Today’s dessert is Hot Chocolate Fudge Cakes from the most recent issue of Cooking Light. What’s special about this recipes is that it's a lightened up version of a classic make-ahead dessert. And this time of year that’s a real plus, because hosts have enough other aspects of the meal to worry about. Hot Chocolate Fudge Cake, if well executed, never disappoints. It’s served hot so guests fall under the illusion that you went to a lot of trouble when really, all you did was slip away from the dinner table for 2 minutes to slip a tray of these into the oven and start the coffee.
And do these taste light? Well, they were ranked very high by the editors of CL and I can tell you that the ones I made tasted as good as you’d get in a restaurant. The secret is to measure your flour properly not to skimp on the good cocoa and chocolate. Use the best you can afford – and you’ll be able to afford the good stuff because the recipe only calls for a small amount. A little goes a long way.
Speaking of little. If you don’t have 4 oz ramekins, you can find them at most kitchen stores. I bought mine at a store here in Austin called Faraday’s. The 4 oz ramekins look tiny, but when you fill them with batter and actually bake up the little cakes, you’ll be satisfied with their size.
And one last thing, I didn’t bother with the 1 cup of egg substitute. It only cuts 20 calories off each dessert and eggs are cheaper and more convenient. I used 4 large eggs and would do it again that way. If you’re worried about egg safety, you could buy pasteurized eggs.
So all in all I’d say these were seriously good and I’ll be making them again soon.
Scott Bishop says
Now that looks VERY nice indeed! You gotta love anything that chocolate oozes out of!
Anna says
The note is for people concerned about eating things with undercooked eggs. If you're not concerned, don't worry about it. I'm pretty sure the center gets hot enough (160 degrees F) to kill the salmonella, but I've never stuck a thermometer in the center to test. You can't be too careful when it comes to salmonella.
Queenscook says
I don't understand why you say "If you’re worried about egg safety, you could buy pasteurized eggs." The recipe is bakes at 350 for over 20 minutes, so there are no raw eggs to worry about. Am I missing something?
Anna says
Carol, I think they'd be fine without it.
Carol says
I want to make these for a dinner party but do not like coffee and some of the guests don't drink it. Can I leave out the espresso powder and still have a good result ? Thanks.
Anna says
Hi Lorrie,
It sounds to me like either you accidentlly used too much flour (easy to do if you don't have a scale!) or over-cooked them. Has your oven been running a little hot?
But back to the flour, unless you weigh it or *very* carefully spoon and level without shaking the cup, it's easy to use too much. Wish I was there to troubleshoot with you. It's probably one little thing that's messing everything up.
Lorrie says
I tried these today and my centers did not come out molten - just cake-like. Delicious, but not at all gooey in the center. I followed the recipe to the letter. What could have gone wrong?
Anna says
Onew of these days I'll try the chocolate decadence.
pumpkinpie says
I also made this recipe using real eggs. My husband and I thought they were fantastic-- crusty top, gooey middle, and rich chocolate taste. We did not bake the entire recipe at once; just kept the batter in the refrigerator and baked on a need-to-eat basis. The Cooking Light Chocolate Decadence is also really delicious but the serving size is smaller, calories are higher, and the preparation is fussier.
Pearl says
that looks great! i'll pick up some ramekins... they are always so adorable
Karen says
Anna,
Have you made the Chocolate Decadence from Cooking Light? How do these compared. My family loves those but I would like to try this new recipe.
Cocoazilla says
I love Cooking Light. I saw this on the cover and fell in love, it's great to see someone else be able to make it just like the cover! (Gives me hope!)
Dani says
my "to bake" list gets longer every time i visit you LOL
Dorothy says
hahaha i just bought that issue because i loved the picture of the hot fudge cakes on the cover! i'm glad you tried them because i was afraid they would turn out tasting "light"
Another Valerie says
I really wanted to make these when I got my issue but there's only 2 of us and I don't feel like they'd reheat very good and for some reason (I can't remember now) I thought they would be hard to cut in half or smaller. I'll just have to have a few friends over!
Joanna says
these remind me of molten lava cakes. they look amazing!!! are they nice and chocolately in the center? i sure hope so.
Heather - Ghost Baker says
Mmm.. thanks for this review! On impulse I picked up the latest Cooking Light at the grocery store on Monday (yes, seeing the lovely hot chocolate fudge cakes on the cover). I'm glad to know that they're good! I will have to try them at my next dinner party and, as you suggested, slip away to pop them in the oven!
AJ says
I printed it to try, but I'm curious how the granulated sugar works out. My favorite "molten lava cake" recipe uses powdered sugar instead... and I was out once and tried granulated sugar, it just wasn't the same (texture wise).
Here's my fav: http://www.mccormickgourmet.com/gcrecipeprint.cfm?id=11322
I omit the cloves and just do a pinch of cinnamon and ginger. I also use mexican vanilla and add 1.5 tsp.
Anna says
Yes, there was enough batter for 10. Maybe the reviewer filed hers a bit too high?
Jenn's Baking Chamber says
These remind me of the lava cakes that Cactus Club serves! yummmmy!
Sara says
The reviews on the website said that the recipe really only made enough for 7 ramekins, which makes them a lot less light...did you get enough for the full 10 ramekins?
Jennifer says
Wow, that does look great! I love another cooking light ramekin requiring recipe, for chocolate souffle's, so good!
Kim says
This chocolate dessert looks absolutely heavenly! Great job!
VeggieGirl says
Wowza! Those look heavenly.
Madison says
wow, that is making me want chocolate!! looks sooo delicious!