Valentines Chocolate Cake Food

VALENTINE'S DAY MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKES FOR TWO (OR MORE!)

Steps:

• If making and serving the cakes at once, preheat oven to 425°F Butter two 3/4-cup ceramic ramekins or ovenproof glass custard cups.
• In double boiler or in the microwave, melt butter with the chocolate, stirring to combine. Remove from heat immediately.
• In medium bowl, whisk egg and yolk lightly, then add sugar and salt ans whisk until blended and slightly paler and thickened, about 1 minute.
• Slowly whisk in the melted chocolate, in a stream, then whisk in flour.
• Divide batter between buttered ramekins.
• At this point, ramekins can be refrigerated for a day if preparing in advance; cover them loosely with plastic wrap once they're cool.
• Bake cakes on a baking sheet in preheated oven about 10 minutes if preparing immediately, up to 14 minutes if baking after refrigerating. Go by appearance, rather than time: The cakes should be firm on the outside and dry across the top, but the center 1 inch or so should still be quite wobbly.
• Remove from oven and let stand 1 minute. Run knife around sides to loosen, then turn them out onto individual serving plates.
• Sift powdered sugar over them, if desired, and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

CHOCOLATE CHIFFON VALENTINE CAKE

Steps:

• Let egg whites stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line two greased 9-in. heart-shaped pans with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside. In a small bowl, combine cocoa and water until smooth; cool. , In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks, oil, vanilla and cocoa mixture. Add to dry ingredients; beat until well blended. , In a small bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form; fold into chocolate mixture., Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely; carefully remove waxed paper. , In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar until stiff peaks form; reserving 1-1/2 cups. Spread remaining frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. , Spoon reserved frosting into a pastry bag with a star tip. Pipe a decorative lattice design on cake top and sides. Garnish with strawberries and mint if desired. Refrigerate until serving.