Sunken Chocolate Cakes

These are not molten cakes - they're individual flourless chocolate cakes which, if you do not overcook, will be a great combination of dense and light. I like to make these for company: they come together quickly, but I still have everything prepped, including completing step one, before company arrives so I'm not stuck in the kitchen. Put them in the oven when you sit down to eat, and they'll be ready when dinner's done. From Martha Stewart Living, May 2001. Serves 4.

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut in pieces, plus more for pans
• 1/4 cup sugar, plus more for pans
• 5 ounces best-quality bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (i like to use scharffenberger)
  
• 2 large eggs, separated, plus 2 large egg yolks
• 4 scoops coffee ice cream (1 pint)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter 4 cups in a jumbo nonstick muffin pan, leaving the 2 center cups empty. Coat lightly with sugar, and set aside. Place butter and chocolate in a heat-proof bowl; set over a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally, until melted and thoroughly combined. Remove from heat; set aside.
2. Combine the 4 egg yolks with 2 tablespoons sugar, and whisk until the mixture is pale yellow and thick. Stir in the melted chocolate-and-butter mixture.
3. Whisk egg whites until soft peaks form, add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and whisk until stiff and shiny but not dry. Fold into chocolate mixture. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups, and bake until set and slightly springy to the touch, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven, and transfer to a wire rack. Allow to cool for 15 minutes in pan; carefully run a knife around edges of cakes, and unmold. Serve each with a scoop of coffee ice cream.