Chocolate and chestnut fondants
Fondants were one of the first desserts I mastered after going gluten free. Oh my goodness, the joy of sinking a spoon into something that was both cake and sauce! Chestnut flour makes the little puddings seem more chocolatey. There is nothing tricky about these – just prepare your moulds carefully and keep checking on the fondants as they cook. You can prepare them up to 24 hours in advance and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to bake and serve – just add a couple of minutes to the baking time if cooking from chilled.
Servs 4
Method
Preheat the oven to 195°C/Fan 175°C/Gas 5.
Break the chocolate into small pieces, put into a heatproof bowl with the butter and set over a pan of gently simmering water, making sure the bowl is not touching the water. Leave until melted, stir, then set aside to cool a little.
Meanwhile, generously butter the moulds and dust the inside with cocoa powder to coat completely. Put into the fridge to chill.
Whisk the eggs, sugar and salt together, using an electric hand whisk or balloon whisk, until thick, pale and mousse-like. Add the melted chocolate mixture in a thin, steady stream, whisking constantly, until thick, smooth and glossy.
Sift the flours together over the mixture and fold in gently, using a spatula or large metal spoon, until fully incorporated. Pour the mixture evenly into the moulds.
Bake for 10–12 minutes until the fondants are risen and firm on the top, but still wobbly if pressed. The top should look like cake, not glossy at all. Check after 8 minutes just in case your oven is a little fierce.
Using a cloth to protect your hand, tip each fondant out onto a plate almost immediately and tuck in! Whipped cream is an excellent companion.
Ingredients
- 125g dark chocolate (60–70% cocoa solids)
- 125g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
- Cocoa powder for dusting
- 4 medium eggs
- 75g light muscovado sugar
- A pinch of sea salt
- 40g chestnut flour
- 25g gluten free white flour or rice flour
Equipment
- 4 dariole moulds or small ovenproof teacups
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If you like this recipe, you might like the following course...
Gluten Free Everyday
Learn how to make bread, pastry and treats, with a day of gluten-free baking at the River Cottage Cookery School.
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