Molten Chocolate Lava Cake



We had to hold off on the shrimp & grits to give you the molten lava cake we made on Valentine's Day. For some reason I always assumed you put a special chocolate in the center that doesn't quite melt all the way. Who knew it's all the same chocolate?! Oh and I must warn you, this doesn't fit into the healthy category - but it's totally worth it! This recipe is super quick & easy and is perfect for a special meal. I think it's going to be our new Valentine's Day tradition. If you don't have ramekins, you can use 6 cups of a standard muffin tin instead. We just melted the chocolate chips in the microwave to save time, but feel free to use a double broiler instead. If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge, then zap them in the microwave for 15-30 seconds and you have a melty chocolate treat all over again! Modified from Martha Stewart. Up next, shrimp and grits!

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for ramekins
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for ramekins
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips, melted
  • Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
  • Whipped Cream, for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously butter 4 ramekins. Dust with granulated sugar, and tap out excess. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. With the mixer on low speed, beat in flour and salt until just combined. Beat in chocolate until just combined. Divide batter evenly among prepared ramekins.
  3. Place ramekins on a baking sheet; bake just until tops of the cakes no longer jiggle when the pan is lightly shaken, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes
  4. To serve, turn out cakes, and place on serving plates, bottom sides up. Dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve with whipped cream, if desired.

19 comments:

Tyler said...

YUM! That looks like a delicious Valentine's tradition! If you really wanted to go all out, I bet it would be good with some vanilla ice cream, too!!

Leslie said...

I have never made a molten cake. I didn't realize how easy it was! yum

Conor @ HoldtheBeef said...

I think we'll forgive you for not posting about Shrimp & Grits for Valentine's Day! And don't worry about the non-healthiness.. special day food (birthday food, easter food etc) is calorie free. Proven fact!

3 hungry tummies said...

Absolutely worth the extra 30 minutes on the stationary bike!

Anonymous said...

That looks so yummy! I'll be making that when I have the time.

S
http://notjustmedical.wordpress.com

Joanne said...

I absolutely maintain that calories don't count Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, and my birthday. And I guess essentially, considering that these are only four days out of the year - they don't really count in the scheme of things. These look amazing! I love that you can just reheat them and experience chocolate heaven all over again.

Justin said...

looks awesome. i have a feeling that some people do actually put something melty in the middle to get the molten effect. but that seems like a bit of a cheat.

grace said...

i remember when i first realized that molten lava cakes did their thing without anything added to the center--i was in awe. i guess i still am. wonderful v day treat. :)

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

These are gorgeous. I've never made them, but wow, do I want to give your recipe a try. Thanks.
Sam

Jennie said...

I can't get enough of Molten Chocolate cake. Naughty but soooo good! Looking forward to the shrimp and grits!

Juliana said...

OH! Your molten cake looks gorgeous...never tried to make at home...now I do not have an excuse to not to :-)

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

These are so much fun and easy to make... great post!

Chef E said...

Oh if I made these I would go into a molten melt down and eat them all! LOL, but it also would be a good reason to open a good bottle of Pinot Noir too :)

Delicious Dishings said...

That would definitely be a delicious tradition to start! I love molten chocolate cake. It took me a few tries to get it right. It's not as much fun when it's overcooked and the middle is not all molten.

The Cooking Photographer said...

Yum!!!!!!!!!! Must make these!!

Karine said...

That's the way to celebrate Valentine's Day! :)

Sara said...

oh man, I have not made one of these in years. It looks great, that is a tradition I can get on board with :)

Unknown said...

i've never made it either, but it sounds delicious, and totally splurge-worthy :)

Kerstin said...

These look so rich and decadent - yum!

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