James Martin’s Chocolate Fondant is a baked chocolate dessert with a soft, cake-like exterior and a molten chocolate center. It’s made by baking individual portions in ramekins until the edges are set, while the center remains warm and gooey.
Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Grease each ramekin with butter and dust lightly with cocoa powder to prevent sticking.
In a heatproof bowl over a double boiler, melt the chopped dark chocolate and butter together. Stir occasionally until smooth. Alternatively, melt them in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and caster sugar together until light and frothy, about 2-3 minutes. This step helps create a slightly airy texture on the outer layer of the fondant.
Gradually pour the melted chocolate and butter into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
Sift the flour into the chocolate mixture and gently fold until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make the fondant less gooey.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins, filling each about 3/4 full.
Place the ramekins on a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center should remain soft and gooey.
Allow the fondants to cool for a minute, then carefully turn each ramekin upside down onto a serving plate. Gently lift off the ramekin, and serve the fondants immediately with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.