Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Bittersweet Molten Chocolate Cakes....Happy New Year Everyone!


This is my favorite Molten Chocolate cake recipe. It is adapted from one I found a few years back in Bon Appetit. It does not need to be unmolded, can be made well in advance, and popped into the oven while you are making the coffee and clearing the table before dessert. It is a great following a special holiday meal or just anytime. We had this for dessert on Christmas Day. It is great for New Years Eve as well...
I wish all of you a very Happy and Healthy New Year!


The recipe calls for serving with coffee ice cream which I may add is fabulous. I more often serve it with vanilla ice cream and fresh raspberries and sometimes a raspberry coulis...

BITTERSWEET MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKES 
adapted from Bon Appetit

For best results, use a dark baking chocolate with high cocoa butter content (about 30 percent), such as Valrhona or Callebaut.
12 teaspoons plus 5 tablespoons sugar

8 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
3 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon all purpose flour

1 quart coffee or vanilla ice cream

Generously butter eight 3/4-cup soufflé dishes or custard cups. Sprinkle inside of each dish with 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar.

Stir chocolate and butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat. Using electric mixer, beat eggs, egg yolks, and remaining 5 tablespoons sugar in large bowl until thick and pale yellow, about 8 minutes. Fold 1/3 of warm chocolate mixture into egg mixture, then fold in remaining chocolate. Fold in flour. Divide batter among soufflé dishes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic; chill. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)

Preheat oven to 425°F. Place soufflé dishes on baking sheet. Bake cakes uncovered until edges are puffed and slightly cracked but center 1 inch of each moves slightly when dishes are shaken gently, about 13 minutes.

Top each cake with scoop of coffee ice cream or vanilla ice cream and raspberries and serve immediately.

Makes 8 servings.












15 comments:

  1. linda, I've got a similar recipe for a molten chocolate cake, its one of my favorite desserts. wonderful pictures. anja

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  2. This is one irresistible dessert and you've reminded me that I haven't made it in a long time. Can you unmold it if you want? Or would it fall apart?
    Happy New Year.

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  3. They DO say Happy New Year to me..Gorgeous~ Happy New Year~

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  4. Great way to start the New Year. I like how you loaded them up with ice cream and raspberries. Wonderful.

    Happy New Year Linda.

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  5. X marks the spot, its like a little treasure coming here, i am soooooooo in the mood for chocolate!

    happy new years!

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  6. This is on the menu for my next family dinner. It's a stunner topped with ice cream and fresh berries. And I especially like that fact that it can be made ahead.

    Happy New Year!

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  7. Thank you my friends...this is so easy it is unbelieveable...the better the chocolate the better they are. My son brought me back a beautiful piece of baking chocolate from Belgium and I saved it for this...it was wonderful. I usually do use the Valrhona or the Callebaut.

    Linda you can unmold them...but I never do, I have done it a few times. It is one extra step and they look lovely in the little ramekin and the ice cream just melts beautifully right into it..less work....more bang for your buck.
    The other thing I forgot to mention is that if you have them leftover they can be warmed in the microwave for 30 seconds or so right from the fridge and are good as new...even several days later.
    I wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year! Lots of love to you all....
    xo

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  8. Oh YA, now that's what I'm talkin about. :) :) :)

    They look as fabulous as can be Linda! I'm making these soon. Thanks for sharing, sweet friend!

    Wishing you and your family all the best in 2010. xoxo

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  9. You had me at molten. They look delicious. Happy new year!

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  10. linda: how did you know I was looking for this recipe... just what I wanted for New Years... Thanks!!!

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  11. This molten chocolate cake is an all time favorite in my mind. This is the dessert I can't resist! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I'm going to make this one.
    Happy New Year! ~ Sarah

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  12. Happy New year Everyone...
    Enjoy!

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  13. Hi Linda! Your dessert looks spectacular! Wishing you a new year just like that - sweet, special and spectacular. Happy 2010 to you and your beautiful family. May all good things come to you.

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  14. Hi Linda! beautiful dessert!!!

    here's wishing you n ur family a new year full of joy, good health and peace.

    god bless
    zurin

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  15. Oh, Linda!! This looks delicious - I love the idea of dolloping ice cream in the middle of this little dish of heaven! Beautiful way to start the New Year!!

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