A different chocolate cake with special flavour intensity. Steamy, fluffy and inflatable. It is lava cake, the ultimate dessert. Extremely voluptuous in taste and texture, it goes perfectly with meat, fish, Italian food, everything! It is done in a minimum of time, and thanks to its convenience is an excellent proposal for minimal risk.
Molten chocolate cakes became famous for a reason: they’re cakey on the outside with an irresistible centre of warm dark chocolate flowing through the middle. The first time you try one, it may seem like magic, but this recipe is actually quite easy to make and ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 1 stick (100 – 110g) unsalted butter
- 170g bittersweet chocolate, preferably one high in cocoa content
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Directions
Step 1 Preheat the oven to 230°. Butter and lightly flour (or cocoa powder) four ramekins.This will help to unmold the cake from the ramkin. Tap out the excess flour. Set the ramekins on a baking sheet.
Step 2 In a double boiler, over simmering water, melt the butter with the chocolate. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the egg yolks, sugar and salt at high speed until thickened and pale.
Step 3 Whisk the chocolate until smooth. Quickly fold it into the egg mixture along with the flour. Spoon the batter into the prepared ramekins and bake for 12 minutes, or until the sides of the cakes are firm but the centres are soft. Let the cakes cool in the ramekins for 1 minute, then cover each with an inverted dessert plate. Carefully turn each one over, let stand for 10 seconds and then unmold. Serve immediately.
Tip the high oven temperature cooks the outside of the mini cakes but leaves the center slightly gooey. The tops may look somewhat soft.
Notes
Molten chocolate cakes are easily one of the ultimate desserts : simple, sexy and indulgent. For an extra surprise, try a caramel fill or a raspberry sauce fill.
Serve With
While these cakes easily stand alone, they’re over-the-top when served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Suggested Pairing
Chocolate is too intense and bitter for many sweet wines, but not port. Try this dessert with a Ruby Porto.