the center still has a slight jiggle.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the tin. Remove from the tin either using the parchment paper overhang or flipping it gently onto a plate. Frost it and enjoy.
Thank you so much for posting this! Is there any way I could substitute the oats for coconut flour for the vegan version?
That won’t work at all, it will crumble 🙂
Dear Arman,
I am SO happy I found your page. Your recipes are fantastic and they always work. THANK YOU
You are so welcome 🙂
Thanks for sharing the recipe. I was looking for something to make for Easter that didn’t use almond flour since my brother-in-law is a allergic to nuts and I found your recipe thank you so much for sharing having a hard time finding recipes with out almond flour. I made it for Easter and it was a big hit I am made it for my mom for mother’s day thanks. Hope you have a blessed day.
Thank you so much for the feedback, Priscilla- Hope you had a fantastic Easter!
I’m making the Paleo version, but with only 2T of cocoa, it is not very brown (chocolate). Is there something missing in the recipe?
Nope, I used dark cocoa powder, which is a darker consistency.
how is this vegan? it contains eggs
Did you check out the vegan option? There is no eggs in it at all.
Hello. I just made this cake. It tastes good but it is very thin. Any way how to get it to rise?
I just made this keto version. Takes really good but it very thin. How do I make this rise?
Hi Becky! I sometimes use a smaller pan for thickness 🙂
Can you use almond flour and almond milk instead of coconut milk and coconut flour?
That won’t work or come out correctly!
Hi there. Which version does the nutritional info relate too ?
The keto version 🙂
Looks delicious! Can I substitute almond milk for the coconut milk in both the cake and frosting?
Hi there! sure, that should be fine 🙂
How is this vegan if it requires eggs?
Did you see the clearly stated vegan option?
Hi,
Does the nutrition facts include the frosting?
Thanks.
Hi it doesn’t 🙂
So… What’s the nutrition I go for the frosting?
It depends which one you use, so best to calculate it based on your ingredients.
Hi,
Any substitute to eggs in the veto version? and is the cocoa powder unsweetened ?
Nope, not that I have tried! Yes, unsweetened cocoa powder!
Have you ever tried scaling down this recipe for a personal sized cake? Or tried baking in smaller pans for multiple individual cakes? I would like to bake the keto version but I can’t finish a whole 8×8 pan by myself.
Just bake it up and freeze leftovers- They freeze beautifully 🙂
Is there a sub for chocolate chips?
Not that I have tried!