Mini Chocolate Cakes with Caramelized Bananas

Name: Mini Chocolate Cakes with Caramelized Bananas
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 8 ramekins.
Ingredients: 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 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

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

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. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Ingredients

5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter
4 large eggs, room temperature
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

Directions

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 8 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.