This Passover chocolate cake recipe is made for chocolate lovers. Mousse like in texture, more like fudge than a brownie!
This fudgy, mousse-like Passover Chocolate Cake Recipe is better than fudge.
Silky and creamy and without any matzo meal or potato starch this simple cake recipe is an outstanding dessert.
This flourless fudge cake is made for chocolate lovers.
It is also gluten free, so it's perfect when you need something for everyone.
I'm not sure when flourless chocolate cake became the rage, only to be followed by little molten lava cakes, but I know that every restaurant seems to have one or the other on their menu.
And just like they are everywhere, so are the numerous recipes that extoll their virtues.
I'm not sure how old I was when my mother gave me the recipe for her flourless chocolate cake, but I think I was already out of the home-so to speak.
She used to make it quite often and so did I.
When I first got married it seems that flourless chocolate cake is what I made for everyone!
But don't get too excited because I'm not giving you that recipe.
I'm giving you a better recipe.
It doesn't involve separate beating of the egg whites and egg yolks or melting the chocolate or even cocoa powder!
No worrying about soft peaks or stiff peaks!
So, look at it this way, I'm giving you the latest and greatest.
Not because I didn't love the one my mother made, but because this one is like way simpler.
And who doesn't appreciate simple when it comes to cooking for a Passover meal?
This Passover chocolate cake recipe is different.
Its texture is more fudge like, than brownie like.
This one slides off your tongue and can be served warmed or chilled.
And it only requires one 9" pan.
Don't laugh when I say this makes 16 servings.
It can easily serve 12-maybe 16.
Yes, this beauty is rich.
Creamy rich and totally a chocolate lover's dream.
Throw a little whipped cream or ice cream on top and even a few berries, and you've got an unbelievable dessert
Passover is a special holiday for Jewish people, and it's important to have delicious desserts to enjoy following the Seder meal.
I think it helps keep everyone awake because no one wants to miss dessert!
Flourless cakes and gluten-free cakes are a good choice for those who need to avoid wheat flour.
This popular Passover dessert recipe uses primarily chocolate, sugar, butter and eggs.
No almond flour or potato starch is needed.
Like I said this cake is rich and decadent!
How To Make this Passover Chocolate Cake Recipe:
To make this flourless chocolate cake, start by preheating the oven to 350°F and preparing a 9-inch springform pan by lining the bottom with a piece of parchment paper and then greasing it.
I also cover the outside of the pan with aluminum foil just in case your springform pan leaks.
Using a food processor chop the semi-sweet chocolate and dark bittersweet chocolate until fairly fine.
Bring a half cup of water or coffee to a boil and add the sugar.
Stir until the sugar has dissolved and slowly pour this into the running food processor bowl with the chopped chocolate.
Add 2 T of unsalted butter at a time until the butter has been incorporated.
Then add one egg at a time until the eggs are mixed in well.
Add a pinch of salt and vanilla extract that is kosher for Passover.
Pour batter into the prepared pan and set that into a larger pan and fill that pan with very hot water about halfway up the sides of the cake pan.
This is a water bath!
Bake for about 25 minutes ot until a cake tester or toothpick inserted intot he center of the cake comes out with just a few crumbs.
Do not overbake.
Let the cake cool in the pan pn a wire rack and then carefully remove the sides of the pan.
For the perfect way to enjoy this flourless chocolate cake, serve it with a dollop of whipped cream and some fresh fruit on the side.
Other ideas for the top of the cake would include fresh flowers or some shavings of chocolate.
Other Additions to a Passover Dessert Platter:
Another great way to indulge your sweet tooth during Passover is with chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate covered orange peels or coconut macaroons.
When preparing for your Passover Seder table, don't forget to include traditional Passover desserts like chocolate-covered matzo toffee!
These treats are enjoyed by Sephardic Jews and Ashkenazi Jews alike, and they are sure to please chocolate lovers of all ages.
With so many gluten-free and flourless Passover dessert recipes available, I always have a hard time deciding what to make.
