Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Flour Cake with Whipped Mascarpone and Pomegranate Recipe
Like flourless gluten free chocolate cake, but with more structure and earthy depth, this tender cake is similar to a sliceable fallen chocolate soufflé when served warm. At room temperature, it has a fudgy consistency.
MAKES 1 (9-INCH) CAKE Be sure to use room-temperature eggs for easy batter-folding; you can quickly warm cold whole eggs by letting them sit in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes. The cake is best the day it’s baked, but leftovers keep well, refrigerated airtight, for 3 days; for best results, bring to room temperature or warm in the oven before serving.
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces/1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
- 10 ounces semisweet chocolate (ideally 60 to 65% cacao), roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup sugar divided
- 1 cup hazelnut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 6 large eggs, at room temperature, yolks and whites separated
FOR THE TOPPING
- 1/2 cup mascarpone
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste or pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup pomegranate seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350ºF. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with a round of parchment paper.
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Make the cake: In a large heatproof bowl set over but not touching a pot of barely simmering water, combine the butter and chocolate. Stir occasionally until the mixture is nearly melted and smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir until completely melted and smooth.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup of the sugar, the hazelnut flour, and the salt to eliminate lumps. Whisk the hazelnut flour mixture into the chocolate mixture, then add the vanilla and finally the egg yolks.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, whip the egg whites on medium-high speed until foamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and continue whipping until the whites just hold soft peaks (when you pull the whip out and turn it upside down, the egg whites should form a peak that flops over). Don’t overwhip or the whites will be difficult to incorporate into the batter and will make a denser cake. Stir one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture until just combined, then gently fold in the remaining two-thirds until no streaks remain.
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Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake until puffed and cracked and the center is firm, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool to about room temperature.
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Make the topping: Chill the bowl of a stand mixer in the refrigerator. Once cool, add the mascarpone, cream, sugar, and vanilla. Fit the stand mixer with the whip attachment and whip on medium-high speed until the mixture holds firm peaks. Chill until needed.
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When the cake is cool, release the sides of the pan, slide the cake onto a cutting board, and slice into wedges using a sharp chef’s knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean between each cut.
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Top each slice with the whipped mascarpone mixture and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds.
Photography Alanna Taylor-Tobin
