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Far better than brownies, Flourless Chocolate Tea Cake is a treat beyond amazing! Toasted almonds and olive oil are the stars to keeping this gluten-free tea cake moist, while rich semi-sweet chocolate and less than a cup of sugar keep it super yummy. Who’s missing gluten now?

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Enjoy this post that could easily be called:

When baking gives you crumbs,
reach for the ice cream…

While searching for recipes to satisfy a deep chocolate craving, I discovered this flourless tea cake recipe featured on the Bon Appétit website.

Flourless Chocolate Tea Cake

ABOUT THIS RECIPE
(per serving)

Gluten Free
Servings | 12
AVG. Maker RATING: 
5 from 1 vote
Write a Recipe Review
Prep Time :10 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course : Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine : American, British, International
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Calories 312
Fat 21.8
Carbohydrates 27.9
Protein 6.1

Years ago, a British-born friend introduced me to tea cakes during our weekly play dates for our toddlers. While the kiddos played, we visited, studied our Bibles, and nibbled on—you guessed it—wonderfully delicious homemade tea cake while sipping English Breakfast tea from our Corelle teacups with saucers.

Corelle Teacup

In my tea cake primer, my friend explained that tea cake in the U.S. is a loose term. It encompasses almost anything from southern cake-like cookies to moist-textured sweetbreads and loaf-style cakes served alongside tea.

However, in Britain, where her family and tea cake originated, her modern version was a dense-textured dessert cake seldom iced. She made it with rich ingredients like butter, eggs, and chocolate, or fruits and spices—and, as the name implies, it is traditionally served with afternoon tea.

I instantly became a fan. 

Scroll to the recipe card below to print, email, or save to your favorites.

Please let me know in the comments below if you have questions or if you tweak the recipe. I’d love to hear from you!

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Sans my celiac diagnosis...

Following my diagnosis of celiac disease, I naturally began incorporating dessert recipes free from wheat flour into my kitchen. After exploring flourless baking, I realized that it’s often easier to make desserts that don’t call for wheat flour than those that incorporate a gluten-free flour substitute.

After extensive experimentation, I can tell you that flourless baking may sometimes seem daunting, but it needn’t be. Your allies include nuts, egg whites (and yolks), fresh fruit, and good chocolate.

My biggest challenges...

The biggest challenges to achieving an outcome where the baking sticks together are using egg whites for the loft and including the right amount of ground nuts for additional “oomph,” as my grandma would have said.

Thus, I’ve become enamored with the magic of whipped egg whites and cream of tartar, achieving the perfect frothiness before adding granulated sugar and beating to firm peaks. And, yes, the ground nuts are essential, too.

Okay, maybe that’s the culinary geek in me speaking.

Achieving beautiful cakes without flour...

But seriously, when it comes to achieving beautiful cakes without flour, the first thing to remember is to bring your egg whites to room temperature. Letting them sit for at least 20 minutes before using them will increase their volume when they’re beaten.

So, bringing your egg whites to room temperature IS tremendously helpful. And while using ground nuts (all-important as they are) is noteworthy, you also need to know that my efforts do not always produce flawless, bound-together, picture-perfect desserts.

Be warned, if you’re a perfectionist, you may want to stop reading and disregard this recipe altogether, but I’d encourage you to stick with me.

Flourless Chocolate Tea Cake
After wrangling with “if” or “if not” to show and tell you about less than picture-perfect blog-worthy recipes, I’ve decided straight up to share this un-pretty attempt at Flourless Chocolate Tea Cake.

What you need to know...

Before putting recipes on my blog, I typically make each recipe at least two to three times to ensure they will work for you. After completing this recipe with perfect results a few times before, it frustrated me to feel like I had failed on this attempt since I was ready to take pictures and do the final revision of the recipe notes.

And I can’t stand feeling like something has beaten me.

So, here’s where this attempt in making Flourless Chocolate Tea Cake went wrong:

After beating the egg whites to perfect peaks, instead of adding them individually, I added them all at once, folding them into the chocolate mixture too quickly and vigorously. Because the combination is dense, I wanted to ensure I thoroughly blended the egg whites. I should have resisted that temptation.

Alternatively, I should have used a light hand to gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture in two additions until incorporating them. Doing this will dramatically affect how the cake rises as it bakes.

Because the mixture was over-blended (even though it puffed up as expected), it continued to rise well above the edges of the pan, leaving the sides unsupported and producing a crack down the center of the loaf and around the outside edges. When it came out of the oven, that caused the cake to sink in the middle as it cooled, and those edges crumbled and fell off.

The takeaway is when you add the egg whites to the chocolate mixture, fold them into the batter as gently as possible using a flowing motion. Then stop!

As difficult as it is, you must resist the temptation to blend thoroughly.

