GLORIOUSLY GOOEY FONDANTS

LIKE souffles, chocolate fondants can be prepared in advance but will need a little extra time to cook if the mixture is fridge cold when it goes into the oven. Making one extra for testing purposes (a treat for the cook) can take the pressure off deciding exactly when to remove the fondants from the oven. They can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead and kept in the fridge until ready to cook. They are delicious served with vanilla ice cream, as the molten centre acts as a hot chocolate sauce. You will need 5 dariole pudding moulds, 150ml (¼pt) capacity. Serves 4 (makes one extra as a test)

FOR THE MOULDS

● 20g (½oz) unsalted butter to grease ● Cocoa powder, to dust

FOR THE FONDANTS

● 100g (3½oz) butter

● 200g (7oz) good quality dark chocolate, about 70% cocoa solids ● 3 eggs, plus 2 extra yolks ● 100g (3½oz) caster sugar ● 50g (1¾oz) plain flour Melt the 20g butter and use to brush the insides of 5 dariole moulds. Sift some cocoa powder into each and shake it around so the insides of the moulds are lightly dusted. Tap out any excess and place the moulds in the freezer. Cut the butter into cubes and break the chocolate into pieces. Put the butter and chocolate into a medium heatproof bowl. Bring a pan of water to the boil, then take it off the heat. Stand the bowl over the pan, making sure the base of the bowl is not touching the water. Leave to melt, stirring occasionally. Put the eggs, extra yolks and sugar in a large bowl and whisk using a hand-held electric whisk until thick and mousse-like. This can be done over a steaming pan to speed up the process, but must then be whisked off the heat until cool again. Using a large metal spoon, fold the melted chocolate mix into the egg mixture, then sift and carefully fold in the flour. Divide between the chilled moulds, filling them to 1cm from the top. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours. Heat the oven to 200c/fan 180c/gas mark 6. Place the fondants on a baking tray and cook

in the oven for 12–15 minutes, depending on the oven (an electric oven will be quicker than a gas one). Remove the spare ‘tester’ fondant after 12 minutes to test. It should be well risen and set on the outside but still molten in the centre when you cut into it. When they are ready, take the remaining puddings out of the oven. Leave them to stand for a minute or two, then remove from the moulds, inverting them onto plates. Serve immediately.