The Yard House Has A Unique Approach To Chocolate Cake But It Works Wonders

If, after enjoying a meal at your favorite chain restaurant, you've still got room for a sweet treat, there are usually a few good options from which to choose. Most dessert menus will feature a standard selection of cake, pie, and ice cream that varies among brands. When it comes to the absolute best chain restaurant chocolate cakes, however, one entry is especially unique in its presentation and flavor profile. Bucking the expectations of overloaded saccharine sweetness is none other than the Yard House and its chocolate lava cake. Per Tasting Table's assessment, its appearance is considerably darker than most other chocolate cake offerings, with a significant presence of bitter-tasting cocoa. The sweet spot is, quite literally, in the center with a rich chocolate ganache that effectively balances out the intensity of its outer housing.

Albeit shrouded behind an unassuming visage, the taste and texture of this chain restaurant's chocolate cake is the epitome of luxury. While most other cakes literally and figuratively pale in comparison, the Yard House has dared to step up its game with a slice of sophistication. In addition to being home to the absolute best chain restaurant nachos, the Yard House can now also boast about serving a chocolate lava cake that is a cut above the rest.

Per the Yard House website, its chocolate lava cake is made with "Belgian chocolate cake" and a "warm ganache center" which is accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Copycat recipes recommend a minimal list of ingredients, which include bittersweet chocolate, unsalted butter, eggs and egg yolks, granulated sugar, sea salt, vanilla extract, and bread flour. Getting the proper amount of intense dark chocolate flavor for the cake seems like the most challenging aspect, while the gooey chocolate ganache center will likely be the most satisfying. Knowing the stark contrast between the cake and its chocolate "lava" filling, it's important to strike this balance carefully and thoughtfully.

It's been long-opined that chocolate ganache is the secret to foolproof chocolate lava cake, but it seems that Yard House takes this a step further. While a bittersweet dessert could typically be seen as a mistake, this intentionally complex chocolate cake is a rewarding sensation for the taste buds. One of the most interesting things about chocolate is how the amount of cocoa can affect the overall taste, and that combining chocolates with varying percentages of cocoa can yield a richer and more fulfilling confection. Though most people with a sweet tooth love sugary treats, Yard House's chocolate lava cake offers a more refined option that challenges diners to try something new and come away with an appreciation for desserts that have a more three-dimensional profile.