Molten chocolate cake
 | |
| Alternative names | Lava cake, chocolate lava cake, molten chocolate lava cake |
|---|---|
| Course | Dessert |
| Main ingredients | Butter, eggs, sugar, chocolate |
 Cookbook: Molten chocolate cake  Media: Molten chocolate cake | |
Molten chocolate cake is a popular dessert that combines the elements of a flourless chocolate cake (sometimes called a chocolate decadence cake) and a soufflé. Some other names used are chocolate fondant,[1] chocolate moelleux and chocolate lava cake.[2]
History
The United States-based chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten claims to have invented molten chocolate cake in New York City in 1987, but the French chef and chocolatier Jacques Torres has disputed that claim, arguing that such a dish already existed in France. According to Vongerichten, he pulled a chocolate sponge cake from the oven before it was done and found that the center was still runny, but was warm and had both a good taste and a good texture. Regardless of who invented the dish, Vongerichten has been credited with popularizing it in the United States, and it became almost a de rigueur inclusion on high-end restaurant dessert menus.[2][3]
Preparation
Molten lava cakes are nearly always baked in ramekin dishes and have four main ingredients: butter, eggs, sugar, and chocolate.[2] Unlike most cakes, this recipe does not use flour. The butter and chocolate are melted together, while the eggs are either whisked with the sugar to form a thick paste, producing a denser finished product, or are separated so the egg whites can be whipped into an egg foam to provide more lift (and thus a lighter cake) when the mixture is baked.
Presentation
Rather than presenting only the cake itself in a ramekin or on a plate, the baker may choose to make it more appealing. Fresh raspberries, a drizzling of raspberry and/or chocolate sauce, and dustings of powdered sugar may be added to enhance flavor, or a sprig of mint may look more appealing as well. For a more intense chocolate taste, the baker may also add a tablespoon of strong coffee.
See also
References
- ↑ "Chocolate fondant". Retrieved 6 May 2014.
- 1 2 3 Machlin, Sherri (23 August 2011). American Food by the Decades. ABC-CLIO. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-313-37699-3.
- ↑ Josh Chetwynd (1 May 2012). How the Hot Dog Found Its Bun: Accidental Discoveries and Unexpected Inspirations That Shape What We Eat and Drink. Lyons Press. pp. 41–43. ISBN 978-0-7627-8529-2.