This flourless Passover chocolate cake recipe is one of our faves.
With lots of chocolate, I must admit it could be the perfect dessert!
This chocolate Passover cake recipe is wonderful for Passover, but I know there are chiffon cake lovers in the bunch, and I'm going to give you a link to one of my favorites.
This Bon Appetit recipe is good. Very good. I made it way back in 1997.
Ach! Where does the time go? Now my friend makes it!
But, well, I'm just a girl that loves chocolate and my Ilse's Passover nut cake, iced with a delectable mocha frosting is a huge family favorite-even on birthdays!
What can I say?
Passover is a big meal and it lasts a long time so one must pace themselves, as my father says.
It involves 4 glasses of wine, a great story, numerous traditions in proper order, and singing!
This year we are making it easy on my folks and flying to Phoenix to celebrate.
Normally we don't celebrate with them because it was hard to visit when the kids were in school and they never liked coming to Denver.
Alex and Zoe are flying in and it will be the first Passover my nuclear family has had together since their senior year in high school.
I am looking very forward to this. Like way forward. Like I can't wait!
My brother will be there too, but alas, only one of them.
I'll be doing a lot of the cooking, and that's OK. I enjoy cooking. Can't you tell?
Our Menu!
Need Some More?
Recipe

Passover Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 25 Minutes
- Total Time: 45 Minutes
- Yield: 12 Servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This flourless chocolate fudge cake is made for chocolate lovers. Mousse like in texture, more like fudge than a brownie!
Ingredients
- 8 oz unsweetened chocolate, roughly chopped
- 4 oz semi sweet chocolate, roughly chopped
- ½ c water or coffee
- 1 ⅓ c sugar
- 1 c butter
- 5 eggs
- Pinch of salt
- 1 t vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Line the bottom of a 9" cake pan with parchment paper. Grease the paper.
- Put both chocolates in food processor. Using the on/off method chop the chocolate until fairly fine.
- Bring ½ c water to boil with the sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. With motor running, slowly pour sugar water into chocolate.
- Add butter 2 T at a time.
- Add eggs one at a time to incorporate into mixture. Add salt and vanilla.
- Pour into prepared cake pan. Place in a bigger pan and fill pan with hot water until the water reaches halfway up the outside of the cake pan.
- Bake 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out with a few crumbs. Do not over bake. Remove from water bath and let cool. May be served chilled, warm or at room temperature!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks so much Amit! Hope you had a great holiday, too!
Abbe Odenwalder says
There are so many traditional foods for each holiday-I think that is why there are so many Jewish cookbooks. Thanks, Shelley!
marzia molatore says
I might try it today thanks
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
Hope you enjoy Marzia and thanks for visiting. hope to see you again!
Purabi Naha | Cosmopolitan Currymania says
OH MY! This looks gorgeous, Abbe. The flourless cake looks texturally perfect!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Purabi! it was awesome!
Pat says
Hi, Abbe...Pat here @savorthebest.com.....This is my first time at your site as I just happened to stumble onto it. Your flourless chocolate cake looks wonderful and I still have a memory in my mouth of one just like it that I ate on Sunday night. Our church had a Jewish catering service at our church to do a seder dinner and then the plate with all those goodies as well as the 4 cups of wine. Except it was Welch's Grape Juice. The menu was almost exactly as you described above we really enjoyed the dinner and am so glad to have the opportunity to experience it.
I have to confess tho that the gefilte wasn't too exciting. I loved the chocolate cake and plan to make your recipe soon. Thanks....have a wonderful Passover with your parents in AZ 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks for visiting, Pat. What fun to do a Seder dinner at church! We used to go through a lot of Welch's when the kids were small! Passover is pretty traditional but every cook has their own twist. Homemade gefilte fish is much better than jarred which I am guessing is what you had. I buy the frozen and boil it and that is always a winner. But, it is hard to find if there aren't many Jewish groceries around. Enjoy! And thank you! And visit again!
