Recipe: Individual Hot Chocolate Cakes

Sometimes things become trendy for a good reason. Although single-serving warm chocolate cakes seem to be just about everywhere, they're usually really good. So what the heck, I'm going to throw my hat in the ring with my recipe: it's intensely chocolate-y. So much so, that chocolatier Robert Steinberg of Scharffen Berger chcolate (http://www.scharffenberger.com) told me that my version of this recipe is the best he's ever had.

These luscious cakes can be assembled hours ahead of when you need them. When you're ready to go, just pop the cakes in the oven and bake away!

Individual Hot Chocolate Cakes
Six individual cakes

10 ounces bittersweet of semisweet chocolate, chopped

4 tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted)

4 large eggs, separated

2 tablespoons, plus 2 tablespoons sugar

additional butter and sugar for preparing the cake molds

1. In a large bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate and the butter together until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in 2 tablespoons of sugar and the egg yolks.

2. Butter six 6-ounce custard cups or ramekins to use as cake molds. Sprinkle the insides with sugar and tap out any excess. Adjust the oven rack to the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees.

3. In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed until they are frothy. Increase the speed and whip until the egg whites start to form soft, wet peaks. Whip in the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and beat just until the whites form shiny, droopy peaks.

4. Fold one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it, then fold the remaining egg whites into the chocolate batter.

Divide the batter into the prepared cake molds, set them on a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, until they feel just slightly baked in the center. Remove from oven and let stand for a moment before unmolding onto serving plates.

I like to serve these with something simple, such as coffee ice cream or a flavored creme anglaise... and of course, warm chocolate sauce alongside too.