Mini Chocolate Cakes with Caramelized Bananas

  Desserts

This was one of my first times spreading my wings with a recipe and trying to go a bit fancy. This is a breeze to make and a delight to serve. The recipe may look intimidating but after you try it once, you'll have it down pat.

Mini Chocolate Cakes with Caramelized Bananas

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TOTAL TIME: Prep: 50 min. Bake: 15 min. + cooling
YIELD: 8 ramekins.

Ingredients

  • 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • Baking cocoa

  • CARAMELIZED BANANAS:
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 medium bananas, cut into 1-inch slices
  • 2 tablespoons sugar

  • SAUCE:
  • 1 cup white wine or unsweetened apple juice
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 400°. In a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Cool. Beat eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt on high speed until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Sift in flour; mix just until combined. Fold in chocolate mixture.
  • 2. Spoon batter into eight buttered 4-oz. ramekins dusted with cocoa. Place ramekins on a baking sheet. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 12-15 minutes. Run a small knife around sides of ramekins. Invert onto cooling rack; let stand 5 minutes. Remove ramekins; place cakes on individual plates.
  • 3. For bananas, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss banana slices with sugar until well coated; arrange in a single layer in skillet. Do not stir bananas until bottoms are golden brown, 4-5 minutes. Turn; cook until second side is golden brown, 4-5 minutes longer. Remove from heat. Place bananas on plates with cakes.
  • 4. For sauce, heat wine and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Whisk in chocolate. Pour over cakes.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 458 calories, 26g fat (15g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 76mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.

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