Here are a few more tips to prevent sinking cakes:

  • Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar at a moderate speed, not high. Doing this will create more stable, frothy bubbles.
  • With the motor running, gradually add the granulated sugar to the egg whites at high speed, beating until firm peaks form.
  • It’s super important not to beat the egg white mixture too long; adding too much air to the batter before it bakes will collapse the cake as it cools.
  • Don’t let the batter sit around. Preheat the oven before getting started so it’s ready to go when the batter is in the prepared pan and ready for baking.
  • Put the cake in the oven and let it bake undisturbed. Please don’t open the door during the first 80 percent of its baking time.
Gluten-Free Food: Flourless Chocolate Tea Cake
In the end, even though the tea cake didn’t turn out picture-perfect, the taste was still amazing. We gobbled up every delicious bite presenting it flawlessly as a chocolaty crumble served with ice cream on top!

A final note about pans:

When I previously made this recipe, I used a metal pan lined with parchment paper to lift the warm cake from the pan. This time, I used my pretty white ceramic bread pan because I thought the contrast of the chocolate bread against the white would make a stunning picture.

While there was a contrast, and the pan was beautiful for the picture, using a metal pan would’ve made a BIG difference in how the bread baked. And I forgot about using parchment paper. Lesson learned.

Understanding the limitations of your baking pans...

Now, hear me out before you run out and replace your baking pans. When deciding what baking pan to use, you need to understand the limitations of the type of materials used in making it, then use that knowledge to accommodate the food you are baking.

More aptly said, if your recipe isn’t turning out the way you expect, it might be your bakeware, not the recipe.

Using glass pans:

Glass is an insulator. It takes longer to heat up than metal, but once it does, it will likely remain stable, and the heat distribution will be uniform. You may need to extend your baking time by five to ten minutes or more to compensate.

Glass pans are suitable for most cakes and pies because they maintain heat relatively long at a lower temperature while the food bakes. Still, glass is not great for baking cookies, which bake for a shorter time. Glass bakeware is more expensive and heavier than metal; it can shatter if its temperature changes too rapidly, and it’s not available in large sizes.

Pans made from metal:

Metal pans conduct heat better, but they often get hot spots. To compensate for this, you may find that rotating your pan midway through baking helps. They also heat up and cool down quickly, making them perfect for items baked at higher temperatures for shorter times, like biscuits and cookies.

Lastly, metal pans with dull finishes absorb heat faster than shiny metal, so cookies baked on darker-colored cookie sheets can get too dark on the bottom before finishing baking on top.

My metal pan preference:

My preference for metal pans is heavy-duty professional-grade bakeware made with a non-stick coating. Investing in better-quality bakeware may cost you a little more on the front end, but they will last a lifetime compared to a less-priced brand, and I believe that they bake things better.

When choosing brands, I stick with American-made. Whatever bakeware you select, when looking to buy, please search for a manufacturer that advertises that their coating is bonded to the metal so that it won’t scratch or scrape off.

Lastly, even though my bakeware states that it’s non-stick, I usually lightly grease the pan or use parchment paper to prevent my baked goods from sticking to the surface.

Flourless Chocolate Tea Cake
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💭 Before you get started...

If you have made it this far, I wonder if you’ve tried making this recipe. And, if you did, have you found the tips for making it helpful? Please let me know in the comments area following the recipe below.

Oh, and don’t forget to rate it so others can decide if they want to make it, too!

XXO

Flourless Chocolate Tea Cake

Make it picture perfect every time!

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Flourless Chocolate Tea Cake

Far better than brownies, Flourless Chocolate Tea Cake is a treat beyond amazing! Toastedalmonds and olive oil are the stars to keeping this gluten-free tea cake moist,while rich semi-sweet chocolate and less than a cup of sugar keep it super yummy.Who’s missing gluten now?
Kymberley

@ GfreeDeliciously

5 from 1 vote
Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review! It’s super helpful for others and us!
This recipe may contain affiliate links. For more information, visit our Affiliate Disclosure.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, British, International
Servings 12
Calories 312 kcal

EQUIPMENT

  • Bread Pan
  • Utensils, Whisk, Rubber Spatula, Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Parchment paper

INGREDIENTS
 
 

INSTRUCTIONS
 

  • Preheat oven to 325ºF. Lightly spray an 8.5” x 4.5” loaf pan with coconut oil spray, then line with parchment paper leaving parchment to extend the pan on each side.
  • Pulse cocoa powder and 1 cup toasted almonds in a food processor until very finely ground (about 1-minute).
  • Microwave the chocolate and ¼ cup water in a microwave-safe bowl for 20-second intervals (or heat in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water), occasionally stirring, until melted.
  • Whisk chocolate, oil, and salt together. Add almond mixture, half the granulated sugar, and the egg yolks and stir until incorporated.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar at moderate speed until frothy. With the motor running, gradually add the remaining granulated sugar to the egg whites on high speed, beating until firm peaks form.
  • Using a light hand, gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture in two additions until they’re incorporated each time.
  • Scrape the batter into the prepared pan; top with the remaining 2-tablespoons sliced or roughly chopped almonds and the coconut palm sugar.
  • Bake until the top is firm to the touch when gently pressed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (approximately 50-75 minutes).
  • Cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Using the parchment paper, gently lift the tea cake from the pan and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy it!

