Molten Lava Cakes A Fool Proof Food

EASY CHOCOLATE MOLTEN LAVA CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Generously butter and dust 5 (4 oz) ramekins with cocoa powder or sugar; set aside.
• In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate and butter in 30-second increments.
• In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy. Whisk in the melted chocolate along with the flour, vanilla, and instant coffee if desired.
• Divide batter into ramekins and place them on a baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes or until the edges begin to pull away from the ramekins but the center is still jiggly.
• Remove from oven and serve immediately with ice cream.

MOLTEN LAVA CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter eight 6-ounce ramekins and sprinkle each with 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar.
• Combine the butter, cinnamon, cayenne, nutmeg and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until melted and smooth. Cool slightly. Whisk the flour, confectioners' sugar, eggs and yolks, vanilla extract and almond extract in a bowl until creamy. Whisk in the melted chocolate mixture. Divide among the prepared ramekins.
• Bake the cakes until the tops are stiff and the edges darken, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool 5 minutes. Loosen the edges of the cakes with a small paring knife and transfer to plates while warm. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

ELEVATED MOLTEN LAVA CAKES

Steps:

• Prepare and bake 2, 4 or 6 lava cakes according to the package directions. Have ready one or more of the following toppings:
• Spun Sugar: Combine 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup and 1/4 cup water in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Cook to 300 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Let cool to 275 degrees F. Position 2 wooden spoons 2 feet apart on similar-size bowls with their handles sticking out over the edge by 6 inches. Put newspaper or foil on the counter below the spoons. Dip a fork in the sugar syrup and flick it back and forth over the spoon handles to create many long thin threads. Repeat 3 or 4 times, then gently gather up the threads and put them on a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining sugar until all of it is spun. Place each lava cake in the middle of a serving plate, dust with confectioners' sugar and top with some of the spun sugar.
• Cherry Sauce: Combine 2 cups (about 8 ounces) pitted fresh cherries, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon cherry liqueur, such as Luxardo, and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the cherries are very soft, about 10 minutes. Puree in a blender and pour through a fine-mesh strainer; discard any solids left in the strainer. Transfer to a squeeze bottle and chill until ready to use (up to 1 day). Squeeze cherry sauce dots all over each serving plate and place a lava cake in the middle. Top with French vanilla ice cream and serve with a couple of fresh cherries.
• S'mores: Place each lava cake in the middle of a serving plate. Top with about 2 tablespoons marshmallow creme and use a kitchen blowtorch to toast the creme until golden. Insert a square of dark chocolate and a shard of graham cracker in the creme.
• Coffee Whipped Cream: Combine 1/2 cup cold heavy cream and 2 tablespoons coffee-flavored liqueur, such as Kahlua, in a medium bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Place each lava cake in the middle of a serving plate and sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa and confectioners' sugar. Top with the flavored whipped cream and several chopped chocolate-covered espresso beans.

CHOCOLATE MOLTEN LAVA CAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F.
• Butter 4 small custard cups; place on baking sheet.
• Microwave chocolate and butter in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. or until butter is melted; whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar. Add whole eggs and egg yolks; mix well. Stir in flour. Spoon into prepared cups.
• Bake 13 to 14 min. or until edges of desserts are firm but centers are still soft. Let stand 1 min. Carefully run knife around cakes to loosen; invert into dessert plates. Serve warm with COOL WHIP.

MOLTEN LAVA CAKES | A FOOL PROOF RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Grease bottoms and sides of six 6-oz custard cups and dust with cocoa.
• In a saucepan, melt chopped chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, beat whole eggs and egg yolks until well blended. Add powdered sugar and mix together. Stir in flour, then add the cooled chocolate mixture and stir until combined.
• Pour batter into custard cups and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake 12 to 14 minutes, or until sides are set and centers are still soft (tops will be puffed and cracked).
• Remove from oven and let stand for 3 minutes.
• Run a small knife or metal spatula around the inside of the cups to loosen the cakes from the edges. Turn cakes out onto serving plates.
• Serve plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar. Or kick it up another notch by serving with ice cream or whipped cream and fresh berries for an extra element of yum.
• Watch the how to make Molten Lava Cakes video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiQpfsFKkyc.