Thomas Keller's Chocolate Bouchons (Bouchons au Chocolate)

Name: Thomas Keller's Chocolate Bouchons (Bouchons au Chocolate)
Yield: 12
Ingredients: Butter and flour for the timbale molds; 3/4 c. all-purpose flour; 1 c. Unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tsp. kosher salt; 3 large eggs; 1 1/2 c. granulated sugar; 3 tbsp. granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract; 24 tbsp. unsalted butter; 6 oz. semisweet chocolate; confectioners' sugar

By Thomas KellerPublished: Oct 13, 2009

3 Ratings

Yields:

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These small, brownie-like cakes from Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery are named for their shape, which resembles a cork, or bouchon in French; they are very rich and chocolaty, baked with the chocolate chips in the batter and dusted with confectioners' sugar.

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Ingredients

Butter and flour for the timbale molds
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
24 Tbsp. unsalted butter
6 oz. semisweet chocolate
confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Step 1Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Step 2Butter and flour 12 timbale molds (Bouchon Bakery uses 2-ounce Fleximolds and serves smaller bouchons. You can also use 3-ounce [2- to 2 1/2-inch diameter] timbale molds for larger cakes.) Set aside.
3. Step 3Sift the flour, cocoa powder, and salt into a bowl; set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs and sugar on medium speed for about 3 minutes, or until very pale in color. Mix in the vanilla. On low speed, add about one-third of the dry ingredients, then one-third of the butter, and continue alternating with the remaining flour and butter. Add the chocolate and mix to combine. (The batter can be refrigerated for up to a day.)
4. Step 4Put the timbale molds on a baking sheet. Place the batter in a pastry bag without a tip, and fill each mold about two-thirds full. Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. When the tops look shiny and set (like a brownie), test one cake with a toothpick: It should come out clean but not dry (there may be some melted chocolate from the chopped chocolate). Transfer the bouchons to a cooling rack. After a couple of minutes, invert the timbale molds and let the bouchons cool upside down in the molds; then lift off the molds.
5. Step 5To serve, invert the bouchons and dust them with confectioners' sugar. Serve with ice cream if desired. (The bouchons are best eaten the day they are baked.)