David Lebovitz' Chocolate Yogurt Cakes

Have been enjoying reading David Lebovitz' book, The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious and Perplexing City.  The recipe for chocolate yogurt cakes came from this book. It's simple and easy. It turns out he has a very nice blog loaded with recipes.

I found the recipe for his chocolate yogurt cakes online in this blogger's post at the Steamy Kitchen.
Podcast below on the Steamy Kitchen.
David Lebovitz Chocolate Yogurt Snack Cake from Jaden Hair on Vimeo.

Makes 12 individual cakes
7 ounces (200g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup (125ml) unflavored vegetable oil, divided
1/2 cup (125ml) plain, whole-milk yogurt
1 cup (200g) sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 cups (180g) flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
whipped cream (optional – that’s just my little addition to his recipe)
1. Preheat the oven to 350f (180C). Line a muffin tin with 12 indentations with paper cupcake liners, or lightly butter them.
2. In a heatproof bowl set over simmering water, melt the chocolate with 1/4 cup (60ml) of the oil. Once melted and smooth, remove from heat.
3. In another bowl, mix together the remaining 1/4 cup (65ml) of oil with the yogurt, sugar, eggs, and vanilla and almond extracts.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the yogurt mixture. Stir lightly a couple of time, then add the melted chocolate, and stir until just smooth.
5. Divide the batter into the muffin tins and bake for 25 minutes, or until they feel barely set in the middle.
6. Remove from oven and cool before serving. Top with some whipped cream, if desired.

The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious and Perplexing City.
His blog: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/