Best 4 Chef Johns Chocolate Decadence Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE

Steps:

• Generously butter the inside of 4 (5 1/2 ounce) ramekins. Place them in a casserole dish.
• Whisk together egg yolks, eggs, and sugar in a bowl until light, foamy, and lemon colored.
• Melt chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each melting, 1 to 3 minutes.
• Stir melted chocolate mixture into egg and sugar mixture until combined.
• Sift cocoa powder into the mixture; stir to combine.
• Sift flour and salt into the mixture; stir to combine into a batter.
• Stir vanilla extract into the batter.
• Transfer batter to a resealable plastic bag. Snip one corner of the bag with scissors to create a tip.
• Divide batter evenly between the prepared ramekins; tap gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
• Refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Arrange the ramekins in a casserole dish. Pour enough hot tap water into the casserole dish to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
• Bake in the preheated over for 15-18 minutes. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes.
• Loosen the edges from the ramekin with a knife. Invert each cake onto a plate and dust with powdered sugar.

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE DESSERT

Steps:

• Stir chocolate, instant coffee, and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Heat cream, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it just begins to simmer.
• Pour hot cream mixture over the chocolate mixture; let sit for 1 minute.
• Whisk the chocolate and cream mixture for 1-2 minutes until combined.
• Pour the mixture into four small espresso cups. Tap to remove any air bubbles. Chill thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
• Serve topped with grated chocolate, or add lightly whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder.

CHEF JOHN'S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk flour, salt, and baking soda together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, cream the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar together until mixture is light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk liquids together in small areas around the bowl, then all together to avoid separation.
• Pour dry ingredients into the wet ingredients; stir until flour is thoroughly mixed in. Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Transfer dough to a resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate until dough is firm, at least 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough and place on prepared baking sheet, leaving 4 inches of space between cookies (about 8 per sheet). Bake in preheated oven until cookies are golden brown, about 12 minutes. Slide parchment and cookies onto a cooling rack for a few minutes. Remove parchment and finish cooling the cookies on the rack.

CHEF JOHN'S BOSTON CREAM PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Spray 2 (8-inch) cake pans with cooking spray.
• Stir yellow cake mix, 3 eggs, water, and vegetable oil in a bowl until moistened. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Divide cake batter between the two prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cakes have risen and are lightly golden brown, 33 to 38 minutes. Check for doneness after 25 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes should come out clean. Allow cakes to cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the pans. Cool cakes completely, about 40 minutes.
• Whisk 3 eggs, cornstarch, and sugar in a large bowl until well mixed and lemon colored, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
• Heat 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whole milk, and 1/2 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to boil.
• Reduce heat to low; pour egg mixture into cream mixture and whisk until thick, about 1 minute.
• Pour egg and cream mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl; discard any chunks.
• Whisk vanilla and salt into the egg and cream mixture until combined. Cover with a layer of plastic wrap pressed against the surface. Chill in refrigerator to form a pastry cream texture, 3 to 4 hours.
• Place chocolate in a large bowl. Heat 1 teaspoon butter and 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream in a saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted. Pour cream mixture over chocolate and whisk until smooth. Set aside until cooled, but still pourable, about 20 minutes.
• Place one cake layer on a plate, flat side up. Spread pastry cream to within 1-inch of the edge of cake. Place second cake layer on top, rounded side up. Press gently to push pastry cream to the edge. Pour chocolate mixture over top of the cake and spread so it drips over the edge.