American

Individual Chocolate Cakes with Dulce de Leche and Fleur de Sel

by:
April 24, 2014
4.3
3 Ratings
Individual Chocolate Cakes with Dulce de Leche and Fleur de Sel
Photo by My Paris Kitchen
  • Serves 6
Author Notes

Because of the sticky dulce de leche in the bottom, I use standard 4-ounce (125ml) porcelain ramekins and serve the cakes right in the ramekins. But you can use any kind of ovenproof custard cup for this recipe; the mixture will rise a bit in the oven, but not enough to overflow.

Do be sure to let the cakes cool for at least 5 minutes before serving, and let guests know the little molds are still hot. To cool things down, serve these with a scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream, or pass a pitcher of cold, heavy cream for guests to help themselves.

Note: You can find dulce de leche at well-stocked supermarkets or stores that specialize in Mexican and South American products, or you can make your own, using the recipe on my website. —David Lebovitz

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 8 tablespoons (4 ounces/115g) unsalted butter, cubed
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for the ramekins
  • 6 generous tablespoons dulce de leche (see note)
  • 1 scant teaspoon flaky sea salt, preferably fleur de sel
  • 8 ounces (225g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 6 tablespoons (90g) packed light brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
  2. Butter six ramekins or custard cups. Dust each with cocoa powder and tap out any excess. Put a heaping tablespoon of dulce de leche in each cup, then divide the flaky salt among them by sprinkling it over the dulce de leche. Put the custard cups on a baking sheet.
  3. In a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the chocolate with the butter, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the cocoa powder and the brown sugar. Mix in the eggs, one at a time.
  4. Divide the chocolate mixture among the custard cups and bake for 15 minutes, or until the sides are firm but the center is still shiny and quite jiggly. Let the cakes cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.
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12 Reviews

Melanie
Melanie July 13, 2024
I made these last night for company and they were a complete hit! I added a touch of cinnamon to complement the dulce de leche. Prepared them earlier in the day, and held in the fridge until I served dinner, when I set them to rest on the counter. As we finished dinner, I popped them in the oven, et voila! David L. never disappoints!
 
Nan
Nan October 4, 2016
Restaurant quality dessert! Since there were only 4 of us for dessert, I used 7 ounce size ramekins (instead of the recommended 4 ounce size) and divided the batter between them, cooked for about 18-20 minutes. That was too much goodness for one sitting. Very indulgent. All agreed it was as good as we would get in a fancy restaurant.
 
David L.
David L. November 11, 2016
Very happy you liked them!
 
bwf17
bwf17 March 11, 2015
What size ramekins please?
 
David L.
David L. November 11, 2016
Hi bwf17: I use 4oz/125ml sized ramekins (that's noted in the headnote, before the recipe) but as Nan noted in this comment thread, she used larger ones and they came out great in them. Happy baking!
 
Hailey7
Hailey7 May 12, 2014
They were very good. Warning: if you're particular about texture, you might want to bake them just a little longer, because I thought mine were firm after 13 minutes, but the centers were still very gooey. They are also very, very rich; most of us could only finish half a ramekin, and we're hearty eaters.
 
FJT
FJT May 2, 2014
Looks like a great gluten-free dessert - definitely going to try this!!
 
marymary
marymary May 2, 2014
Making this for Mother's Day - Thanks!
 
Tami W.
Tami W. May 2, 2014
This looks amazing! I love to make French truffles with Valhrona chocolate! And I adore Paris!
 
Kelly
Kelly May 2, 2014
Poco Dulce Toffee Chocolate
 
Zensister
Zensister May 2, 2014
My favorite indulgence changes with my mood. Today, I'm looking forward to dark chocolate covered marzipan with apricot gelee. If the SoCal heat wave doesn't let up soon, it will be your chocolate sorbet.
 
hagarita
hagarita May 1, 2014
this sounds so delicious! i can't wait to make them.
i usually go for a good chocolate mousse when i need to satisfy my cacao craving.