A simple flourless chocolate cake recipe made with bittersweet chocolate, ginger, and sea salt, and dusted with powdered sugar.
When you work for yourself, when a hobby turns into a job, it’s tough to measure success. And, where the internet is concerned, it’s nearly impossible.
My friend Kelly, the talented woman behind Design Crush, has an ongoing project to share a quote a day everyday this year. I must confess to kind of hating the typical quote sharing on the internet and can guarantee that I do not follow your inspiration board on Pinterest. (It’s not you, it’s me – if I never see the Keep Calm meme again it will be too soon.)
Kelly’s quotes are different. They move beyond the fluff and hint at the best quiet, focused, or selfish bits of driven people. They reveal truths, minus the saccharine. And occasionally, the smart words she shares stop me in my tracks.
This quote from Bette Davis especially has stuck with me in the months since it popped up in my Instagram feed. I’ve often thought of success in this way, but never found a way to put it so succinctly.
My first inkling that success and happiness would be elusive was the day a professor was telling me how challenging the drudgery of life as a tenured professor of art could be. And you know, all jobs really have pitfalls and politics, but still, all I could think was, “You’re complaining about the very thing I most want,” and then this kiss of death, “and if I could just have that job, I’d be happy and wouldn’t complain ever again.” Uh, suuuuuuure.
To reimagine our goals and refine our idea of success is an essential part of human nature. Lately, I’ve been focused really inward, trying to comb through all the changes and subtle shifts that have taken place. It can be hard to craft these ideas without the influence of what success looks like to the outside world, but really, our own version of success is the only kind that matters.
About the Cake
And then there’s cake. Happily, I have not even a tiny doubt about what success in this arena looks like. In this case, we have a flourless chocolate cake all decked out for the holidays with fresh ginger and a sprinkle of sea salt. Just the slightest bit gooey in the center, with a fudgy, silky crumb. This beauty can be made ahead and refrigerated, and might even be better after a day.
A simple flourless chocolate cake recipe made with bittersweet chocolate, ginger, and sea salt. Recipe adapted from Mast Brothers Chocolate: A Family Cookbook.
- unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting
- 16 ounces bittersweet chocolate (in bar form and at least 70 percent cocoa)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter , plus more for cake pan
- 2 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons powdered ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt , plus a pinch more for the top
- 8 large eggs , seperated
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch cake pan and dust with unsweetened cocoa powder. Set aside.
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In a double boiler over medium heat, melt chocolate and butter. Add grated ginger, powdered ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Stir until melted and smooth. Off the heat and set aside.
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Meanwhile, combine egg whites with 2 tablespoons sugar, and beat to soft peaks. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, whisk to combine egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar until pale and fluffy. Slowly stir melted chocolate mixture into yolks. Next, fold in egg whites. Gently spoon batter into prepared cake pan. Sprinkle top with a pinch of sea salt.
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Slide cake into oven and bake, undisturbed, 25 minutes. Slide cake out and give a gentle shake; cake should be pulled when all but the very center is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few crumbs and a little moist batter a the very bottom. Bake cake for a total of 25 - 30 minutes.
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Set aside to cool for 15 minutes. If unmolding is desired, swipe sides with a straightedge, flip out onto a plate, and flip again so the original top is facing upwards.
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Cool completely. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar.
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*Note: Cake recipe can be halved and baked in a 6-inch cake pan. Reduce cook time to 20 - 25 minutes.
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this is a beautiful post, and that bette davis quote is *gold*. it’s so easy to lose site of what’s important and what true success is, especially with so much information coming at us through the internet every day. thank you for posting this, lady! and… of course… this CAKE. (that’s what’s important, no? 🙂
Hi Molly, Cake is *definitely* what’s most important! And thanks ever so much for your kind comment.
I am so thrilled to see and get this flourless chocolate cake recipe. I am having guest from my Church for Thanksgiving and they need gluten free food. Dessert was a problem. But now I have a great dessert to offer. Thank you so much…
Elizabeth, I love how every time I visit your site there’s always something that resonates, something so profoundly beautiful to reflect on. What you’ve written is so very true — and what you’ve made, so delicious! “Just the slightest bit gooey in the center, with a fudgy, silky crumb” = pretty sure that’s heaven. Thank you for sharing this.
Wow, Cynthia! I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to hear that. And thanks for the cake crumb descriptor props –– skirting around the word moist is tough! xo
And this is why I love your blog – thoughtful without being saccharine. You do such a great job of sharing some insight within a recipe post – it’s just seamless.
Thanks so much Sandra. Your lovely words of support mean a lot to me.
That quote pretty much nailed it. Thanks for sharing! It’s really hard to measure success or whether or not one met goals especially, when it’s about a creative job and even more if it mostly takes place on the internet. There’s just so much stuff out there and it’s so very easy to lose track of what matters; it’s so easy to lose oneself in the process of comparing one’s work with other’s. It’s a thing I certainly struggle with myself.
On another note, this cake! Chocolate heaven in its purest form.
Thanks for stopping by, Sini. I agree that feeling lost in the shuffle is tough to avoid –– I hope we can all be a little easier on ourselves, just generally, but especially with online concerns.
Another beautiful, thought provoking and delicious post. I adore that Bette Davis quote (as I adore Bette Davis) and I really relate to your struggle. But in a way the idea of new goals and new achievements makes me feel invigorated instead of disheartened. But who knows how I’ll feel tomorrow? C’est la vie.
