Winter-Spiced Molten Chocolate Cakes with Rum-Ginger Ice Cream

Photo by Pornchai Mittongtare

from Bon Appétit, January 2004

recreated by Sisi Damner

serves 8

Ice Cream:

1 quart of vanilla ice cream, softened

2 tablespoons chopped ginger (chopped by hand)

1 tablespoon dark rum 

Place softened ice cream in medium bowl. Fold the ginger and rum into the ice cream and transfer to airtight container. Freeze the mixture at least 4 hours. (Can be made the day ahead).

Cakes:

14 ounces good quality bittersweet chocolate

1 1/4 cups unsalted butter

2 teaspoons ground coriander

2 teaspoons ground cardamom

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

6 large eggs

6 large egg yolks

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups powdered sugar

1 cup all purpose flour

powdered sugar and crystallized ginger strips for garnish

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Spray Pam or butter eight 3/4-cup soufflé dishes. Stir chocolate, butter, and spices in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Cool slightly. Whisk eggs, yolks, and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Whisk in powdered sugar, then the chocolate mixture, and then the flour. Transfer the batter to prepared soufflé dishes, filling to the top. (Can be made one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate).

Bake until the batter has risen above the dishes, top edges are dark brown, and CENTERS ARE STILL SOFT AND RUNNY , about 15 minutes (or 18 minutes ifthey have been refrigerated). Run a small knife around cakes to loosen. Allow cakes to rest in dishes 5 minutes. Carefully turn the dishes by placing a plate on the top of each cake and invert it onto the plate. Dust each dessert with powdered sugar and top with crystallized ginger. Serve cakes with the ginger-rum ice cream.

These cakes are amazing and totally sinful. They topped off our Christmas dinner last year and we all loved every bite. They are great for parties because they can be assembled completely the day before and then quickly baked before serving. The oozing centers combined with the ginger ice cream make for a memorable treat.