Recipes

Volcano Cakes

Yield: 6 Portions

A Volcano Cake is a dense Chocolate Cake that oozes Chocolate Lava. The recipe is similar to a Soufflé but without the egg whites so it doesn't rise very much. The secret to making this decadent dessert is to make sure that the sheet pan that the ramekins are placed on is preheated for at least 15 minutes. Practice this at least once before serving at a dinner party to get the cooking time exactly right.

Ingredients:
12 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
6 Ounces Bittersweet or Semisweet Chocolate
3 Large Egg Yolks
3 Large Whole Eggs
½ Cup Sugar
1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Method:
1) Place sheet pan in the middle of the oven for at least 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
2) Combine the butter and chocolate in a mixing bowl on top of a pot of simmering water. If you don't have experience melting chocolate then be very careful not to burn the mixture. Never melt chocolate directly over the cooking element.
3) Heat chocolate mixture until melted and set aside to cool slightly.
4) Beat the eggs, the egg yolks and the sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes, until they are thick and a light yellow color.
5) On low speed gradually add the flour and then the chocolate/butter mixture.
6) Butter the six ramekins (6-8 ounce) and dust with the cocoa. Tap out the excess cocoa but make sure they are well coated.
7) Pour the Volcano batter into the ramekins filling them about 7/8 of the way to the top.
8) Place on the pre-heated sheet tray and bake for 15-18 minutes. The consistency when done should be where the edges of the cake are firm and the top is still soft to the touch. Unfortunately, this dessert has very thin line between being under and over done.
9) Remove form the oven and let sit on a cool surface for 3 to 5 minutes.
10) Run a paring knife between the cake and ramekin to loosen. Invert your dessert plate over the ramekin (be careful, they're hot) and flip over. Tap the plate lightly and lift off the ramekin. Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream. Garnish with Raspberries and Strawberries
11) If the cake runs all over the plate you need to increase the cooking time. If the cake is hard and does not ooze chocolate, lessen the cooking time. If the cake does not come out then make sure it is well buttered and covered in the cocoa.

Good Luck, it's worth it.