Flourless Pistachio Cake with Chocolate Ganache

Flourless Pistachio Cake with Chocolate Ganache

Indulge in the rich, nutty flavors of this Flourless Pistachio Cake topped with a luscious chocolate ganache. Perfect for those who love a decadent treat without the gluten, this cake combines the smoothness of pistachio with the zesty hint of orange and the rich darkness of chocolate. Let’s bake a masterpiece!

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups (220 g) pistachio flour
  • ¾ cup (80 g) almond flour
  • 2 tablespoons (16 g) cornstarch
  • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest, very finely grated
  • 6 large eggs, at warm room temperature
  • 10 tablespoons (140 g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 2 tablespoons (28 g) extra virgin olive oil
  • ¾ teaspoon pistachio extract

For the Ganache Topping:

  • 5 oz (140 g) 60-70% dark chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 oz (28 g) 30-35% milk chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 cup (238 g) heavy cream

Directions

  1. Prepare the Cake Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and line the bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper, then butter the parchment lightly.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift the pistachio flour, almond flour, cornstarch, and salt together into a mixing bowl; set aside.
  3. Prepare the Sugar: Rub the orange zest into the granulated sugar until fragrant and evenly distributed.
  4. Whip the Eggs: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the eggs on medium speed until frothy. Gradually add the orange sugar mixture, increase the speed to high, and whip for 7 to 10 minutes until the mixture is very pale and forms solid ribbons.
  5. Prepare the Butter and Oil Mixture: Place cubed butter in a heat-proof container. Microwave at 50% power in 10-second intervals, stirring between each until soft but not melted. Mix in the olive oil.
  6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low, gradually add the butter and oil mixture to the eggs. Then, gently add the pistachio extract. Fold in the sifted flour mixture just until no dry streaks remain.
  7. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan, then remove and, if needed, trim the top to level.
  8. Prepare the Ganache: Place the chopped chocolates in a heat-proof bowl. Warm the cream in a saucepan until it begins to steam, then pour over the chocolate. Let sit for 30 seconds, then stir from the center outwards until smooth.
  9. Finish with Ganache: Pour or spread the ganache over the cooled cake. Let it set at room temperature, then refrigerate for 2-3 hours. For a neat presentation, use an acetate strip to wrap the cake while the ganache sets.

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 350 kcal per serving
  • Servings: 12

Storage Tips

Store the cake in the refrigerator, wrapped with acetate or parchment at the cut edges, for up to 5 days. Enjoy this cake at room temperature for the best flavor and texture experience.

This Flourless Pistachio Cake with Chocolate Ganache is not just a dessert; it’s a celebration of flavors that are as luxurious as they are satisfying. Happy baking!

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Flourless Pistachio Cake with Chocolate Ganache


  • Author: Dulcia
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

The combination of nutty pistachio flour and rich chocolate ganache creates a luscious dessert that’s both gluten-free and indulgent. This Flourless Pistachio Cake is perfect for special occasions or whenever you crave something sweet and unique.

The cake is light and moist, with a delicate pistachio flavor complemented by the smooth and creamy ganache topping. It’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just for yourself, this cake is sure to impress with its delightful taste and beautiful presentation.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

2 cups / 220 g pistachio flour*
¾ cup / 80 g almond flour*
2 tablespoons / 16 g cornstarch
¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 ¼ cups / 250 g granulated sugar
1 teaspoon orange zest, very finely grated
6 large eggs, at warm room temperature**
10 tablespoons / 140 g unsalted butter, cut into cubes
2 tablespoons / 28 g extra virgin olive oil
¾ teaspoon pistachio extract
For the Ganache Topping:

5 oz / 140 g 60-70% dark chocolate, finely chopped
1 oz / 28 g 30-35% milk chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup / 238 g heavy cream


Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and line the bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan (ideally with a removable bottom) with parchment paper; lightly butter parchment.
Sift pistachio flour and almond flour together into a mixing bowl along with cornstarch and salt; set aside.
Rub orange zest into granulated sugar until fragrant and evenly distributed.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip eggs on medium speed until frothy. Add orange sugar mixture and increase mixer speed to high and whip for 7 to 10 minutes or until eggs are very pale and fall from the beater in solid ribbons that slowly dissolve into the rest of the mixture.
Place cubed butter in a heat-proof measuring cup or container. Microwave at 50% power for 10 seconds, then stir. Repeat, microwaving in 10-second intervals, stirring in between, until butter is just soft enough to flow with no solid chunks but is not fully melted and separated. It should be the approximate consistency of ranch dressing.
Add olive oil to butter and stir to combine.
With the mixer running on low, gradually pour butter and oil mixture in with eggs, a spoonful or so at a time, letting it incorporate fully before adding more. The batter will lose some of its volume. Add pistachio extract.
Add sifted pistachio flour, then mix on low speed for a second or two, or fold in with a wide spatula, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl as you go, until flour is just incorporated and no dry streaks remain.
Pour batter into prepared cake pan. If your pan has a removable bottom, set it on a baking sheet (just in case).
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is no longer fluid, edges are light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Remove from oven and set on a wire rack and let cool. Run a knife around the edge of the cake, then remove sides (or invert to remove it from the pan). If the top is domed, you can press down slightly with a lightly greased spatula or very gently trim off the top to be level once the cake is cooled (the cake is much more fragile than typical layer cakes).
Cut a strip of acetate to fit around the circumference of the cake. Wrap tightly and secure with tape. Optionally place the cake back into the (cleaned) cake pan for additional support. (Note: if you skip the acetate, see the alternate assembly method instructions and treat the ganache more like frosting).
For the Ganache Topping:

Place chopped chocolate in a heat-proof bowl.
Warm cream in a small saucepan over low heat until it just begins to steam (don’t let it fully boil).
Immediately pour hot cream over chopped chocolate; let sit for 30 seconds, then gently stir or whisk, starting in the center and moving in small concentric circles outward, until the chocolate is fully melted and emulsified.
While ganache is still warm and fluid, pour on top of acetate-wrapped cake. If the top is level and the sides tight against the acetate, it should settle into a neat, even layer.
Alternatively, if you don’t have acetate or don’t want to assemble it that way, let your ganache cool at cool room temperature, stirring gently every 10 to 15 minutes, until it firms to a spreadable consistency, then spread or pipe onto completely cooled cake.
Let the ganache cool gradually at room temperature for about an hour, then sprinkle with slivered pistachios if desired. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or overnight until ganache is fully set, then peel off outer layer of acetate before slicing. The cake is best enjoyed at room temperature when the ganache softens and matches the consistency of the cake.
To store, I like to use the same piece of acetate as a ring around the whole cake, then press a piece of plastic or parchment to the cut surfaces. The cake keeps quite well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes

Nutrition

  • Calories: 350 kcal
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