And the best way to kick off the weekend is…. with these easy, delicious Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes, of course! Made with melted chocolate, rich olive oil and studded with chocolate chips, you won’t know what chocolatey deliciousness hit you! Best part? These fudgy cupcakes are naturally gluten free.

ABOUT THESE FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
Made with both melted chocolate and chocolate chips, these cupcakes are a chocolate lover’s dream. I used lots of dark chocolate in mine and my husband, who is a huge dark chocolate fan, loves them! These cupcakes are the same recipe as my Flourless Chocolate Olive Oil Cake. Rather than pouring it into a 9 inch pan, I turned it into 12 cupcakes!
I love the chocolatey olive oil base. The olive oil adds a rich and fruity flavor and so much moisture! I also use olive oil in my Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake. The olive oil makes for such a tender, delicious texture in both cakes!
WHAT’S IN THIS FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES RECIPE
I’ll start by what’s not in it: flour. I know…flourless cake sounds a little weird, but it is soooo good! Flourless makes these cupcakes naturally gluten free. This olive oil dessert is also dairy free. For a flourless and sugar less chocolate cake recipe, check out this 3-Ingredient Flourless Chocolate Cake from Gimme Some Oven!
As far as what’s in it, it’s a simple list of ingredients that most people probably have on hand. You can make mini substitutions with what you have on hand.
ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS:
- Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil. Melted butter can be substituted for the olive oil.
- Chocolate: I recommend dark chocolate but bittersweet or semisweet also work.
- Eggs: Use 4 large.
- Sugar: I found that 3/4 cup is the perfect, just right amount.
- Cocoa Powder: 1/3 cup
- Vanilla: 2 1/2 teaspoons which surprisingly brings out the chocolate flavor.
- Espresso powder: This is the ingredient that you might not have on hand. It also works to bring out the chocolate flavor. It can usually be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. You can definitely leave it out if you don’t have it. In that case, I’d suggest bumping the amount of vanilla up to a tablespoon.
- Chocolate chips Semisweet, bittersweet, dark or milk chocolate chips all work.
- Salt: Salt also enhances the chocolatey flavor and rounds out some of the sweetness.

HOW TO MAKE THESE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
Start by melting the chocolate and olive oil in a medium bowl in the microwave. I like to first chop the chocolate since chopping it will help it melt faster. Melt the chocolate and olive oil in the microwave in about two twenty second intervals. Stir it really well after each interval. The chocolate will melt more as you stir it.
You want to keep the chocolate nice and shiny so make sure not to heat it more than necessary in the microwave. Once the chocolate is melted, stir in the olive oil and set mixture aside.

THE REST OF THE INGREDIENTS
Next, you’ll add most of the other ingredients to a large bowl. Stir or whisk together the sugar, salt, espresso powder, cocoa powder and vanilla. Pour in the melted chocolate and olive oil mixture then stir in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the chocolate chips. That’s it. So easy!

BAKING THE CUPCAKES
Grease or line a cupcake tin and distribute the batter among 12 cups. I prefer greasing my tin rather than using cupcake liners. Using cupcake liners typically leaves little liner marks. Although these are cupcakes, I prefer them to have the look of mini cakes, so I just grease the tin really well. Once baked, the mini cakes, or cupcakes will pop right out!
Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of a cupcake. Cool for about ten minutes in the muffin tins and then remove to a rack.

ENJOYING THE CUPCAKES
I love and can’t resist this cake warm, but it can also be eaten warm, at room temperature or cold. These cupcakes are delicious as is since they’re very brownie-like.
If you want to add toppings, which I highly recommend, these sweet but not too sweet chocolate cupcakes are the perfect blank slate for all your favorite toppings!

WHAT TO TOP YOUR CUPCAKES WITH
WHIPPED CREAM
Since there is chopped chocolate, cocoa powder and chocolate chips in this flourless espresso cake, I like to top it off with a dollop of chocolate whipped cream! It only takes four ingredients and five minutes to make. You can also make the whipped cream without the cocoa.
I love folding fresh raspberries into either plain or chocolate whipped cream. I love the freshness that the berries add to an otherwise rich dessert. Chopped strawberries would also work. I like raspberries because you don’t need to chop them. Just lightly mash them with a fork and they fold in nicely. They add a pretty pink color and little bits of fruit!
MORE TOPPING SUGGESTIONS
- GANACHE: Rich, chocolatey ganache is the perfect sauce to drizzle or pour over the cake! Here’s the easy two ingredient ganache recipe I use for my Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes.
- ICE CREAM: A scoop of vanilla, chocolate, or coffee ice cream is AMAZING but really any flavor ice cream works!
- POWDERED SUGAR: A simple dusting of powdered sugar makes the cake extra pretty and adds a touch more sweetness!
- CARAMEL: My chocolate caramel recipe comes to mind first, but this maple caramel would be delicious too!

These flourless chocolate cupcakes are the perfect combination of a piece of chocolate cake and a brownie. They have the fudgy, gooey texture of brownies and are super easy to make! Perfect for when the chocolate urge strikes or for having friends over.
Print
Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Desserts, Cupcakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These easy flourless chocolate cupcakes make the best fudgy, rich treat! Gluten free and perfect for weekdays or company. Top with ice cream or homemade whipped cream!
Ingredients
FOR THE CUPCAKES
- 6 ounces semisweet, dark, or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil or melted unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 4 eggs
- 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
FOR THE CHOCOLATE WHIPPED CREAM*
- 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
Instructions
- Generously grease a muffin tin. Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Melt the olive oil and chopped chocolate together in the microwave in two 20 second intervals. Stir very well in between intervals. Set aside and let cool for a few minutes while you assemble the rest of the ingredients.
- In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, salt, espresso, cocoa and vanilla. Pour in the melted chocolate and olive oil mixture. Stir in the eggs and mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour mixture into prepared pan. Spread evenly and bake for 25-30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
FOR THE CHOCOLATE WHIPPED CREAM
- For best results, chill the bowl and beaters or whisk attachment in the fridge or freezer for 15- 20 minutes before using. In the bowl of an electric mixer or using a hand held mixer, beat the whipping cream on high speed for 2 minutes. Turn the mixer to low and pour the powdered sugar and cocoa in followed by the vanilla. Turn the mixer back up to high and continue mixing until you have medium to stiff peaks, about 3 more minutes.
Notes
*Alternatively, you could add raspberries to the whipped cream. Keep it chocolate flavored and add raspberries or omit the cocoa powder and add raspberries. Lightly crush the raspberries with a fork before folding them in.
Keywords: espresso, chocolate, chocolate chips, dark chocolate, cupcakes, mini cakes, whipped cream, raspberriese
These look divine !! And great portion wise Do you have nutrition info?
Thanks Kate!! Unfortunately I don’t have the nutrition info, but I believe there are some sites that can calculate it. Hope that helps!