These extremely indulgent puddings are pure chocolate bliss. They can be baked to have a soft and gooey centre, best served warm, or baked a little longer for a more cake-like result. Whichever way you prefer them, serve with warm chocolate sauce and seasonal berries or ice cream for the ultimate chocolate dessert.
170g Butlers 70% Dark Chocolate Bar
115g unsalted butter, cubed (plus a little extra for greasing)
150g soft light brown sugar
40g cocoa powder, sifted
Pinch salt
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
Chocolate sauce:
80g Butlers 70% Dark Chocolate Bar, roughly chopped
80ml double cream
METHOD:
Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C Fan/375°F/Gas Mark 5) and grease well the insides of four 175ml (6 fl oz) pudding tins with butter.
Roughly break the dark chocolate into a heat-proof bowl and add the butter. Place the bowl over a pot of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. and put a pot of water on to boil. Remove from the heat.
Add the sugar, cocoa powder and salt and mix thoroughly. Add the eggs and whisk with an electric mixer until the mixture is pale and has increased in volume. Spoon the batter into the prepared pudding tins on a baking tray and bake for 12 minutes for a softer and gooey centre or up to 16 minutes for a cake-like result.
While the puddings are baking, prepare the sauce by placing the chocolate in a small heat-proof bowl and setting it aside. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium-high heat just until it starts to bubble. Remove from the heat immediately, then pour over the chocolate. Stir gently until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
When the puddings are done, remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tins for about 5 minutes. They will have risen quite dramatically in the oven, but will shrink down slightly as they cool. Carefully turn the puddings out, flat side down, onto individual serving plates.
Spoon the warm chocolate sauce over the tops of the puddings, allowing it to drip down the sides. Serve warm, decorated with seasonal berries or scoops of vanilla ice cream.