YOUR OWN NOTES

KITCHEN NOTES

You can make the tea cake up to four days in advance. To store, wrap tightly in waxed paper, then place it in a zipper bag. It may be kept at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 27.9g | Protein: 6.1g | Fat: 21.8g | Saturated Fat: 5.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11.1g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 219mg | Potassium: 165.9mg | Fiber: 3.2g | Sugar: 23.5g | Vitamin A: 26.7IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 43.8mg | Iron: 1mg
Keyword cake, chocolate, eggs, entertaining, flourless

Did You Make This?

I love seeing what you make! Be sure to tag me @kymberleypekrul on Instagram.

Recipe Card powered by WP Recipe Maker 

(Nutritional values are an approximation. Actual nutritional values may vary due to preparation techniques, variations related to suppliers, regional and seasonal differences, or rounding.)

Copyright © 2017-2025 Kymberley Pekrul | GfreeDeliciously | gfreedeliciously.com | All content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. However, copying and/or pasting full recipes on social media is strictly prohibited. Please read my Photo Use Policy for detailed guidelines and further clarification.

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Kymberley @gfreedeliciously

Hi, I'm Kymberley, the creator of GfreeDeliciously and the Amazing, Glorious Journey Programs. I pray that my work will inspire you to honor your body through God and Good Food from the inside out, all while enjoying your Amazing, Glorious Journey!

Take a peek at the behind GfreeDeliciously

Being creative, cooking, fresh veggies, the violin, decorating for holidays, sewing, hand-quilting, cowgirl boots, country music, fresh herbs in pots, blowing dandelions to the wind, walking barefoot in the grass, hanging out with eclectic interesting people, reading, writing, warm lazy summer days, and yoga!

Gluten, cilantro, mixed vegetables (the frozen kind I grew up with), negativism, rudeness, narcissism, overstaying a welcome,
not helping out, liars, promiscuity, cockiness, know-it-alls, being overly-dramatic, goal-less-ness, poor hygiene, chauvinism, lacking a sense of humor, excessive competitiveness, Laziness, horrifying spellers, people-bashing, criticism and mockery of others and their beliefs, flakiness (because flaky people are really unappealing), more swagger than substance, people who constantly manage others (those folks who think they have all the answers…)

Lambrusco, my iPad, popcorn suppers, dark chocolate, cookbooks, Almond-Rocca, historical romances, sun-bathing, weekend coffee with a good book in bed, PBS cooking shows, romantic comedies, cozy sweaters, fuzzy socks, and fragrant bubble baths with soft music and wine…

Say please and thank you, LAUGH, Pray often, ENCOURAGE others, Be KIND, HONEST, HAPPY, Keep your PROMISES, Be GRATEFUL, Wash your hands, FORGIVE yourself and others, LISTEN, Have FAITH, Be CONFIDENT, Honor your parents, CHERISH your children and grandchildren, TREASURE your family, ABIDE in GOD’s love, Be POLITE, Guard your HEART, SEEK your purpose, FEED your mind, body and soul, Be HOPEFUL, Resist temptation, Lay your burdens down, TRUST your gut, CONNECT with nature, Know that GOD made you perfect just the way you are, SERVE others, LIVE to love, Be COURAGEOUS, Shine bright, OPEN your mind, RESPECT differences, HONOR your inner hunger, SING loud, Be PROUD of who you are, Practice PATIENCE, Never give up, WEATHER the storms of life, Say I love you, LOVE one another

  • I’ve traveled to 32 states in the USA where I’ve enjoyed the food, history, people and the local culture while visiting.
  • Among the states, I’ve lived in are Arizona, California, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
  • My favorite island is Maui.
  • I’ve also been to Canada and Mexico.
  • I rode horses as a kid, and barrel-raced.
  • I broke my neck when I was 18 and went to senior prom in a neck brace.
  • As a little girl, I grew up living next door to my grandma and grandpa on a small lake in rural southern Michigan.
  • The first thing I learned to cook was pancakes.
  • The craziest thing I ever made was mint-flavored green cupcakes when I was 13. My family didn’t like them much…
  •  

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A self-taught Gfree lifestyle expert on [most] gluten-free things, I’ve always loved cooking and creating delicious foods from scratch for myself and those I love.

My journey began when everything I thought I knew about cooking and eating suddenly changed when I discovered I was celiac. So, I re-learned how to eat, cook, and navigate through life gluten-free – trusting God and His plan for me.

I live in the Holylands of Central Wisconsin. All the recipes you’ll find here are gluten-free and inspired by the people and places I love most. Whenever possible, I cook with seasonal ingredients using fresh whole foods, making dishes suitable for everyday life and bringing food lovers together at the same table. I hope my recipes, and tips can make your life a little easier.

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