Molten Chocolate Cakes

Glancy Family Cookbook Volume II, chapter 5

Category: Desserts

Yields 8

For best results, use a dark baking chocolate with a high cocoa butter content (about 30%).

Ingredients

12 tsp plus 5 tbsp sugar
8 oz bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
3 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 quart coffee ice cream

Steps

Generously butter bottom and sides of 8 3/4-cup soufflé dishes or ramekins.
Sprinkle the inside of each dish with 1 1/2 tsp sugar, rolling dish to coat.
Stir chocolate and butter in a heavy medium saucepan over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat.
Using electric mixer, beat egg, egg yolks, and remaining 5 tablespoons sugar on medium-high heat 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 among dishes (scant 1/2 cup batter each).
(Up to this point: can be made 1 day ahead. If doing so, cover with plastic; chill. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Place dishes on baking sheet. Bake cakes uncovered until edges are puffed and slightly cracked, but center 1" of each one moves slightly when dishes are shaken gently, about 13 minutes.
Top each cake with a scoop of coffee ice cream and serve immediately.