Molten Chocolate Pots

Last night, John and I both fancied something sweet for dessert. We toyed with the idea of baking some cookies, but would have needed to go to the shops to buy cocoa. I was determined to make something with what we had, and so we went back to the drawing board. John came up with the idea of chocolate covered granola, which didn't hold great appeal to me, and I came up with molten chocolate pots, which John only likes to eat cold.

So, we declared a dessert race. We would both make our respective desserts, and see who won. Since John's chocolate granola literally just involved melting some chocolate and pouring it over granola, he was certain he would win. And if speed of the recipe determined the winner, then yes, he won. But if the winner was the one who got to eat chocolately goodness first, then I definitely one. Hands down.

So, these molten chocolate pots are really quick to make (but not as quick as just melting chocolate...). They are beautiful both hot and cold. The recipe makes 4 - 5 desserts, so unless you have friends round, or a larger family than us, they can last two days, and you can try them both ways. When they're hot, they have a crispy brownie-like top layer, and a molten puddle of fudgy chocolate underneath. When they're cold, they are just like a beautiful chocolate fudge.

ingredients
125g dark chocolate (doesn't need to be 70% cocoa solids but if you like it dark, go with it.)
125g unsalted butter
150g caster sugar
35g plain (all purpose) flour
splash of vanilla extract (only if you have good quality vanilla. If you only have essence, leave it out.)
3 eggs

method
1) Preheat the oven to 200C / gas mark 5.
2) Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over simmering water, or in a microwave.
3) In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and sugar for a couple of minutes until they are pale.
4) Stir in the flour and vanilla extract
5) Pour in the melted chocolate and butter, and combine
6) Grease 4 - 5 ramekins and dust with sugar then divide the mixture between them.
7) Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Once you've removed them from the oven, place the ones you're going to eat in another bowl so you don't burn your fingers as you enjoy the molten goodness. Unless, of course, you have a lot of restraint, and can wait until they're cool before eating them!