Juliana says
Abbe, this cake looks delicious, creamy and rich, I love the intensity of the color...beautifully done.
Hope you are having a great week 😀
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Juliana! It was a really good cake!
Winnie says
Decadent and mouth-watering chocolate cake
Wonderful for Passover and for any special occasion
I wish you a great holiday
Hag Sameach.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Winnie! To you, too!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Beautiful, rich and drool-worthy cake Abbe. Many blessings to you and your family during Passover. The menu sounds wonderful!
Govt Jobs says
Great Passover treat for your children. Your cakes and recipes are wonderful Abbe.
-Amit
ChgoJohn says
This is one beautiful cake, Abbe, and this chocoholic's dream come true. Love how fudge-y it looks and that flower is the perfect adornment. Your Passover menu sounds delicious. I doubt anyone will leave that table hungry. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Passover, Abbe.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Pansies make everything beautiful! Thanks john and hope you had a great Easter!
Daniela Grimburg says
Have a wonderful passover celebration in company of your children, Abbe!
This chocolate cake looks so moist and rich and I'm happy that I can invite my friends who have to stick to a gluten free diet such a treat.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Daniela! This is a great cake for anyone!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
Abbe, this is just gorgeous! I love flourless chocolate cakes, too - so fudgy and decadently satisfying yet so very, very simple (and gorgeous :D)! I also really enjoyed reading your Passover Menu - fascinating to me the food traditions inherent in the celebration of Passover. Great post (as always! :D).
Joyti says
Yum! I love the the play of light and rich in a good flourless chocolate cake. Yours looks excellent.
Happy passover 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
Great description, Joyti!
Joyti says
Yum! I love the the play of light and rich in a good flourless chocolate cake. Yours looks excellent.
Happy passover 🙂
Bam's Kitchen says
This cake looks so rich and delicious. I bet it could feed 16 or maybe just 2 hungry teenagers. Either way this is going to be a hit for the festivities this month. Great menu you have. Enjoy your time with family and friends and I am sure if you are hosting they are going to love that menu. Take care, BAM
Abbe Odenwalder says
That's sweet, Bam! It might feed 4 hungry teenagers if two of them are girls!
Karen Turnbull says
This sounds so divine...can't wait to try it!
Have a wonderful and safe trip and enjoy your time with your family!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Karen. I hope we can have a play date soon!
Laura Dembowski says
I'm sure this will be a huge hit! It looks so wonderfully decadent!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks, Laura!
kumars kitchen says
such an amazing cake Abbe,moist...chocolaty and perfect for celebrating family time,thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
🙂
Liz Berg says
I'm definitely trying your cake...and I bought matzohs just to make that toffee. Off to check out your recipe...b/c who knows where the one I printed off has gone off to! Enjoy your family time...ours will all be together for Easter.
Abbe Odenwalder says
You are going to love that toffee! Hope you enjoy this cake, Liz. It is great being together, isn't it? And if you don't get around to the toffee, matzoh keeps like forever!
Sue/the view from great island says
This is stunning Abbe! Happy Passover to you and your family!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks so much, Sue! From you, that is a real compliment!
shannon weber says
that looks amazing, Abbe! and it's nice to have a simpler version of something for Passover, especially when there seems to be so many other things to make at the same time! I'm failing miserably in my quest to learn about Jewish food traditions this year, so it's nice to see your menu up. gives me something to think about (for this year? for next year? i don't know, but at some point.). 🙂 lovely..happy passover!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Definitely, next year, Shannon! There is plenty of time. and thanks and Happy Easter to you!
Barb | Creative Culinary says
Sometimes I think it a dis-service to a cake to even call it flourless; you know as if we need to make sure people know it is lacking something. This cake lacks nothing!
Hope you and yours have a lovely time together and I'm not just talking about the girls at lunch! 🙂 See you tomorrow; can't wait.
