Flourless cloud cake

Here’s a delicate and delicious Flourless Cloud Cake — a light, airy dessert that melts in your mouth like a cloud. It’s naturally gluten-free, and perfect for those who love rich flavor with a soft texture.

☁️ Flourless Cloud Cake (Chocolate or Vanilla Option)

🧾 Ingredients

Base Ingredients (Chocolate version):

• 6 oz (170g) dark chocolate (60–70%), chopped

• ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter

• 3 large eggs, separated

• ½ cup granulated sugar (divided: ¼ cup + ¼ cup)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ¼ tsp salt

For Vanilla version (instead of chocolate):

• Omit chocolate

• Use 4 oz (½ cup) white chocolate or 2 tbsp cornstarch for structure

• Increase vanilla to 1½ tsp

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep oven and pan:

   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

   • Line the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease the sides.

2. Melt chocolate and butter:

   • In a heatproof bowl, melt the chocolate and butter together over a saucepan of simmering water (double boiler method), or gently in the microwave in 20-second intervals.

   • Stir until smooth. Let cool slightly.

3. Whip egg yolks:

   • In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks with ¼ cup sugar and vanilla until thick, pale, and creamy (about 2–3 minutes).

   • Stir in the cooled chocolate mixture until fully combined.

4. Whip egg whites:

   • In a clean bowl, beat egg whites with salt until soft peaks form.

   • Gradually add the remaining ¼ cup sugar, and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form.

5. Fold it all together:

   • Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture in 3 parts, being careful not to deflate the batter.

6. Bake:

   • Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

   • Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is set and cracked slightly, and the center is just firm.

   • It will rise while baking, then collapse slightly as it cools — totally normal and part of the charm.

7. Cool completely in the pan. Once cool, carefully remove and transfer to a serving plate.

🍫 To Serve

• Dust with powdered sugar or cocoa powder.

• Top with whipped cream, berries, or a drizzle of ganache.

• Optional: Chill for a denser texture, or leave at room temp for a mousse-like softness.

💡 Tips

• Don’t skip separating the eggs — the whipped whites give this cake its signature cloud-like lift.

• Make sure your bowls are super clean and dry when whipping egg whites.

• Use good chocolate — it’s the star of the show!