Moelleux au chocolat is a rich and delicious French chocolate cake made with dark chocolate, salted butter, eggs, sugar and flour. It is sometimes called a gateau moelleux, gateau moelleux au chocolat or gateau fondant au chocolat. Here in Paris, this a popular dessert to order after a tasty meal in a classic bistro and of our favorite French recipes. If you are looking for other tasty French dessert recipes, make these chocolate dipped madeleines next!
What is moelleux au chocolat?
A tasty and easy French dessert consisting of a baked chocolate cake with a melted, or fondant, center. It is incredibly delicious and the perfect French cake for a special occasions or any time really!
How do you say moelleux au chocolat in English?
This simple French dessert is basically the equivalent of a French chocolate lava cake. It is firm on the outside, soft and flowing on the inside. AMAZING!
Moelleux au Chocolat Ingredients
- Dark chocolate
- Salted butter
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Flour
How to make moelleux au chocolat step by step
- Step 1 – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2 – Put the butter and the chocolate in a bowl.
- Step 3 – Heat in a microwave oven or in a double boiler.
- Step 4 – Mix to combine.
- Step 5 – Whisk the eggs and the sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer until the mix is pale yellow and thick.
- Step 6 – Add the flour and mix to combine, don’t over mix.
- Step 7 – Pour the chocolate mix into the eggs mixture and whisk to combine.
- Step 8 – Butter a cake tin of 9-10 inches.
- Step 9 – Pour the mixture into the cake tin.
- Step 10 – Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
- Step 11 – Remove from oven.
Tips
- Use a high quality dark chocolate.
- Avoid over mixing the ingredients to avoid a stiff cake as a result.
- Don’t over bake! Baking the cake for the correct amount of time is the key to the soft, oozing chocolate center.
Add your own twist
- Add raspberries to make this a raspberry moelleux au chocolat. You could even add a top layer of raspberry jam if you like!
- Swirl in a tbsp of matcha to make this a matcha moelleux au chocolat.
- Add chopped walnuts or hazelnuts to the mix (or your favorite nuts).
- Top with lemon meringue.
- Top with fresh seasonal fruit – if you’re making this for Christmas the seasonal fruits (in North America & Europe) are pears, clementines, persimmons and blood oranges.
FAQs
What chocolate should I use for moelleux au chocolat?
We love Valrhona here in France, but use the best dark chocolate you can find near you!
Is moelleux au chocolat French?
Yes, this is an authentic and classic French dessert!
More Festive Dessert Recipes
- Mediterranean Desserts
- Chocolate Dipped Madeleines
- Happy Marriage Cake
- The Best French Hot Chocolate
- Pear & Chocolate Galette des Rois
- Gourmet Orange Chocolate Fudge
- Festive Kir Breton Cocktail
- Brown Butter Financiers
- Financier Recipes (7+ of our favorites!)
Festive Moelleux au Chocolat
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: For 8
Description
Make this festive French moelleux au chocolat with just 5 ingredients and 7 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 + 1/8 cup of chocolate chunks
- 1.5 stick of salted butter (diced)
- 5 eggs
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of all purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Put the butter and the chocolate in a bowl.
- Heat in a microwave oven or in a double boiler.
- Mix to combine.
- Whisk the eggs and the sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer until the mix is pale yellow and thick.
- Add the flour and mix to combine, don’t over mix.
- Pour the chocolate mix into the eggs mixture and whisk to combine.
- Butter a cake tin of 9-10 inches.
- Pour the mixture into the cake tin.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: French
First published December 21, 2017. Last updated June 13, 2021 with more information, additional tips, and better readability.
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Stephanie says
I used cocoa powder last time. Excited to try this. Happy holidays from Canadas West coast xx
A Hedgehog in the Kitchen says
Ooh I hope you love it, Stephanie! It is very chocolatey!! Happy Holidays from Picardie, France! <3
Camila says
My mouth is watering 🙂 I loved this simple and amazing recipe. Surely, I will try it once. Thanks for the recipe.
A Hedgehog in the Kitchen says
Thanks! I hope you like it 🙂