Thursday, February 11th, 2010...15:04
Fondant Au Chocolat – Love At First Bite
Valentine’s schmalentine’s. Personally, I don’t buy it. But for all you Lovey McLoversons out there, here is a decadent dessert that’s about as melty as your heart each time you gaze into the eyes of your true love. ***Swoon***
If you knew me at all, you would conclude that I’m probably not the most delicate flower out there – I often break out into a howdy doody dance in the middle of the sidewalk and I snort when I laugh. Needless to say, I don’t believe in the obligatory schmoochfest that you folks call “Valentine’s Day”. However, I am a proponent of chocolate.
And if you knew both of us, you would conclude that we are probably one of the most nauseatingly affectionate and deeply in love duos east of the Mississippi.
We’re that vomitous couple who sits on the same side of the booth at restaurants or, heaven forbid, we’re seated at a two-top facing each other but still manage to hold hands from across the table. We are constantly gazing into each other’s eyes and so deeply engaged in our conversation that we don’t even realize the server has refilled our water. He even makes endearing attempts to feed me only to lose the morsel of food on the table or on my lap during transport. And although I would prefer to feed myself because he puts man-size bites on the fork, compromising my futile attempt at acting like a lady, I still give him googly eyes at his sincere gesture.
For 364 days a year, we never cease to nauseate bystanders as we celebrate our love and affection for each other. So on Valentine’s Day, we like to give the rest of society an opportunity to give us a taste of our own medicine as they make kissy noises in public. Meanwhile, you can find us at the gym where it makes it awfully difficult to hold hands while wearing our boxing gloves. And if we so much as try to sneak a kiss, our trainer would probably kick our ass.
Without further adieu, I present to you a recipe that hails from his motherland and is by far, the best gosh darn fondant au chocolat we’ve ever had. I’ve attempted many other recipes, but this unique technique of freezing the batter definitely takes the cake…pun intended. And as my gift to you, I’ve included plenty of food porn to get those juices flowing *wink wink*.
Ingredients:
| 100 | grams Lindt 85% Cocoa, broken in tiny pieces |
| 2 | large eggs |
| 5 | Tbsp white granulated sugar, plus extra for dusting the ramekins |
| 4 | Tbsp unsalted butter, softened to room temperature |
| 2 3/4 | Tbsp flour |
| 1 | Tbsp creme fraîche |
| 4 | oven-safe ramekins |
- Lightly coat the inside of your ramekin molds with butter then dust with granulated sugar. Set aside. Next, using the bain marie method, melt the chocolate pieces (refrain from stirring as it melts). Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and 5 Tbsp of sugar until pale yellow.
- Once the chocolate is completely melted, remove container from the heat and mix in the butter. Next, slowly add the the egg and sugar mixture. Add flour and finally the creme fraîche. Pour and distribute the batter evenly into four ramekins. Place in the freezer overnight.
- When ready to serve, remove ramekins from freezer and place in a 375 degree preheated oven. Bake for 13 minutes. Remove ramekins from oven and allow to cool for 2 minutes. Use a sharp knife to scrape along the edge of the cake. Next, take individual serving plate and rest it on top of the ramekin mold. Holding the mold with an oven mitt and keeping the plate in contact with the mold, invert the cake onto the plate. Tap the ramekins lightly and gently lift away. Dust with powdered sugar, garnish with a few raspberries and top it all off with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream! Happy Hearts Day!
47 Comments
February 11th, 2010 at 15:50
Dhale,
I’m weak on my knees looking at your pictures… I am absolutely hypnotized by the oozing chocolate you have here!!!
why do I do this to myself??? haha! You’ve further elevated yourself as a food porn ROCKSTAR!
February 11th, 2010 at 15:54
That looks perfect! I’m a huge fan of molten chocolate. I melt candy bars just to eat them in liquid form. You can’t imagine my affinity for hot chocolate, the thicker the better. And you were right about the food porn, mmm mmm.
February 11th, 2010 at 15:54
@Malou: “Skip to Malou”… I love it! You can skip on over here and I’ll gladly bake you your very own chocolate cake
I’m so happy to be upgraded to food porn ROCKSTAR. My mom would be so proud 
February 11th, 2010 at 16:06
@Carrie: It took me two cakes to finally get the oozing “money shot”
So I had no choice but to eat them so as not to waste perfectly good ooey gooey chocolate. Too bad I couldn’t ship some over to you in the great Pacific northwest 
Have you ever been to Paris? There’s a place called Angelina and they serve the richest and most decadent hot chocolate EVER!
