Chocolate Ricotta Cake {Flourless}

This chocolate ricotta cake is so rich and creamy that I almost don't want to call it a cake. The texture reminds me of chocolate mousse. It's rich but not overly sweet and surprisingly light.

And, because the cake uses almond flour instead of wheat flour, it's naturally gluten-free.

Ingredients Needed to Prepare this Recipe

• White granulated sugar. There's just enough sugar in this cake to make it sweet without even approaching cloying. This cake is a rich and creamy kind of dessert, not a sugary sweet one.
• Butter. I like to use salted butter, but if you want your cake to have less salt, use unsalted.
• Salt. Salt is essential in all sweet treats, but is especially great with chocolate. The trick is to use just enough to boost the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste salty.
• Vanilla extract and almond extract.
• 4 large eggs + 1 egg yolk. That extra yolk makes this cake even more rich and creamy. It's important that the eggs be at room temperature before adding them to the batter. Cold eggs will not emulsify into the batter as well as those that are at room temperature. Here's how to bring eggs to room temperature quickly.
• Whole milk ricotta. It's important to use whole milk ricotta and not skim milk in this cake.
• Almond flour, ground extra fine or super fine. Almond flour is simply almonds that have been ground to a powder. For the smoothest, creamiest texture in this cake, use almond flour that's ground to a very fine consistency. I used Bob's Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour.
• Dutch process cocoa powder. Dutch process cocoa, or "dutched" cocoa, has been treated with an alkalizing agent to lessen its acidity, creating a smoother chocolate flavor than natural cocoa which is more acidic and sharper tasting. I prefer the flavor of Dutch process cocoa in this cake, but if you only have access to natural cocoa, feel free to use that instead.
• Blanched almonds, cut into slices or slivers.

What To Serve with Chocolate Ricotta Cake

This creamy chocolate ricotta cake is perfectly delicious eaten all by itself with no extra adornment. But, I think it's even better with one or more of the following toppings:

• Easy Berry Sauce, made with fresh or frozen berries. It doesn't get any easier than this delicious 10-minute berry sauce! Use whatever kind or combination of berries you like, fresh or frozen.
• Powdered sugar. Dusting the top of this cake with a thin layer of powdered sugar is a simple and elegant way to dress it up that will take all of 2 minutes.
• Sweetened whipped cream. Beat a couple of tablespoons and about a teaspoon of vanilla extract into a cup of heavy whipping cream and serve each slice with a generous spoonful of whipped cream.
• Chocolate and orange is a delicious flavor combination that can be achieved by garnishing this cake with a ring of easy Candied Orange Slices.
• Ice cream. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is a no-brainer here. But, honestly, pretty much any flavor of ice cream would be delicious with this cake.
• Hot Fudge, Salted Caramel Sauce, Butterscotch Sauce, Caramel Rum Sauce, Whisky Sauce, or Cherry Sauce. A drizzle of any one of these decadent dessert sauces is luxuriously delicious on this cake. Make it even more indulgent by adding ice cream or whipped cream.

Step-by-Step Photos and Instructions

Separate the eggs so that the yolks are in one bowl and the whites are in a seperate bowl.

Use an electric mixer to beat sugar, butter, salt, almond and vanilla extracts until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture. This will take between 3-5 minutes. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice.

Add the egg yolks to the batter one at a time. After each addition, beat on medium-high speed to completely incorporate one before adding another.

Add the ricotta cheese and mix until blended.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the almond flour and cocoa powder and mix on low speed just until everything is blended.

Use an electric mixer/ whisk to beat the egg whites until they are frothy. Slowly sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar into the egg whites and continue beating them until they can hold their shape.

Very gently, fold the beaten egg whites into the batter. Mix just enough to barely incorporate the whites. Some streaks of white in the batter is ok!

Spread the cake batter into a springform pan and sprinkle the almonds over the top, distributing them in an even layer.

Time to bake!

Set the cake on a wire rack and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.m Carefully run a knife or a flat spatula around the outside of the cake to ensure none of it is sticking and release the side of the pan.

Allow the cake to cool completely before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage Information

This cake will stay creamy and delicious for up to 3 days. Keep it wrapped or covered to prevent it from drying out and store it at room temperature.

The cake also freezes well. Wrap it in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer to protect it from freezer burn. Freeze the cake for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw at room temperature for about 12 hours before serving.