Chocolate cake without flour for Passover

With Passover approaching, one of the region's largest bakers, Classic Cake, offers a flourless chocolate cake to serve for dessert. Executive pastry chef Robert Bennett, who honed his skills over 14 years at Le Bec-Fin before taking the helm at Classic, also makes coconut macaroons for the holiday.

The "Chocolate Heaven" cake, which is gluten-free and also nondairy, is made with chocolate, sugar, margarine, coffee, and eggs. It's available year-round but is particularly popular at this time of year, Bennett said.

Denser in texture than a pastry made with flour, the cake is moist, rich, and fudgy. Airy whipped topping decorated with chocolate shavings adds a cool creaminess.

Classic, which operates a massive commercial bakery in Port Richmond, sells the treats at its retail location in Cherry Hill.  A second retail bakery and cafe is expected to open this year at 16th and JFK in Philadelphia.

Chocolate Heaven cake, $24.95 at Classic Cake, 480 E. Evesham Rd., Cherry Hill 08003; classiccake.com.