As promised, the chocolate bouchon recipe from Bouchon by Thomas Keller with Jeffrey Cerciello (Artisan, 2004).
Note: Bouchon uses 2-ounce Fleximolds. He says you can also use 3-ounce fleximolds.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour twelve timbale molds. Set aside.
Sift the flour, cocoa powder, and salt into a bowl; set aside.
In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in another large bowl if using a handhels mixer, mix together the eggs and sugar on medium speed for about 3 minutes, or until very pale in color. Mix in the vanilla. On low speed, add about one-third of the dry ingredients, then one-third of the butter, and continue alternating with the remaining flour and butter. Add the chocolate and mix to combine. (The batter can be refrigerated for up to a day.)
Put the timbale molds on a baking sheet. Place the batter in a pastry bag without a tip, or with a large plain tip, and fill each mold about two-thirds full. Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. When the tops look shiny and set (like a brownie), test one cake with a wooden skewer or toothpick: It should come out clean but not dry (there may be some melted chocolate from the chopped chocolate). Transfer the bouchons to a cooling rack. After a couple of minutes, invert the timbale molds and let the bouchons cool upside down in the molds; then lift off the molds. (The bouchons are best eaten the day they are baked.)
TO SERVE: Invert the bouchons and dust them with confectioners' sugar. Serve with ice cream, if desired.
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