Warm Chocolate Molten Cakes

Just Call Me Martha's Note:

Oh So Good! These little cakes are so simple to make and your guests with think you spent ages on them. Good quality chocolate is key here. If you don't have souffle dishes or custard dishes, you could use muffin tins, but it would make more little cakes (then you could have TWO each!). Use heart shaped moulds for Valentine's Day and top with whipped cream and raspberry coulis. Mmmmm. Enjoy!

• Total Time: 22 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 7 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate (good quality)
• 2/3 cup unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 6 egg yolks
• 3 egg whites
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

For coating moulds

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cocoa powder

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Butter six 6-ounce custard cups, souffle dishes or other moulds.
3. Mix the 2 Tbsp sugar and cocoa powder together and dust the inside of each mould.
4. Set aside.
5. Melt chocolate and 2/3 cup butter together over low heat.
6. Cool slightly.
7. Beat together 1/3 cup sugar and egg yolks with electric mixer or hand beater until thick and creamy (about 4 minutes).
8. Pour into chocolate mixture and beat together for about 4 minutes until smooth and creamy.
9. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites on medium to high speed until they form stiff peaks (about 3 minutes).
10. Fold egg whites into chocolate mixture along with flour.
11. Pour into moulds.
12. Bake for 7 minutes until edges are set, but centre is still jiggly.
13. Cool for 5 minutes and carefully remove to serving dishes.
14. Serve with whipped cream or good quality French Vanilla or Coffee ice cream.

Reviews

[Ms. Mother Earth]

DH and I made this together, our once a week bonding in the kitchen. what a treat! It was marvelous and so hard to stay away from. Thanks for sharing an excellent one Martha!

[JeanieK]

We loved these! I had my first molten cake in Hawaii for my birthday and thought it must be so difficult to make. When I saw how easy this recipe looked, I decided to try it for our "Easy and Romantic" menu and it was wonderful! 7 minutes baking time was perfect. I used heart-shaped ramekins, added some whipped cream on top and a few fresh raspberries and wow! It's nice to be able to make a dessert that isn't a ton of work, so you can enjoy your guest(s)! Too bad my kids didn't get to try these, but I will be making them soon again!

[Wickedgood@Maine]

SO good! Perfect - This was dessert for a fantastic Valentine's day feast. What a great ending. I made 1/2 a recipe, even measuring an egg white and using only 1 1/2 of them. I used a bit less sugar - and it was the best chocolate cake dessert I have ever had. My husband agrees. Can't wait to make it again (or should I say eat it again?)