Flourless Mexican Chocolate Cake

Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12 servings

Jump to Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

I’m slowly but surely making my way through my stack of stunning books from Raincoast Books, and this is one I’ve been excited to dig into for a long time now.

two layer mexican chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting on clear glass cake plate

Flourless by Nicole Spiridakis is a seriously exciting compilation of dessert recipes that are naturally gluten-free.

I’m going to try to tell you about this book without being too gushy, but guys, seriously – gushing.

If you know me at all, you know I am not gluten-free, or dairy-free, or sugar-free… I think it’s great that some people choose those lifestyles and I also think it’s great when people who don’t get to choose have options like these fabulous desserts from Flourless.

I also think it’s important for people without dietary restrictions to be able to adapt and cook for those who have them. Now, I am not an expert in allergy-friendly baking. But the thought that maybe it doesn’t have to be so hard is really intriguing to me.

close up of mexican chocolate cake with chocolate frosting with chocolate sprinkles

I think this cookbook would be awesome for people who are celiac or choose to eat gluten-free.

I think this cookbook is even more awesome for people who don’t. Because we (gluten eaters) are the ones without the experience and arsenal of gluten-free baking mixes or substitutions.

To sum it up better than I ever could: “With these delectable recipes, you can put away the complicated gluten-free flour mixes, forget about the hard-to-find “gums”, and finally make flour-free desserts worthy of any weeknight indulgence or special occasion.”

I have bookmarked a lot (a lot) of recipes to try. They’re just so… normal. Cookies, brownies, layer cakes, cupcakes – she’s got it all. But I chose to make the Mexican Hot Chocolate Cake with Milk-Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting. The picture looked incredible, and I’ve never actually had “Mexican Hot Chocolate” anything, so I needed to change that.

The cake comes together using ground flax (which I always have stocked, and is not hard to find) and ground oats. I would recommend quick cooking oats if you are grinding at home because they are smaller and won’t be as hard to get smooth. I only had large oats, and I ground them in my food processor. There was still a bit of texture to them, and my cake had a larger crumb because of it.

two layer gluten free chocolate cake on clear cake plate on white background

The frosting is just insanely good. I don’t often use milk chocolate in anything, as I usually prefer semisweet or dark chocolate, but the sweet, creamy milk chocolate and tangy buttermilk complement the spice in the cake so well, I definitely recommend going that route.

I doubled the frosting recipe (which is reflected in the recipe below), because I like a good amount of frosting. And, besides, it’s delicious.

I was a little nervous adding the cayenne to the cake, because I’m not a big spice lover. But I did it, and I have to say I really like it! The cinnamon is the predominant flavor, but you get just the slightest bit of heat from the cayenne. If you’re not sure and not ready to try it, you could leave it out and it’d still be awesome!

ashley avatar

Pin this recipe to save for later

Pin this recipe to your favorite board

Flourless Mexican Chocolate Cake

5 from 1 vote
Flourless Mexican Chocolate Cake with Buttermilk Milk Chocolate Frosting: a rich chocolate cake with cinnamon and a hint of cayenne, smothered in creamy, tangy chocolate frosting. www.thereciperebel.com
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Servings 12 servings
Calories 424cal

Ingredients

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cake

  • 1 tsp ground flax seeds
  • 2 tsp boiling water
  • 1 cup canola oil 240ml
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk 180ml
  • 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar 200g
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free quick cooking oats 170g, ground (I use a blender!)
  • 6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 60g
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Milk Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter 230g, room temperature
  • 4 oz milk chocolate 120g, melted, slightly cooled
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4-6 tbsp buttermilk

Instructions

  • To make the cake:Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 8” pans with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray (spraying under the parchment is a good way to get it to stick to the pan).
  • In a small bowl, combine the ground flax and boiling water. Set aside 10 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flax seed paste, oil, buttermilk, coffee, brown sugar, vanilla and eggs. Add the ground oats, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon, cayenne and salt. Whisk until combined.
  • Evenly divide the batter between the two pans and bake until tops are firm and shiny, about 23-24 minutes (original recipe says 30 minutes – mine were much sooner). Remove from the oven and let cakes cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before turning them out onto the rack to cool completely.
  • To make the frosting:Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a handheld mixer) and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the melted chocolate and vanilla and beat until combined.
  • Add the powdered sugar and 4 tbsp buttermilk, and beat until a smooth, fluffy frosting forms, about 5 minutes. You will notice the color lighten as it gets close to being done. Add more buttermilk if frosting seems too dry.
  • To assemble:Spread half of the frosting on one cake layer, then top with the other layer and spread remaining frosting on top.

Notes

*You will measure your oats before grinding them

Nutrition Information

Calories: 424cal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 580IU | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Want to save this recipe?

Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.

Register Now

Tried this recipe?

Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel —
I love to see what you’re making!

Tag @thereciperebel

*This post contains affiliate links 

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

Read More

You May Also Like

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says

    I have yet to ever use cayenne in a cake but I think it sounds REALLY good!! Loving this cake and your pictures are beautiful Ashley!

  2. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says

    That cake looks amazing Ashley! I love that it’s so normal, with no crazy ingredients. That’s always my problem when I try to make something gluten free for someone, no idea where to get the ingredients that are in a lot of those recipes! This is a great recipe, I will definitely be trying it!

  3. Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says

    I would be licking everything that touched that frosting! This cake looks divine!

    • Ashley says

      Can you believe I’ve never had Mexican Hot Chocolate? I guess I probably should if I’m going to be baking mexican hot chocolate things!

    • Ashley says

      Thanks Kelly! You definitely need a good powerful blender or food processor, but I love that it uses normal ingredients!

    • Ashley says

      True! I was actually thinking that this morning! Lol. Good thing I was planning ahead…. 😉 Thanks Marcie!

  4. Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says

    We do not follow any specialty diets (well, I am vegetarian but that does not count!) But my mother-in-law suffers from Celiac so I am enjoying all the gluten-free recipes out there so I can recreate them for her!

    • Ashley says

      I think you’d love this book then Kacey! I just made my second recipe from it today — we’ll see how it turns out! If it’s good I’ll definitely be posting it too 🙂

    • Ashley says

      You know, it actually has a more cake-like texture than most flourless cakes! The ground oats act like a flour substitute, but still super good!

    • Ashley says

      Thanks Shashi! It’s always a plus when you don’t have to frost the sides! Lol. I’m always using frosting to cover mine up…

    • Ashley says

      Definitely do! I just made my second recipe from it today — hope it turns out well so I can share it, too! Thanks Alice 🙂

  5. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says

    Wow! This cake is gorgeous. I know quite a few people who have Celiac’s disease. I always try to make special desserts for them because I know sometimes they go without. No one should have to go without dessert in my opinion. For a gluten-eater, this would also be a hit! The presentation of the cake alone is enough to celebrate. 🙂

    • Ashley says

      Thanks Erin! I agree — dessert is a must for everyone! It’s always good to have a few extra options 🙂

Leave A Reply

Have you tried this recipe? Leave a rating