Sunken Chocolate Cakes Martha Stewart

By lisalang

From: Gaye Pecker

Ingredients

• Serves 4
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut in pieces, plus more for pans
• 1/4 cup sugar, plus more for pans
• 5 ounces best-quality bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 2 large eggs, separated, plus 2 large egg yolks
• 4 scoops coffee ice cream (1 pint)

Preparation

Step 1

Combine the 4 egg yolks with 2 tablespoons sugar, and whisk until the mixture is pale yellow and thick. Stir in the melted chocolate-and-butter mixture.
Whisk egg whites until soft peaks form, add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and whisk until stiff and shiny but not dry. Fold into chocolate mixture. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups, and bake until set and slightly springy to the touch, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven, and transfer to a wire rack. Allow to cool for 15 minutes in pan; carefully run a knife around edges of cakes, and unmold. Serve each with a scoop of coffee ice cream.

Coating the muffin tins with butter and sugar gives these little cakes sparkle and a bit of crunch.