Denise Browning says
Please, invite me in for Easter! The menu is terrific and this fudge cake is one of the best all-time treats that I have ever seen.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Well, Easter might not be so fun in my house, but you sure can come for Passover! Thanks, Denise!
Biz says
Your menu sounds delicious! I guess I'll wait to get my invitation in the mail. 😀
Abbe Odenwalder says
Any time you are here you have an open invitation!
vanillasugarblog says
that is an old recipe!
the best chocolate cakes tend to be flourless, they have the most cocoa flavor.
Abbe Odenwalder says
So right! But sometimes the old ones are the best!
Sugar et al says
This is so lovely! I love the texture of flourless cakes and this one has a mousse like feel to it...delicious. Your menu sounds amazing too!
Abbe Odenwalder says
It does have a mousse like texture, too! It was a great meal!
Adam J. Holland says
I'm not a practicing Jew, so I don't eat flourless anything — until now. Wow! That cake looks divine!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Do it Adam-just do it!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
This recipe seems too easy to be that gorgeous. I can't wait to give this a try.
Abbe Odenwalder says
That's what I thought, too. But it fools ya! And it is easy and good!
Anne Regalado says
I've been craving chocolate cake for days now but still too lazy to bake ugh ! Maybe I'll invite myself to your Passover get-together so that I can try that delicious and sinfully rich fudge cake 😉 Have a safe trip and enjoy the time with your family , and let the kids wash the dishes everyday , okay ?! lol
Abbe Odenwalder says
Oh yes-the kids did wash the dishes, until my father stepped in. He is anal in that regard! Can't sit still for one minute!
Sharon D says
Wow....I love how simple this recipe is, Abbe. I haven't mastered cake-making. Success is always 50-50 ..lol. I guess the only way I can enjoy something as heavenly as this is to get over my excuses and try until I get it right!
Have a wonderful time in Phoenix! ♥
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Sharon! And it is hard to go wrong with this cake. Enjoy!
Ansh says
That's decadent. R*E*A*L*L*Y yumm!! Ok I am completely at a loss for words.. let's just say "I hope you save me one bite of that chocolate goodness" !
Abbe Odenwalder says
You will love it, Ansh!
Holly @ abakershouse.com says
How wonderful that you can look forward to this special time with your family! Enjoy the time together and certainly enjoy your impressive menu! I love a flourless chocolate cake all year round and yours is beautiful!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks, Holly! And I agree about flourless cakes. Any time is a great time!
Balvinder says
Oh this is lovely, very moist. My flour less cake never get such fudge like texture.
Abbe Odenwalder says
I think the water bath helps to create such a creamy, fudgy texture! Try it!
Angie Schneider says
My God, Abbe, I am in chocolate heaven! The cake looks so dang fudgy and luscious.
Abbe Odenwalder says
One day, maybe we will meet there, Angie! For now, this will have to do!
Cindy says
abbe, another great post. Have a wonderful passover.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Hope you had one too, Cind! And I hope I see you soon!
Nazneen Hamilton says
Love the simple recipe and the incredibly decadent look! This looks so chocolaty and rich. Sounds like you're going to have a fabulous time with your family, enjoy your time with them!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks, Nazneen!
Kitchen Riffs says
Great cake! We make one almost identical to this, although with less butter and just a little flour. Plus some rum! And have made flourless versions, too. Super recipe, and I like the flower garnish. Have a great holiday!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Oh yes, rum! Got to have rum! I've done that before, too!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
I made a couple of flourless cake from a couple of recipes. Neither was as good as one I had as a guest. Since this dessert has been in your life for a while, I am trusting this recipe. For me more fudgy than brownie was a key phrase. I like fudgy brownies best. Aha---a match. I am a flower person big time. The photos with the pansies were wonderful.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks, Carol! This is really fudgy and the texture is good whether chilled or at room temp. Fudgy is my way to go! Pansies are my favorite flower!
Karen Harris says
Sounds simple enough Abbe and certainly looks delicious. I can't wait to try it. It sounds like you have a wonderful time with your family planned. Safe travels.