Monday, November 12, 2012

Dark Chocolate Lava Cakes


I have always preferred half baked cookies and french toast.  You know the type of things crunchy on the outside and melty, doughy on the inside.  So it came as no surprise years ago that I loved the first Lava Cake that I tried.  Dark intense chocolate cake with decadent melted chocolate spilling out when you slice it.  And it's served warm with a dallop of fresh whipped cream.  I never attempted to make one until this recipe because I thought they would be too difficult or time consuming.  Was I wrong!  My girls did all the stirring and dropping in of ingredients.  These are simple to make and so good.  We made ours milk free except for the optional whipped cream and loose no flavor, it's amazing.  Make them for a dinner party or holiday and you'll be sure to impress!
    Ingredients

    4 pieces (squares) Semi-sweet Baking Chocolate or 1 bag of semi-sweet chips minus a few you eat!
    ½ cups Butter or 1/2 cups fleischmann's unsalted margarine (dairy-free)
    1 cup Powdered Sugar
    2 whole Eggs or 1/2 cup pasteurized egg product
    2 whole Egg Yolks
    6 Tablespoons Flour
    Optional Whipped Topping
    2 cups Real Whipping Cream (seriously It's So Much Better!)
    2 Tablespoons Sugar

    Recipe
    1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Spray 4-6 ramekins with oil and place on cookie sheet.
    2. Combine butter and chocolate in microwave safe dish.  Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute.  Stir thoroughly.  Then microwave 30 seconds more and stir.  Repeat until the chocolate in completely melted.
    3. Whisk chocolate mixture and sugar until well combined.  Whisk in eggs, then flour.
    4. Fill ramkins and back for 12-18 minutes depending on size of ramekins and oven.  All sides should be firm and just the very center soft.  
    5. Remove from oven and let cool 1 minute.  Place a plate on top of the ramekin, and flip upside down so the cake is on the plate.  This will help the inside of the cake stay put until you slice it open.
    6. Top with powered sugar and whipped cream if desired.  Combine heavy whipping cream and sugar and whip until stiff 
    Original Recipe
    Tweaked the original recipe as you will see in ingredients list, chocolate melting method and removal of cakes from ramekins.  This can be made milk free by using milk free chocolate, milk free margarine and skipping the whipped topping.  Here is the original recipe