It's the middle of the night and I've got chocolate on my mind. Not just any chocolate, molten chocolate - warm, rich, decadent personal size cake with hot chocolate oozing from the middle, paired with some good vanilla ice-cream...mmmmm so good. The best thing is, it's so quick and easy to make. My family loves when I whip these up for them. I'm in chocolate heaven right now!
Molten Chocolate Lava Cake (4 servings)
1 ½ tsp unsalted butter, plus 1 stick
4 tsp all purpose flour, plus 2 tbsp
6oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2tbsp powdered sugar
2tbsp heavy cream
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
¼ cup granulated sugar
1tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Grease and flour 4 (6-oounce) ramekins with the 1 ½ tsp of butter and 1tsp of flour in each ramekin, tapping out any excess flour. Set on a baking sheet.
In a double boiler, or a metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the remaining 1 stick of butter with the chocolate, cocoa powder, heavy cream, and powdered sugar, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat.
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla and salt until thick ribbons form, about 3 minutes. Sift the 2tbsp flour into the egg mixture and fold together. Fold the chocolate into the egg mixture. Divide the batter equally into the prepared dishes and bake until the sides of the cakes are set and the tops are puffed but still soft, about 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool in ramekins for 2 two minutes, then turn out unto dessert plates, serve warm with your favorite vanilla ice cream.