February 11th, 2010 at 16:07
Shocked, I’m shocked seeing this gorgeous sweetness on my screen. Beautiful, rich and elegant- love it (I’m a chocoholic!)
Cheers,
Gera
February 11th, 2010 at 16:12
omg…this looks so sinful and decadent!
February 11th, 2010 at 16:12
@Gera: Little ol’ me had to eat this yummy cake you see on the screen at 10 in the morning! What kind of a chocoholic would I be if I wasted it, right??? Thank you, Gera!
February 11th, 2010 at 16:14
@Sage: Thank you!!! I did feel pretty naughty when I ate this for breakfast (right after I took the photos)!
February 11th, 2010 at 16:38
I could nibble at my MacBook screen!! I know how delicious these are. Can you pack us some to travel South??
February 11th, 2010 at 17:01
@Maggie: Lol! I’ll ship some over to you guys and maybe I’ll try to stow away in the box as well
Hope you’re enjoying the lovely sunshine! What a fabulous idea for you two to fly south for the winter. Blizzard eluded!
February 11th, 2010 at 17:29
just beautiful, Dhale!. And I’m sure it tastes even lovelier. Can’t wait to find the time to make this decadent dish!
February 11th, 2010 at 18:30
Nothing like litle food porn. I want to eat breakfast at your house.
mimi
February 11th, 2010 at 18:41
Good GOD Dhale… I’m drooling!! It looks absolutely amazing!!!
February 12th, 2010 at 00:33
That looks sinfully delicious! Does the chocolate really ooze out like in the picture? I think my fiance can be cornered into setting the wedding date if I have this to bargain with!!!
February 12th, 2010 at 00:56
this looks positively decadent!
I’ll be featuring it in our V-day spotlight this weekend on Foodwhirl.com!
Thanks for sharing:)
dot
February 12th, 2010 at 01:23
Looks like you got lots of money shots- very nice job! Now submit those gorgeous pics to tastespotting, already. FYI- I updated my blogroll to include your sexy site. xo, lub2a
February 12th, 2010 at 05:20
i defy anyone to show me something more appetizing than oozing chocolate.
meanwhile, i got a kick out of this post–i’ve seen couples like ya’ll and always quickly look away, lest i be turned to stone (or, say, green with envy…).
February 12th, 2010 at 09:09
This looks positively gorgeous, and those chocolate squares are tempting me to get some this weekend, Valentines Day or not.
February 12th, 2010 at 09:40
@Theresa: Thank you!!! If you guys come over, I’ll be happy to make it for you two
But for the meantime, I’m sure you’ll make a stellar version and DT will love it!
February 12th, 2010 at 09:41
@Mimi: Come on over! We can wash it down with a few bloody marys… actually, maybe not. Sounds like a stomach ache in the making! Happy Friday
February 12th, 2010 at 09:42
@Richelle: Lol! If you’re drooling from the photos then I’ve succeeded as a food photographer
Thank you!
February 12th, 2010 at 09:48
@Usha: Yes, the chocolate really does ooze out! The key is freezing the batter, then popping it in the oven for about 13 minutes which cooks the outside but leaves the inside all melty and gooey. How can your fiance resist when in the face of this decadent dessert? Good luck
February 12th, 2010 at 09:49
@Dot: You’re very welcome and thanks so much for featuring it in your V-day post! Although this dessert should be enjoyed year-round
Happy Friday!
February 12th, 2010 at 09:53
@Linda: Lots of money shots thanks to the sexy molten cake that was really hamming it up for the camera! Thanks to you, I’ve discovered the joys of TasteSpotting and Food Gawker. Glad we met up for cocktails and apps. Next time, maybe we’ll remember to discuss the Foodie Jezebels
And thanks for adding my humble little site to your blogroll!
P.S. I’ll give you a call next week… hopefully we’ll have something super cool to discuss
February 12th, 2010 at 09:56
@Grace: Lol! On Sunday you’ll be safer if you just keep your eyes on the ground because it’ll be like seeing us x100
Happy Friday Grace!
February 12th, 2010 at 09:57
@Elizabeth: Thank you! Our pantry is ALWAYS stocked with a few bars of these chocolate pieces. Who needs Vday to eat chocolate? I sure as heck don’t
Hope you’re enjoying our lovely sunny day in the city!
