Chocohotopots Not Shiny Or Gooey

Asked by Ton90. Answered on 23rd June 2016

Full question

Dear Team Nigella, I've made Nigella's Chocohotopots before but have never been able to get that shiny top and gooey centre - the top and outer edges cook more like a cake than a gooey lava type of cake. Any suggestions as to what I could be doing wrong? I've followed the recipe from the tv show and can't seem to get it right! I should also note that I have a fan forced oven. Thanks in advance.

Our answer

Nigella's Chocohotopots (from FEAST) are gooey hot chocolate desserts that are baked in ramekins. The pots are baked at 200C (400F) but it should be noted that this is the temperature for a conventional oven and a fan oven will need to be adjusted following the handbook recommendations (usually the temperature on a fan oven is reduced by 20C/50F)). From the description we suspect that the pots are being baked slightly too much and a reduction in oven temperature may help.

Even with the lower temperature, smaller items may cook more quickly so we suggest having a quick look at the pots after 15 minutes baking to see if they are done, as they can turn from gooey to spongy very quickly. The pots are done when the tops are slightly risen, just set and shiny. The pots will continue to cook as they stand, so very carefully transfer the ramekins to plates and serve as quickly as possible - warning the lucky recipients that they are very hot.