Paleo & Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate Cake

This Gluten Free Flourless Chocolate Cake is only 6 ingredients, including the whipped cream! It's also paleo and dairy free. Rich and chocolatey, this cake is perfectly indulgent but with clean ingredients.

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If you know me personally or have been following Prep Dish for a while, you know that I am a dedicated chocolate lover.

Most days I'm content with a simple square or two of quality dark chocolate. On days I want something a little bit extra though, this gluten free flourless chocolate cake is one of my favorite indulgences.

It's rich and lovely and is totally worthy of standing as a holiday centerpiece for Valentine's Day or a birthday. Yet it's only 6 ingredients! So if you wake up to a rainy day and feel like a cozy baking project, this would be an excellent choice for that too!

What is the nutrition like in this gluten free flourless chocolate cake?

Okay, so nutrition is probably not your first priority when you're looking to make a rich chocolate dessert. But I couldn't help highlighting a few of the nutrient-rich ingredients in this gluten free, dairy free chocolate cake. Here are a few of the highlights:

Coconut Oil (MCTs, Lauric Acid)

Much of the beneficial nutritional impact from coconut oil stems from the medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) it contains. Processed differently than other fats, your liver turns MCTs into ketones, which are beneficial for brain health. The lauric acid found in coconut also has beneficial antimicrobial properties.

Dark Chocolate (Antioxidants)

Full of antioxidants, dark chocolate is good for your heart and may even help lower blood pressure. Interestingly, consuming chocolate alongside milk may make it harder for your body to use the antioxidants found in chocolate so consider choosing dairy free chocolate!

Coconut Sugar (Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Potassium, Fiber)

Coconut sugar is made from the sap of the coconut palm tree. Some people believe that coconut sugar is healthier than regular granulated sugar both because it is less processed and because it offers some nutrients. Furthermore, likely because it contains a kind of fiber called inulin, coconut sugar has a slightly lower glycemic index, reducing blood sugar spikes. Despite these nutrients, coconut sugar should still be eaten in moderation.

Eggs (Lutein, Choline, Protein)

An egg contains 7 grams of protein and is full of lutein (good for your eyes) and choline (good for your brain). Omega-3 eggs in particular are highly nutritious. They offer up to 5 times as much omega-3 in contrast to conventional eggs. In addition, they have almost 40% less of the inflammatory omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid. As a result, I think Omega-3 eggs are worth it if you can swing it in your grocery budget.

Coconut Milk (Manganese, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Selenium, Potassium, Vitamin C, Folate)

Made of the white flesh of coconuts mixed with water, coconut milk is high in many vitamins and nutrients. Some studies have shown that coconut helps to reduce inflammation, fight bacteria and viruses and fight stomach ulcers.

Pure Maple Syrup (Manganese, Zinc)

1/3 cup of pure maple syrup contains 165% of the recommended dietary intake for manganese and 28% for zinc. It also has a lower glycemic index than table sugar, reducing blood sugar spikes.

Is this a dairy free chocolate cake recipe?

You can easily make this as a dairy free chocolate cake recipe! The whipped cream is already dairy free. The only thing you need to do is choose dairy free chocolate chips. Thrive Market (<< affiliate link) is my go-to whenever I need a specialty item like this. Both the Enjoy Life brand and the Thrive Market brand offer dairy free chocolate chips.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes! All Prep Dish recipes are designed specifically for meal prep and this beautiful cake is no exception. You can completely make the cake ahead of time and store in the fridge. I do recommend making the coconut whipped cream on the day you plan to serve but that comes together quickly, I promise!

Tips for Success with Gluten Free Chocolate Cake

This cake really is quite simple, but if you want to make sure it comes out perfectly, here are a few tips for success:

• Don't skip the bain marie:A “bain marie” is a hot water bath. It's used when baking delicate items, like this cake, to make sure the dish cooks evenly and doesn't overcook. Don't be turned off by this fancy sounding step – all if means is cooking your cake in a pan full of water. It's incredibly simple and will help ensure your cake has the best texture.
• Make Coconut Whip like a Pro: I'm such a fan of dairy free whipped cream! Even if you're not dairy free, I recommend giving it a try. It can take a bit of experimenting though, in part because different brands of coconut milk contain slightly different ingredients. I took on the task of finding the BEST coconut milk for whipped cream and you can read all about my findings here! I also made a short video demonstrating how to make coconut whipped cream here.
• Use Quality Dark Chocolate: Whenever a recipe has so few ingredients, it's extra important to choose high quality ingredients. For this cake, you really want the chocolate to shine through. Make sure to choose dark chocolate and choose chocolate that would be delicious on its own. This will help you get the decadent, chocolatey flavor you're going for.

Want to pair with the perfect wine?

If you're serving this lovely cake for a special occasion and want an excellent wine to serve with it, I highly recommend checking out Dry Farm Wines! It pairs perfectly with the silky palate of Dry Farm Wines 2020 Les Graviers FX Barc, featuring savory elements and a soft fruit profile.

Their wines are organically farmed, sugar free, lower in sulfites and free of toxic additives. They're also keto and paleo-friendly!

Perhaps most importantly, it tastes great and always leaves me feeling good the day after I drink it. If you give it a try, let me know what you think!

Give Me More Gluten Free Chocolate Desserts!

Can't get enough chocolate? You're not alone! As a gluten free chocolate lover myself, I've taken it upon myself to create quite a few delicious gluten free chocolate desserts. You are welcome 😉

Here are a few to get you started! (I also have a free chocoholics download linked below so make sure to snag that for even more gluten free chocolate desserts!)

These are also all dairy free chocolate desserts as well, as along as you choose dairy free chocolate.

Fantastic Fudgesicles: Especially now that I have kids, I love homemade popsicles! It's super easy to make a healthier popsicle with only clean ingredients that kids will still get excited about. These are sweetened with honey and are made with coconut milk, for a naturally dairy free treat.

Paleo Brownies w/ Raspberry Sauce: These brownies have a few more ingredients but, trust me, they are SO with the effort. They're rich and perfectly sweet and the tartness of the homemade raspberry sauce makes it perfectly balanced.

Pomegranate Chocolate Bark: This chocolate bark has only 4 ingredients and comes together quite quickly. This is also a fun one to make with kids. Set out a variety of toppings and let your kids each make their own customized bark!

Chocolate Bliss Energy Bites: If you want a dessert that can also double as a snack, these energy bites are a great choice. They're sweetened with dates and contain plenty of protein and healthy fats, making them satisfying as well as delicious.

Puerto Rican Rum Balls: This is a fun one as it's inspired by my time in Puerto Rico! They're a bit boozy so save them for the grownups in your house 🙂

Want more? Click below for your FREE chocoholics download for even more gluten free chocolate recipes!

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