February 12th, 2010 at 10:25
You are a funny one! I would love to hear you snort when you laugh. This chocolate cake molten lava looks divine!
February 12th, 2010 at 12:28
La perfection !
Super idée que de proposer cette douceur pleine de tendresse à la St Valentin !
Photos magnifiques, une réussite…difficilement égalée.
“food porn ROCKSTAR”… je vote YES !!!
February 12th, 2010 at 12:32
Hey is the one that is similar to the flourless cake?
February 12th, 2010 at 15:24
Valentine’s Schmalentines is right! But now I’m probably being ‘negative’ or something. Your cake looks great though!
February 12th, 2010 at 15:30
@Christine: Thanks! I think everybody’s a snorter but never allowed themselves the vulnerability to unleash the fury. I, myself, have let it all go in the last several years. It’s quite liberating
February 12th, 2010 at 15:52
@One Mum: Coucou
Merci beaucoup pour votre recette magnifique! Le prochain voyage à New York, je voudrais cuisiner ce gateau pour vous! Vous êtes drôle quand vous dite oui pour le food porn ROCKSTAR! J’adore votre commentaire 
Gros bisous à de nous deux!
February 12th, 2010 at 15:55
@Daren: Hey girl, I didn’t know you had a blog?! Now I can spy on you and R! Puhahahaha…
The flourless cake doesn’t have any flour in it, hence flourLESS. Duh Daren! Lol jk
Which one does he like? This molten cake has a little flour but I’m sure he’ll love this one too!
February 12th, 2010 at 16:02
@Stella: It’s not negative at all! Just defiant against a Hallmark-centered holiday is all. Anyway, I’ll have you know I eat this dessert year round and not at all exclusive to VDay
So go ahead and have one, you deserve it!
February 12th, 2010 at 16:39
DHALE this is absolutely HEAVENLY. No wonder you got so many views are you kidding? The pictures are absolutely breath taking, I love love love the red backgrounds paired with the sensuous raspberries. Your honey better be giving you some good ass back rubs for this dessert!
February 13th, 2010 at 02:42
Dhale! Fantastic looking molten lava cake. The first picture with the chocolate oozing out is just fantastic. Since you aren’t celebrating Valentine’s Day – happy Valentine’s Year instead!
February 13th, 2010 at 03:54
hello dhale
this is beautiful and the melting heart is a must for valentines day !! yours is a marvel congratulations !!pierre
February 13th, 2010 at 15:45
@Joy: We haven’t shared this round just yet. I had to eat this one by myself because I took the photo during the day and the rest of the batch is hanging out in our freezer. I’ll hold off until I really need that back rub
February 13th, 2010 at 15:47
@Trissa: Thank you! The oozing chocolate is what I refer to as the “money shot”
It took me two cakes to get it just right! And we both got a kick out of your Happy Valentine’s Year wishes:) Hope you”re having a great weekend!
February 13th, 2010 at 15:48
@Pierre: Merci beaucoup! I think this dessert is a must for everyday but I don’t think my waistline would appreciate it
February 14th, 2010 at 08:08
[...] Read the whole thing here… [...]
February 16th, 2010 at 09:40
WOW! I have got to try and make that one night!
February 16th, 2010 at 13:30
[...] Fondant Au Chocolat [...]
February 19th, 2010 at 11:36
Thanks for stopping by my blog. this chocolate cake looks decadent and delicious. I love your blog as well!
Sasha
February 20th, 2010 at 01:06
wow they look absolutely amazing!
i’m just wondering what size ramekins did you use? i tried making this recipe and i think mine are a bit smaller than yours so i didn’t get the “ooze” effect. but thanks so much for this recipe, i’m definitely making this for any nice dinners i have
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:13
@Sasha: Glad I found it and still oh so envious of your supersize kitchen! Thanks for dropping by
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:45
@Chris: Thank you SO much! The ramekins I used had a radius of 3 1/2 inches and a depth of 2 in. But I only filled them up 3/4 full. The cooking time is the other tricky pat to achieving the “ooze” effect. I’m actually working with a teenie tiny toaster oven and after numerous trials, I’ve found that 13 minutes works the best. You’ll have to get a feel for the strength of your oven and adjust the cooking time. I also learned that it’s time to take them out just when the center looks about set but still a little wobbly. Then I let it cool on a rack in the ramekin for another 2 minutes before I flip them over.
Glad to see you’ll continue to make this super decadent dessert. And I’m positive you’ll perfect the “ooze” effect
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