Chocolate Torte with Ganache

A Special Treat for Someone You Love

If you’re a chocolate fan — and let’s be honest, a lot of us are — then this chocolate torte is going to be right up your alley. It’s rich. It’s decadent. It’s absolutely delicious. And here’s what I really want you to hear: don’t be intimidated. It’s really not hard.

I know that when you hear the word “torte,” it can sound a little fancy. A little out of reach, maybe. Like something you’d only order at a nice restaurant and pay ten dollars a slice for. But I’m telling you, you can make this right in your own kitchen, and it’s going to be just as beautiful — if not more so — than anything you’d get at a restaurant.

A Little Story Behind This Recipe

I first made this torte for Valentine’s Day a few years back. I wanted to do something special, something that felt a little more elevated than our usual desserts, but I also didn’t want to spend all day in the kitchen. When I came across this recipe and saw that it didn’t even use flour, I thought, “Well, that can’t be right.” But sure enough, it works beautifully without it.

The first time I pulled it out of the oven, I’ll admit — I was a little nervous. It was still slightly jiggly in the center, and I thought maybe I’d done something wrong. But as it cooled, it set up perfectly. And when we topped it with that chocolate ganache and cut into it? Oh my goodness. It was so smooth and creamy, and every single bite was just rich chocolate heaven.

Now it’s become one of those desserts I come back to whenever I want to make something that feels really special but doesn’t take a lot of fuss. And once you’ve made it, I think you’ll feel the same way.

One more thing I love about this recipe — because there’s no flour in it at all, it’s completely gluten free. So if you have someone in your family or a friend with gluten considerations, you can serve this with confidence. That’s a really nice bonus for such a delicious dessert.

Chocolate Torte with Chocolate Ganache

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Bake Time: 25–30 minutes | Cooling Time: 30–45 minutes Servings: 10–12 | Pan: 9-inch round cake pan or 9-inch springform pan

Ingredients

For the Torte:

• 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ cup baking cocoa (use a good quality — this is worth it here)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Pinch of salt

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup heavy cream

Optional Garnish:

• Powdered sugar
• Fresh strawberries

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Spray a 9-inch round cake pan (or springform pan) with cooking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper — this is going to make it so much easier to get the torte out later.

Here’s an easy trick for cutting parchment to fit: fold your parchment paper in half, then in half again. Line up the point with the center of your pan, and cut in a curve where the edge of the pan is. Unfold it, and you’ll have a circle that fits right in the bottom.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate and Butter

Place the 1½ cups of chocolate chips and 1 cup of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one, until everything is fully melted and smooth. This usually takes about a minute total. Set this aside to cool for a few minutes while you put together the rest of the torte.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, cocoa, and a pinch of salt. Use the back of your spoon to smooth out any lumps in the cocoa.

Step 4: Add the Eggs

Crack the eggs into the dry mixture one at a time, whisking after each addition. You don’t need a mixer for this — a simple whisk works perfectly. You’ll see the batter start to come together after just the second egg. Add about a teaspoon of vanilla and whisk it in.

A little tip: if a tiny piece of eggshell falls in, use one of the eggshell halves to scoop it out. It’s so much easier than trying to chase it with your fingers or a fork.

Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Mixture

Once your melted chocolate and butter has cooled enough that it’s just slightly warm to the touch, gently fold it into the egg mixture. Stir until it’s all combined — you’ll have a rich, glossy batter that already looks incredible.

Step 6: Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan. If you see a few bubbles on the surface, just tap the pan gently on the counter. Bake at 325°F for 25 to 30 minutes. At the 25-minute mark, take a look — the edges should be set, and the center may still be slightly jiggly. That’s okay. It will continue to set as it cools. If it’s very jiggly, give it another 5 minutes.

Let the torte cool completely before adding the ganache. You can speed this up by putting it in the fridge if you’d like.

Step 7: Make the Ganache

Place 1 cup of chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat 1 cup of heavy cream in the microwave for about 1 minute and 15 seconds, then pour it directly over the chocolate chips. Let it sit for about 2 minutes, then stir until it’s completely smooth and glossy.

Step 8: Assemble

Once the torte has cooled, carefully run a knife around the edge to release it from the pan. If you used parchment paper, you should be able to lift it right out. Place it on your serving plate.

Pour the ganache over the top, letting it settle inside the slightly raised edges of the torte. If a little drips over the side, that’s perfectly fine. Let the ganache set up for about 15–20 minutes (or pop it in the fridge to speed things along).

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Dust the top with a little powdered sugar. Add some fresh strawberries on the side if you’d like. And if you have any leftover ganache, warm it back up slightly and drizzle it on the plate for a really pretty presentation.

Slice it thin — this is rich, and a small piece goes a long way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a springform pan instead of a regular cake pan? Absolutely, and if you have one, it makes getting the torte out even easier. Just use a 9-inch springform pan and follow all the same steps.

Why is there no flour in this recipe? That’s what makes it a torte rather than a traditional cake. The eggs and chocolate provide all the structure it needs. And as a bonus, it’s naturally gluten free — no special substitutions required.

My torte was still jiggly when I took it out of the oven. Did I do something wrong? Nope! A slight jiggle in the center is completely normal and expected. It will set up as it cools. If it’s very jiggly and loose, you can give it another 5 minutes, but a little movement in the middle is just fine.

Do I need a mixer for this recipe? Not at all. A whisk and a bowl are really all you need. If you do want to use a mixer, keep it on the lowest speed and just mix until everything is incorporated — you don’t want to overwork it.

Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! You can make the torte a day ahead. Keep it covered in the fridge, and add the ganache the day you plan to serve it, or add the ganache and refrigerate the whole thing. Just let it come to room temperature for about 20–30 minutes before serving for the best texture.

What kind of cocoa should I use? For this recipe, it’s worth using a good quality baking cocoa. This is a simple dessert where the chocolate really shines, so a premium cocoa makes a noticeable difference.

Can I use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet? You can, but the torte will be sweeter and may not have that deep, rich chocolate flavor. Semi-sweet gives you the best balance with the sugar that’s already in the recipe.

What should I serve with this? Fresh strawberries are wonderful on the side. A small dollop of whipped cream works beautifully too. And if you have some extra ganache, a little drizzle on the plate makes it look like something from a fine restaurant.

Is this really good enough for a special occasion? I think it’s one of the most impressive desserts you can make at home, honestly. It looks beautiful, it tastes incredible, and nobody has to know that it only took you about 15 minutes of hands-on time to put together. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, dinner parties — any time you want something that feels special.

I hope you’ll give this chocolate torte a try. I really do think your family — or your sweetheart — is going to love it. And remember, go out today and find somebody who needs a little bit of kindness and give them some of yours.