Liquid Center Chocolate Torte Recipes

RICH FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In a heavy bottomed pot, combine the sugar and corn syrup and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Melt the 20 ounces chopped chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir the chocolate occasionally as it melts. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter. Set aside to cool slightly. With an electric mixer, beat the eggs at high speed until frothy. Lower the speed to medium and carefully pour the hot syrup into the beaten eggs. Add the melted chocolate and butter mixture and blend to a smooth consistency. Butter a 10 inch to 12inch round cake pan lightly and pour in the chocolate mixture. Set the cake pan into a larger pan (such as a roasting pan) and add hot water to rise halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake about 45 to 50 minutes.
• Being very careful not to scald yourself or get water into the torte, remove the pans from the oven, and remove the cake pan from the water bath. Cool the torte completely to room temperature before unmolding. Run a sharp knife around the inner circumference of the pan. Place a plate over the pan, invert, and, if necessary, tap the bottom of the pan with the knife handle to encourage the torte to release.
• The torte should then be refrigerated for at least 3 hours before serving. While the torte is cooling, place the heavy cream in a thick bottomed pot and begin to heat gently. Add the remaining 8 ounces of chocolate, stir together while the chocolate begins to melt in the hot cream. Being careful not to burn, boil or scorch the chocolate, when the chocolate has melted almost entirely, remove from the heat and allow to cool for several minutes before pouring over the torte for a glossy "finish". Place the unmolded torte on a baking rack with a cookie sheet underneath, and pour slightly cooled chocolate ganache directly onto the center of the torte in one motion so that it will flow out in one smooth sheet over the top and sides of the torte. You can gently help this along with the aid of a spatula but is important to use still warmed ganache.
• Allow to dry a few moments at room temperature. Then place the torte, baking rack, and cookie sheet into the refrigerator to chill completely and set firm. If you haven't overheated the chocolate or cream, this "ganache" will set and harden into a shiny "couverture" during the hour the torte is chilling in the refrigerator.

LIQUID CENTER CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat a convection oven to 375 degrees F or 400 degree F oven if not a convection oven.
• Bring 2-inches of water to a simmer in a medium pot over low heat. Put the butter and chocolate into a bowl that fits on top of the pot without the bottom of the bowl touching the water. Put the bowl onto the pot. When the butter and chocolate have melted, remove from the heat, and whisk in the powdered sugar.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and eggs over the simmering water until warm. Fold in the chocolate mixture and the bourbon, then fold in the cake flour.
• Spray 6 (4-ounce) cake tins with nonstick cooking spray. Fill the tins to a 1/2-inch from the top with the batter. Bake until they are set around the edges but are still a bit liquid in the center, about 10 to 12 minutes. Check them after 10 minutes. Don't overcook them or the center will not be liquid. Remove them from the oven and let them sit for 1 minute.
• While the torte is baking, heat the canola oil in a small skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the plantain slices in 1 layer and quickly fry them on both sides until they are crisp. Remove them from pan and drain them on paper towels.
• Slice the banana on the bias into 1/2-inch thick slices and put them on a small sheet pan. Sprinkle with the sugar, and caramelize them using a creme brulee torch or the broiler.
• Spread the Salted Caramel Sauce onto each plate and unmold the torte on top. Garnish with a slice of caramelized banana a fried plantain before serving.
• Salted Caramel Sauce:
• Add the cream to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil Remove from the heat, and set aside.
• Melt the sugar in a large heavy bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. When the sugar starts to turn a caramel color around the edges, stir until the sugar is melted. When the sugar is a deep caramel color, slowly add the cream (watch out, it will splatter) and stir in the sea salt. Serve warm.
• Yield: about 2 1/2 cups

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter the bottom and side of a 9-inch springform pan. Combine the chocolate and 1 1/2 sticks butter in a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and stir until melted and combined. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and let cool slightly.
• Combine the eggs, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and thick, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Gently fold half of the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until just combined, then gently fold in the rest. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the top is no longer shiny and barely jiggles and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few crumbs, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely in the pan. Remove the springform ring and transfer to a platter; dust with cocoa powder.

CHOCOLATE CAKES WITH LIQUID CENTERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Butter and flour four 4 ounce ramekins or custard cups.
• In the top half of a double boiler set over simmering water, heat the butter and the chocolate until chocolate is almost completely melted.
• Beat the eggs, egg yolks and sugar together until light colored and thick.
• Beat together the melted chocolate and butter. While beating, slowly pour the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, then quickly beat in the flour and mix until just combined.
• Divide the batter between the four molds and bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 6 to 7 minutes. The centers of the cakes will still be quite soft. Invert cakes on serving plates and let sit for about 15 seconds, then unmold. Serve immediately with fresh whipped cream, if desired.

CHOCOLATE-ALMOND SOUFFLé TORTE

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter and flour 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Shake out excess flour. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; butter paper.
• Combine 1/2 cup whole almonds and 2 tablespoons sugar in processor. Using on/off turns, grind nuts finely. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Combine remaining 1/2 cup whole almonds and vegetable oil in processor. Process until mixture is thick and pasty (consistency will be similar to that of peanut butter), scraping bowl frequently, about 3 minutes.
• Stir butter and 1/2 cup whipping cream in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until butter melts and mixture simmers. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until smooth. Stir in both almond mixtures. Cool slightly.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Beat egg yolks in another large bowl until very pale and thick, about 5 minutes. Gradually beat chocolate mixture into egg yolks. Fold in egg whites in 3 additions.
• Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake cake until sides crack and puff and tester inserted into center comes out with moist batter attached, about 35 minutes. Transfer cake to rack. Cool cake to room temperature, about 2 hours (center will fall slightly as cake cools.) (Can be prepared 4 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Beat chilled cream, amaretto and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in large bowl until soft peaks form.
• Run small sharp knife around pan sides to loosen cake. Release pan sides. Dust cake with powdered sugar. Sprinkle toasted almond slices around top edge of cake. Serve chilled or at room temperature with whipped cream.