Flourless French Chocolate Fondant Cake

Gather the ingredients.

In a large saucepan, stir together the egg yolk and the granulated sugar until it turns light yellow and slightly foamy. In a separate small saucepan over low heat, bring the milk to a simmer.

Once the milk is just beginning to bubble (be careful not to let the milk boil or the milk may curdle), add half of the milk, whisking constantly, to the egg-sugar mixture. Add the remainder of the hot milk to the tempered eggs, continue stirring, and cook over low-medium heat for 1-2 minutes, until the mixture thickens and coats a spoon.

Place the chopped chocolate into a double boiler set over 2 inches of simmering water. Pour the milk-egg mixture over the chocolate, stirring constantly, until it is melted and the mixture is completely smooth. Chocolate can be melted in the microwave but this must be approached with caution as the chocolate can easily burn. 

Add the butter and the vanilla extract to the hot chocolate milk mixture and continue cooking and stirring until the butter is completely melted about 3 minutes. Pour the batter into a very lightly greased 9-inch loaf pan or classic round tin and refrigerate the chocolate fondant for 6 to 8 hours, or overnight.`

To unmold the cake, place the bottom of the pan into a large pan of hot water for 30 seconds. Loosen the edges of the cake with a butter knife or an offset spatula, and invert it onto a chilled serving platter. Cut the cake into crosswise slices and serve it cold.