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French Chocolate Fondant Cake

Halved French chocolate fondant cake on a cake stand.
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5 from 3 reviews

This simple French chocolate fondant cake recipe uses only five basic ingredients. With a warm and gooey texture melting in the mouth, this cake is all about chocolate, a chocolate lover's dream. 

Ingredients

Scale
  • 7 oz. (200 g) dark chocolate, 70% cocoa
  • 7 oz. (200 g) unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup (30 g)  all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 330°F (165°C). Using softened butter, grease the bottom and the sides of the 8-inch (20 cm) springform pan, then line it with parchment paper. Alternatively, use a cake ring where the base is covered with aluminum foil. Place the cake ring in the center of the aluminum foil, then fold the foil toward the ring. Then butter and line the bottom and sides of the dish with the parchment described above. Place it on a baking tray.
  2. Break the dark chocolate into small pieces and place it in a heat-proof bowl. Add the butter, cut into small cubes, and melt in a double boiler (bain-marie). Set aside to cool. You can use the microwave with settings at 30-second bursts.
  3. In a separate bowl, place eggs with sugar. Whip with an electric whisk until doubled and frothy for about 5 minutes. Add the melted chocolate mixture to the eggs and sugar preparation and mix with a rubber spatula. Ensure the chocolate mixture is cooled to prevent the eggs from cooking. Add the sifted flour and gently mix.
  4. Pour the fondant mixture into the prepared mold and bake for 22 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then refrigerate it for at least 3 hours, unmold, and transfer to a serving plate.

    Note: When the cake comes out of the oven, it seems undercooked with a slightly wobbly center, which is normal. If you bake it in a ring, use the baking tray beneath your cake ring when transferring it to the fridge.

  5. To serve, bring the cake to room temperature for 1 hour. Then, dust the top of the cake with icing (powdered) sugar or unsweetened cocoa powder.

Notes

  1. Make sure to use ingredients at room temperature.
  2. Choose a mold with a removable bottom for easy cake release. You will have a hard time removing the cake with a cake tin.
  3. Use an 8-inch (20 cm) pan for the best results. For a smaller or larger pan, recalculate ingredients with this simple cake pan calculator. However, you will need to experiment with the baking time until you obtain the desired texture.
  4. Don't overbake the cake. The cake is ready when its center is slightly wobbly.
  5. Don't under-bake the cake, either. The authentic fondant cake doesn't have a runny center after slicing it. Add 1-2 more minutes if the cake seems too runny after 22 minutes of baking.
  6. To let the cake set well, don't omit the chilling time. It guarantees a more prominent melting texture.
  7. Don't unmold the cake when hot. Let it cool in the fridge, then unmold.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.bakinglikeachef.com/french-chocolate-fondant-cake/