Flourless Chocolate Loaf Cake with Berry Coulis
This flourless chocolate loaf cake is rich and fudgy beyond words! A quick mixed berry coulis is the perfect accompaniment.
Equipment
- 9×5 inch loaf pan
Ingredients
Cake
- 5 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- 12 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- ¼ cup dark cocoa powder
- ½ cup finely ground almonds (almond flour, or another nut flour)
- ⅛ tsp fine grain sea salt
Berry Coulis
- 1 lb. frozen mixed berries thawed (tested with blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry mix)
- ½ to 1 cup granulated sugar (to taste)
- 1 tbsp Chambord or blackberry brandy *optional
Topping
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Chocolate pearls or gluten-free chocolate sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- For the cake: Preheat the oven to 320°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with solid vegetable shortening (Crisco) and line with parchment paper so that it overhangs the two long sides of the pan. NOTE: my loaf pan was slightly larger, which made my loaf cake short. Using a 9×5 pan with straight sides will yield a taller cake.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment, beat the eggs and sugar together at high speed until thick and lightened in color, about 5-7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter and chopped chocolate. Heat in the microwave at 100% power in 45 second intervals. Stir well with each heating, until the mixture is melted and can be stirred smooth.
- Lower the mixer speed and gradually add the melted chocolate mixture a little at a time. Mix in the dark cocoa powder, ground almonds and salt. Scrape down the bowl to make sure all the ingredients are incorporated and pour into the prepared pan.
- Place a large roasting pan on the center rack in the oven. Place the loaf pan in the pan and fill with hot water to about 1/3 up the loaf pan (hot tap water is fine, or boil a pot on the stove top). Bake for 30 minutes at 320°F. Increase temperature to 350°F and bake for about 20 minutes more, until the cake is set. The cake should have a slight dip in the center, this is normal. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan. Transfer to the refrigerator for faster cooling, if desired.
- For the toppings: Combine the chocolate chips and cream in a large microwave-safe glass measure. Microwave at 100% power for 1 minute. Allow the hot mixture to stand for 1 minute. Whisk together until a glossy ganache forms; pour over the cooled cake in the pan. Immediately garnish with pearls or sprinkles. Let stand until set, or refrigerate to speed setting.
- For the coulis: combine the thawed berries and ½ cup of sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook until the berries give off their juices, about 7 minutes. Add more sugar to taste (berry tartness will vary). Cook until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool. Place berries in a food processor or blender and pulse until pureed. Place a sieve over a large bowl and pour the berry puree through; press using the back of a spoon or rubbery spatula to force the liquid through the sieve. Discard the solids. Stir in the tablespoon of liquor if using. Transfer the coulis to a jar or cover the bowl and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Run a knife between the cake pan and the cake and remove from the pan using the overhanging parchment paper; peel away the paper and discard. Allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving.
- To serve, pour berry coulis on dessert dishes and plate chocolate loaf slices on top. This cake is also excellent served with unsweet whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Be sure to use a water bath with this recipe. This helps the loaf to gently steam as is bakes creating an even, crack-free surface.