Best ramekins for chocolate molten cakes

[seabream]

What is the best shape and size for chocolate molten cake ramekins?

I am having some trouble getting them to come out pretty with my 6 oz straight side ramekins.They're good for us, but not nice enough to serve when we have guests. A friend of mine made some beautiful and very molten chocolate cakes with 10 oz slope sided ramekins. We're both using the same recipe from "The New Best Recipe" cookbook. I am wondering if the sloped shape makes them come out easier with a nicer final shape, and if the bigger size makes it easier to not overcook them.

What ramekins do you use for chocolate molten cakes? Do they come out very molten inside and beautiful enough to serve in a restaurant on the outside?

[cats2]

When I've baked that sort of cake, the only thing that really helped me was when I started using Pam for baking, rather than buttering & using cocoa to coat. Now I have no problem removing them from my ramekins & as a result, they look nice :-) I was using the CI recipe too. Have no experience using custard cups for these cakes, but I think I'd prefer the straight sides more.

[seabream]

Great advice - thanks! I never used pam. Will give it a try.

I used butter and flour today and the molten cakes stuck quite a bit to the bottom, especially around the perimeter. That certianly contributed to their ugly messy look.

Do you use 6 oz straight side ramekins or bigger?

[FrogPrincesse]

I bake mine in a cupcake pan with paper liners. That way unmolding is never an issue.

[seabream]

Great idea! Do you use paper lines with ridges? Do you remove the liners before serving?

[FrogPrincesse]

Great idea! Do you use paper lines with ridges? Do you remove the liners before serving?

seabream,

The liners have little ridges which are barely visible on the cakes. I remove the liners before serving. I always make a few extra cakes for the next day that I reheat briefly with their liner in a microwave or in a warming drawer.

[seabream]

Great idea! Do you use paper lines with ridges? Do you remove the liners before serving?

seabream,

The liners have little ridges which are barely visible on the cakes. I remove the liners before serving. I always make a few extra cakes for the next day that I reheat briefly with their liner in a microwave or in a warming drawer.

Makes sense. I need to try that

[cats2]

Great advice - thanks! I never used pam. Will give it a try.

I used butter and flour today and the molten cakes stuck quite a bit to the bottom, especially around the perimeter. That certianly contributed to their ugly messy look.

Do you use 6 oz straight side ramekins or bigger?

6oz ramekins...odd thing is that I have 2 different types, both are 6 oz, one of smaller diameter with higher walls, and one with a larger diameter and lower walls. I prefer the larger diameter one.

[seabream]

Thanks for the info and photos. Mine are exactly like your wider one on the left.

I will try the recipe again as soon as I get pam for baking and will report back.