Hi Sarah, Love your positive spin on this! And yes, changing our goals to accommodate new accomplishments *is* kind of awesome. It’s important to give ourselves a second to enjoy the moment too –– my plan is to make some concrete goals for stuff, and then pop a Champagne cork for each one I meet.
seeing a new brooklyn supper post in my feed reader is like christmas every time. thank you for sharing what you share.
Jaime, you are the best. Thanks for being such a great part of the conversation.
Love this post – love the message about success and agree so much.
Thanks Liz!
I just love your writing, Elizabeth. So true about how difficult it really is to measure success. I keep telling myself that it isn’t about the numbers, it’s the fact alone that I am doing something that brings me great joy…then I go check analytics…and cry. 😉 Oh…and this cake? I’m swooning uncontrollably! I’ve been off of flour for about a month now…it’s going great, but THIS is an indulgence I can actually eat! Yay!
Ha! I’ve so been there, Caroline. And, in case it matters, I love the fresh clean space you’ve created! And thrilled to hear you can enjoy the cake! Good flour less treat are always golden.
I don’t work for myself, but I can definitely see what you mean. Defining success is so strange, so individual…luckily, it looks like you are able to “check in”, and you always know we’re here for you!! Blog readers are like little cheerleaders at the same time!! xx
Lovely cake! I really like the ginger in there 🙂
So well said Katrina! Just stopping to check in *is* an excellent way to mark progress. (And thanks for the cheerleading –– I can’t tell you how delighted I am to have you in my corner.)
I love this post and that Bette Davis quote is phenomenal. Totally adding this cake to my must-make for the holidays list!
Yay! That’s awesome to hear, Meg!
I just want to sit in this space, your space, all day long. It’s calm, thoughtful, and always beautiful.
Thanks Melissa. I am a huge fan of your clean, light-filled site, so hearing you like things over here pretty much makes my day.
This post is wonderful, Elizabeth. I squirm at many quotes, too, but the one you shared is SO GOOD. Your cake looks wonderful and I appreciate the liberal use of powdered sugar there. Nicely done, all of it.
Ha! Thanks Nicole! The thing about powdered sugar is, you can’t really undo the amount you’ve sprinkled so I just had to go with it.
Really is a great quote and oh, so true. And your post is great too. I definitely need to spend some more time hanging out here.
Hi Eva, Thanks so much for dropping by!
Chocolate and ginger. I can’t dream of a better combination. Sweet and spicy. I am gluten free for one year now, so this cake is pretty high on my list of things to bake now. It looks so beautiful.
Hi Kristie, It *is* the best combo, right? I like how the heat cuts through the sweetness a bit.
I can completely see what you mean, although I don’t work for myself, it’s hard to measure success when you are esentially ‘on your own’. Love the photos as well, that measuring cup is gorgeous in all it’s metal glory!
Hi Abby, I am so glad you noticed that measuring cup! It was my mom’s when she was little and is seriously one of my most treasured processions.
I confess to letting a tear escape your words mean so much to me right now. And “Happily, I have not even a tiny doubt about what success in this arena looks like.” YES! Also making me laugh out loud. Thank you for exactly what I needed today. <3
Katie! Wow. Your heartfelt comment mean so much to *me* right now. Thank you, friend. (And it sounds like you owe yourself a solid pat on the back. Can’t wait to see what’s up next for you!)
I can only echo the other comments – that quotation really nails it. I think it’s human nature to always be wanting more and looking forwards but sometimes we forget to celebrate our successes. Preferably with cake.
Yes! May all successes henceforth be celebrated with cake. Cheers to that, Kathryn.
Hi. Perfect quote! Chocolate cake sounds delicious. Do you think it would be ok to substitute the sugar for honey? M
Hi Michelle,
My sense is that the sugar plays an important role in the structure of the cake. It gives it height and adds a pleasant crackle to the top. But, I think if you’re ok with a more moist, dense cake, honey will likely work. Here’s a honey-based recipe I found: http://detoxinista.com/2012/05/healthier-flourless-chocolate-cake-refined-sugar-free/ And you could absolutely add a little ginger and sea salt to her recipe too. Hope that helps! (If you do make it with honey, I’d love to hear your results!)
quotes make me stabby and irrational. you remind me again that context is everything, and also to consider the source. I realized just this second that if this very same quote appeared on a Jenny McCarthy fan-blog, I might have punch my computer. when you see your values reflected back to you by people whose work inspires you, the world clicks, and you can eat cake. love this one. xoxo Justine
Love the cake- perfect to take for Christmas Eve with friends!! Yum doesn’t begin to describe this one!
I just had a flourless chocolate cake on a cruise and was hoping to find a recipe! And here you are! Thank you so very much! Question: can I use cinnamon instead ginger?? without upsetting the chemistry of the cake? Not a big fan of ginger…Thanks again!
I can’t wait to try this recipe, thanks!!
I just made this for my family Christmas eve dinner. It was delicious. I’ve never made a flourless cake and thought surely I was going to screw it up, so this was a good test for me and helped me feel confident with the process. My oven doesn’t heat very evenly so I felt the edges were a tad dry but the rest was perfect. The flavor combination is excellent and I will definitely make it again to serve to a group. Thank you!
Nice recipe! Sounds as if you don’t know the intriguing history of the “keep calm’ poster – you can learn something every day if you’re not careul.
Hi Von, Glad you like the recipe! I am familiar with the history of the ‘Keep Calm’ poster, and appreciate its place in history. I was expressing my annoyance with present day variations like ‘Keep Calm and Add Glitter’ or ‘Keep Calm and Love Katy Perry.’