These puddings, which resemble a volcano with molten chocolate oozing out of their shells, are a chocoholic’s dream! Apart from the beautiful appearance and decadent taste, this is the perfect dessert for entertaining as all the preparation can be done in advance, and all that is required at serving time is baking.
Do buy quality chocolate for this recipe, and use a timer to ensure you do not overcook otherwise the centres won’t be saucy.
Ingredients (serves 4):
120g good quality dark chocolate (preferably 70% cocoa solids), broken into pieces
100g butter, diced
1½ tablespoons orange liqueur (eg. Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
2 whole eggs
2 egg yolks
¼ cup caster sugar
1½ tablespoons plain flour
To serve: sifted cocoa and cream
Equipment:
Electric Mixer
4 x 1-cup capacity oven-proof moulds or cups, generously brushed with melted butter and dusted with cocoa powder
Method (20 minutes preparation and 12 minutes baking):
1. Place the chocolate and butter in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of just simmering water. Ensure that the bowl does not touch the water. Keep the heat very low and allow the chocolate and butter to melt gently, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the liqueur.
3. While the chocolate is melting, in a separate bowl, beat the whole eggs, egg yolks and sugar with an electric hand mixer for about 5 minutes or until thick.
4. Add the melted chocolate and the flour and beat for a further 2 minutes.
5. Divide amongst the prepared oven-proof moulds, cover with plastic food wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
6. When ready to serve: preheat the oven to 200°C.
7. Remove the plastic food wrap from the moulds and place on a baking tray.
8. Bake for 12 minutes – they should be set around the edges but a bit wobbly in the centre.
9. Leave to stand for 2-3 minutes, then slide a fine knife around the edge of each and carefully invert onto individual serving plates.
10. Dust with sifted cocoa and serve immediately, with cream.
Bon appetit!
This is just my dream as a chocoholic! Please pass me some!
I oove chocolate molten cakes! They look excellent, Gail! Lovely for a dinner party!
This is a terrific dessert for entertaining with the ability to have them ready in the fridge, ready to pop into the oven after dinner!
Could you make it with higher percentage dark chocolate? I note that some health benefits of dark chocolate start at 80% dark.
yum! dark chocolate is one of my favorites chocolates out there
Oh no!!! look at this ;D just so outrageously wonderful? thanks, s
I wonder when they would invent the ability to email food 🙂
Wow..that’s beautiful. I want one, or 3. 🙂
These look like a great desert for entertaining – easy to prepare ahead, yet still has a real “wow” factor!
I’m loving your blog and nominated you for a Kreativ Blogger award:
Mmmm! 😀
Hi Zerrin – Yup, they’re definitely a chocoholic’s dream!
Hi Sophie – I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like molten chocolate cakes!
Hi Debi – Yes, they are perfect for a dinner party and definitely have a “wow” factor that doesn’t require blood, sweat & tears while you are trying to look after your guests.
Hi The Chocolate Priestess – Absolutely, what I should have said was “preferably minimum 70% cocoa solids”.
Hi Jessie – I agree, LOVE dark chocolate plus it’s good for you!
Hi S. Stockwell – Yep, they’re pretty good!
Hi Felix – I have often found my mouth watering when perusing food blogs and have wondered the same thing….
Hi KrisKishere – I reckon I could eat two, but three might be pushing it….
Hi ValleyWriter – Thank you so much for nominating me for a Kreativ Blogger award – I am very flattered.
Hi I Bake for you – Enjoy!
How good does that Chocolate Volcano look? Any chance of sending some up to the Sunshine Coast? Lol!
Hi Spencer, if you come along to our Joy of Baking cooking class, you can learn how to make it! Our classes are held in Noosa, so not far from you…
I wish I had followed your recipe the other night, Gail! I am definitely going to try this one.
It’s pretty foolproof Trish, but timing is everything in this recipe!
I was pleased to read that you only had 2 eggs and 2 yolks in the recipe. I have a similar one with 8 eggs!! Thanks so much for sharing. It really looks delicious!!
Thank you Eftychia, they ARE delicious, and really simple too!