Did someone say cake?! Mmm...cake is one of my many true loves! Just say the word "chocolate" and "cake" and I'll be there! This recipe is quick, delicious, and so warm and gooey! These lava cakes aren't terribly difficult to make, but they will require a few more tools than some other more basic recipes that I've made.
You will need:
-8oz of bittersweet chocolate chips (only high grade chocolate...like Ghiradelli!)
-4 tablespoons of room temperature butter
-3 egs
-1/3 cup of sugar
-1/3 cup of flour
-1/4 teaspoon of salt
-6 ramekins (small ceramic bowls)
-an electric hand or standing mixer
-one pan
-a rubber spatula
-a spoon for stirring chocolate
-a cookie sheet/long pan
-one pot
-one glass bowl-large enough to sit about half way up the pot (so the bottom of the glass bowl doesn't touch one inch of water in the pan)
You will need:
-8oz of bittersweet chocolate chips (only high grade chocolate...like Ghiradelli!)
-4 tablespoons of room temperature butter
-3 egs
-1/3 cup of sugar
-1/3 cup of flour
-1/4 teaspoon of salt
-6 ramekins (small ceramic bowls)
-an electric hand or standing mixer
-one pan
-a rubber spatula
-a spoon for stirring chocolate
-a cookie sheet/long pan
-one pot
-one glass bowl-large enough to sit about half way up the pot (so the bottom of the glass bowl doesn't touch one inch of water in the pan)
First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Then, pour one inch of water in a pot.
Then, put the pan on medium heat.
Then....place the glass bowl on top of the pan. Like so:
Tip: Make sure that the water isn't touching the bottom of the glass bowl. If it is, dump out some water. We don't want to burn the beautiful chocolate!
Next step...add the chocolate!
Now, keep the heat between low-medium. Stir the chocolate every minute or so. Be patient, and let it melt at it's own speed! By the time it melts, you should have the rest of the recipe completed.
Next, in a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar for at least three minutes. Be patient...this is an important step!
Tip: When you bake, it is important to cream together sugar and butter/margarine/shortening until it gets fluffy. During this time, the beating process is softening the sugar granules. Long story short, this important. Even my grandma Jan says so. And she bakes like a goddess. So I'm taking her advice!
Now, beat in the eggs, one at a time. And make sure to beat them well after adding each egg.
(p.s.-don't forget about the chocolate! Keep stirring it!)
(Beat it, just beat it, beat it...)
Now, with your mixer on low speed, add in the flour and salt until it is just combined. No need to over-mix here!
Meh, it's about 1/4 teaspoon :)
Now, mix it on a low speed.....
...until it looks like this!
Now add the melted, glorious chocolate
You won't need to mix it for long! Just 20-30 seconds, until it is just combined.
Now, spray the ramekins with a non-stick spray (or, you could grease it with butter. What ever you'd prefer!)
Then, lightly coat the ramekins with sugar. Just put about a teaspoon or two in, stir the ramekins around so the sugar gets on the bottom and sides. Then, discard any extra sugar. (p.s.-if that is too complex for your culinary skills, skip the sugar. Just make sure the ramekins are sprayed, otherwise your lava cake will stick to the sides!
Now, spray the ramekins with a non-stick spray (or, you could grease it with butter. What ever you'd prefer!)
Then, lightly coat the ramekins with sugar. Just put about a teaspoon or two in, stir the ramekins around so the sugar gets on the bottom and sides. Then, discard any extra sugar. (p.s.-if that is too complex for your culinary skills, skip the sugar. Just make sure the ramekins are sprayed, otherwise your lava cake will stick to the sides!
I only had four ramekins (which were a little bigger than a standard ramekin). You can use how ever many you would like. Just evenly distribute the cake batter, and fill each ramekin about 3/4 full.
Tip: A quality chef should be capable of making a quality mess. Don't be ashamed of your messy kitchen. Embrace it! (sorry mom...)
YUM! Looking fine lava cakes, looking fine.
Bake for about 8 minutes, just until the cakes aren't too wiggly.
Bake for about 8 minutes, just until the cakes aren't too wiggly.
Make sure to let them sit (and cool) for about 10 minutes before digging in.
Tip: Please use oven mitts when taking anything out of the oven. Burns aren't fun. And you might end up in the ER. And look like a fool telling them that you forgot to use an oven mitt. (but that's a story for another day....)
Tip: Please use oven mitts when taking anything out of the oven. Burns aren't fun. And you might end up in the ER. And look like a fool telling them that you forgot to use an oven mitt. (but that's a story for another day....)
Baby oh baby, doesn't that look good?! Share with your favorite people and enjoy!
(or maybe just eat the whole thing by yourself...this is a judgement free zone, people!)
Feel free to add whipped cream or vanilla ice cream! Homemade whipped cream would really make this dessert the bees knees. I will teach you how to make that in a later blog post.
Enjoy, y'all!
(or maybe just eat the whole thing by yourself...this is a judgement free zone, people!)
Feel free to add whipped cream or vanilla ice cream! Homemade whipped cream would really make this dessert the bees knees. I will teach you how to make that in a later blog post.
Enjoy, y'all!