Torta Tenerina (Flourless Chocolate Cake)

Torta tenerina, also known as a flourless chocolate cake or a fallen chocolate cake, is dark and rich but with a cloud-like texture. She has a crispy crackly top and an airy chocolate center.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• This torta tenerina is rich and dark but has the most cloud-like texture. 
• Can be topped with cocoa powder or powdered sugar or served with whipped cream or ice cream.
• Show-stopper for sure – definitely captures attention with its rustic look. 

This beauty has been on my bucket list for YEARS. I can’t believe I waited this long to make it because it is just a thing of beauty. 

If you’re a chocolate fanatic like me, you must try my chocolate ganache cake, my espresso brownies and my dark chocolate ice cream!  

What is torta tenerina?

Torta tenerina means “tender cake” in Italian. It’s an Italian chocolate cake made without flour and gets its structure from whipped eggs. I’ve made A LOT of sponge cakes lately with a similar process and I posted a few so make sure to check out my  baking basics page. 

This flourless chocolate cake also goes by a few other names, such as fallen chocolate cake (because the center caves back in) or chocolate cloud cake because it really is like a cloud of chocolate. 

The flavor is dark, rich and intensely chocolate but the texture is super light, airy and cloud-like which makes it so interesting when you’re eating it. You’re expecting something rich like brownies but when you take a bite, it’s light as a meringue. You just have to try it!! 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Start by melting the chocolate with the butter until they’re smooth. 

Step 2: Whisk in the cocoa powder and salt to the melted butter and chocolate mixture and let the mixture cool for a few minutes.

Step 3: Meanwhile separate the egg yolks from the whites. Beat the egg whites with the sugar just until it’s thick and fluffy and it holds stiff peaks. Don’t over-whip.

Step 4: Add the egg yolks and vanilla to the chocolate mixture, 2 at a time, whisking aggressively until they’re well combined and the mixture is smooth.

Step 5: Fold ⅓ of the meringue into the chocolate mixture until it’s well combined. Then fold in another ⅓ and followed by the last ⅓. Don’t over-mix but fold until no more meringue is showing.

Step 6: Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 45-ish minutes. The top will be puffed and hard. 

Step 7: *optional: Dust the top of the cake with cocoa powder and slice (it’ll crack on top when you slice it). Serve with ice cream or chantilly cream.

What pan to bake this cake in

The cake can be baked in:

• Half batch – 6 inch springform pan – bake for 35 minutes.
• Half batch – 7 inch springform pan – bake for 30 minutes.
• Full batch – 8 inch springform pan – bake for 50 minutes.
• Full batch – 9 inch springform pan – bake for 45 minutes.

How to know when torta tenerina is done baking

To be honest, you really don’t so follow the time recommendations. If you find that you always need to more or less time to your bakes than the recommended time, then do that here as well but there aren’t really any cues to follow because the top get’s firm and puffs up so you can’t really do a poke test unless you crack the top early. You can stick a toothpick or a knife in if you want, if there’s no wet batter then it should be good to go. 

How to serve torta tenerina

I served it with ice cream just to change it up a bit but you can certainly serve it alone as is or topped with cocoa powder or powdered sugar. 

Fresh fruit also goes well with this cake and a side of chantilly cream would take it to the next level. 

How to make ahead

To make the cake ahead of time just follow the recipe and bake it, let it cool and store it in the fridge until the day of serving. You can serve it cold or bring it back to room temperature. You can also warm it up a little in the microwave if you want to serve it slightly warm with ice cream. 

How to store finished cake

The cake can be stored covered at room temperature for 1-2 days or refrigerated for up to a week. 

To freeze, wrap the cake in plastic wrap and then again in foil. Freeze for a few weeks and thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature a few hours before serving. 

To freeze slices, wrap them individually in plastic wrap. Then place them in a freezer bag, squeezing out all the excess air or place them in an airtight container, followed by the freezer bag.