Double Chocolate Lava Baby Cakes With Praline Sauce Food

THE BEST CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Brush four 6-ounce ramekins with the melted butter and sprinkle lightly with sugar. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet.
• Combine the chocolate and butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30 second intervals, stirring in between each with a rubber spatula until completely melted and smooth, about 1 1/2 minutes total. Add the vanilla, espresso powder and salt into the chocolate mixture and stir to combine.
• Add the eggs, egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Whisk on medium-high until fluffy and pale, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
• With the mixer on low, add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, mixing until just combined. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and gently fold in the flour using a rubber spatula.
• Divide the batter equally among the 4 prepared ramekins. Bake until the sides are firm but the centers are still soft, 12 to 14 minutes. (A cake tester inserted into the center of each cake should not come out clean.) Do not overbake.
• Let the cakes cool for 1 minute. Invert onto serving plates and serve warm.

CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKES WITH PISTACHIO CREAM

Steps:

• Chocolate Lava Cakes: Spray 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.
• Place pistachios in a food processor and process until a crumbly paste forms.
• This will create pistachio butter.
• Combine 1/4 cup of pistachio butter,1 1/4 cup sugar (you'll have 1/2 cup left over),cocoa, eggs, egg whites and place in a double boiler or heavy sauce pan.
• Stir well with a whisk and add bittersweet chocolate.
• Cook over low heat or simmering water until chocolate melts and sugar dissolves@ 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add baking powder and vanilla.
• Stir with a whisk until smooth.
• Spoon batter into muffin cups and chill for 2 hours.
• Pistachio Butter: Prepare pistachio butter while cakes are chilling.
• Place remaining 1/4 cup of pistachio butter and 1/2 cup sugar in a food processor.
• Pulse 3-4 times.
• Add milk and salt and process until smooth.
• Strain solids out of mixture into a small sauce pan.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for@ 4 minutes.
• Chill pistachio butter while cooking lava cakes.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Bake cakes for 9 minutes or until almost set.
• Centers will be gooey.
• Let cool for 5 minutes.
• Invert cake on a dessert plate and spoon pistachio butter over cake.
• May top with powdered sugar.

MOLTEN CHOCOLATE BABYCAKES

Steps:

• Place a baking sheet on center rack in oven and heat oven to 400 degrees. Butter insides of six 6-ounce heatproof glass or ceramic baking dishes. (If using soufflé dishes, line bottoms with parchment paper; dishes with flared sides will not need lining.)
• In a small saucepan over low heat or in a microwave oven, melt chocolate; set aside to cool slightly. In a medium bowl, beat eggs together with a pinch of salt until frothy; set aside. Using an electric mixer, cream together 4 tablespoons butter and the sugar. Gradually add egg mixture, then vanilla. Add flour and mix well. Add chocolate and blend until smooth.
• Divide batter among six baking dishes and arrange them on baking sheet hot from the oven. Bake until firm and dry on surface, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove dishes from oven and immediately invert cakes onto small plates or shallow bowls. Serve hot.