The Sweet Life in Paris and Chocolate Yogurt Snack Cakes

I just finished reading an extremely entertaining book, The Sweet Life In Paris by David Lebovitz. It was a perfect read for a imaginary summer getaway. Lebovitz does a delicious job at demystifying everything French. He reveals French recipes and his own creations after every segment in the book. I highly recommend it for any foodie!

The author and I have a few things in common. The main thing is chocolate! He includes a lot of different chocolaty recipes, including a certain one that caught my eye: Chocolate Yogurt Snack Cakes. I approve... they're extremely dense, moist and not to mention, adorable!

7 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract (I didn't have any, so I didn't use it. Doubled vanilla instead)

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp course salt

Makes one dozen cakes

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the cups of a muffin tin or use muffin cups.

-In a heatproof bowl set over simmering water, melt the chocolate with 1/4 cup of the oil. Once melted and smooth, remove from heat.

-In another bowl, mix the remaining 1/4 cup oil with the yogurt. eggs, and the extracts.

-In a large bowl sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. 

-Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the yogurt mixture. Stir lightly a few times, then add the melted chocolate, stir until smooth.

-Divide the batter among the muffin cups and bake for 20-25 minutes or until they feel barely set in the middle.

-Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack before serving. 

* Preferably, serve with a hot drink and homemade whip cream!

-éclair