Description
A rich and indulgent French chocolate cake with a light outer crumb and a luscious molten center layer. Perfect served warm with cream or ice cream.
Ingredients
- 225 g unsalted butter (cut into cubes, plus extra for greasing)
- 225 g good-quality 70% dark chocolate (roughly chopped)
- 75 g cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
- 7 large eggs (separated)
- 265 g caster sugar
- Double cream, ice cream, or custard (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C fan (or 200C conventional). Grease a 23 cm springform tin and line the base with baking paper.
- Melt butter and chocolate together in a microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth, or over a bain-marie.
- Sift in cocoa powder and salt, then stir until smooth. Set aside.
- Separate eggs into two bowls. Whisk egg yolks with 135 g sugar until pale and thick.
- In a clean bowl, whisk egg whites to soft peaks, then gradually add remaining sugar and whisk to stiff, glossy peaks.
- Mix melted chocolate into the egg yolk mixture. Stir well.
- Add two spoonfuls of egg whites to the chocolate mixture and mix vigorously.
- Gently fold in remaining egg whites until fully combined.
- Pour two-thirds of the batter into the tin and bake for about 25 minutes until set. Cool completely.
- Reserve the remaining batter at room temperature or refrigerate.
- Reheat oven to 180C fan and line a baking tray.
- Remove cooled cake from tin and place on tray. Spread or pour reserved batter on top.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes until a thin crust forms but center remains soft.
- Let stand for 10 minutes, then slice and serve warm or chilled with cream, ice cream, or custard.
Notes
- Ensure bowls for egg whites are completely clean for proper whipping.
- Do not overmix when folding to keep the batter light and airy.
- Refrigerated batter may need gentle spreading before baking.
- Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat slightly before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
