Molten Dark Chocolate Cakes Recipes

MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Generously butter six 6-ounce ramekins (really be generous, and do not substitute non-stick cooking spray). Set the ramekins on a baking sheet.
• Melt the butter in a medium bowl in the microwave. Immediately add the chopped chocolate and stir until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted. If a few chunks remain, place the bowl back in the microwave for 20 seconds, then stir again. Repeat if necessary. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle or beaters, beat the eggs, egg yolks, brown sugar, vanilla and salt at high speed until thickened and pale, about 4 minutes. Add the melted chocolate mixture and flour to the egg mixture and fold with a rubber spatula until just combined (the chocolate sinks to the bottom so be sure to scrape it up into the batter).
• Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared ramekins and bake for 10 minutes, until the cakes are set and puffed over the edges of the ramekins. Let the cakes cool in the ramekins for 1 to 2 minutes; then, holding the hot ramekins with a dish towel, carefully invert the cakes onto dessert plates. They should pop right out, but you can run a thin-bladed knife around the edges if necessary. Serve immediately. (It's important not to let the cakes sit after baking, as the centers will continue to cook.)
• Make-Ahead Instructions: The batter can be spooned into the ramekins, covered and refrigerated for several hours before baking. Take them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before baking so they come to room temperature.

MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously butter 6 cups of a standard muffin tin. Dust with granulated sugar, and tap out excess. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. With the mixer on low speed, beat in flour and salt until just combined. Beat in chocolate until just combined. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups.
• Place muffin tin on a baking sheet; bake just until tops of the cakes no longer jiggle when the pan is lightly shaken, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes.
• To serve, turn out cakes, and place on serving plates, bottom sides up. Dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve with whipped cream, if desired.

MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKES WITH SUGAR-COATED RASPBERRIES

Steps:

• Melt butter and chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water; remove from heat. Beat eggs, sugar and salt with a hand mixer in a medium bowl until sugar dissolves. Beat egg mixture into chocolate until smooth. Beat in flour or matzo meal until just combined. (Batter can be made a day ahead; return to room temperature an hour or so before baking.)
• Before serving dinner, adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 450 degrees. Line a standard-size muffin tin (1/2 cup capacity) with 8 extra-large muffin papers (papers should extend above cups to facilitate removal). Spray muffin papers with vegetable cooking spray. Divide batter among muffin cups.
• Bake until batter puffs but center is not set, 8 to 10 minutes. Carefully lift cakes from tin and set on a work surface. Pull papers away from cakes and transfer cakes to dessert plates.
• Top each with sugared raspberries and serve immediately.

MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKES

Steps:

• Chuck Hughes' warm and oozy molten chocolate cakes-chocolate indulgence at its best!
• In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and chocolate together until the chocolate mixture is smooth. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, beat together the eggs and sugar with a whisk or electric beater until pale and thick, about 5 minutes.
• Pour the melted chocolate in the egg mixture and mix well. Blend in the flour, just until combined.
• Butter and lightly sugar 4 (4-ounce) molds, custard cups or ramekins. Tap out the excess sugar. Divide the batter among the molds. At this point you can refrigerate the desserts until you are ready to eat, for up to several hours, then bring them back to room temperature before baking.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bake the molten chocolate on a sheet tray for 8 to 10 minutes, the center will still be quite soft, but the sides will be set. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite ice cream.

EMERIL'S EASY MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Butter and flour 4 (6-ounce) ramekins or baking dishes, tapping out the excess flour.
• Set on a baking sheet.
• In a double boiler, or a glass bowl set over a pan of boiling water, melt butter with the chocolate, cream, and powdered sugar, stirring until smooth.
• Remove from the heat.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and salt until thick ribbons form, about 3 minutes.
• Sift flour into the egg mixture and fold together.
• Fold the chocolate into the egg mixture. Divide among the prepared dishes and bake until the sides of the cake are set and the tops are puffed but still soft, about 10-12 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let cool in the ramekins for 2 minutes, then unmold onto dessert plates.
• Sprinkle cocoa over the cakes, and serve.
• Fresh berries, ice cream or whipped cream make a nice accompaniment.