- Nicola
Molten Chocolate Lava Cake
Updated: Apr 13, 2020
It’s almost Valentine’s Day! What better dish to serve than a simple, indulgent, yet sexy molten chocolate lava cake. What’s great about this recipe is that you can make it ahead for your special dinner! Two reasons why you should make this dessert for this Valentine’s day: One, chocolate is considered a aphrodisiac. Two, chocolate and valentines go hand in hand, and it is a tradition to give chocolate on this day!
Molten Chocolate Lava Cake is a popular dessert that is often referred to as chocolate fondant, chocolate moelleux or chocolate lava cake. According to wikipedia, molten chocolate cake was claimed to be invented by Jean-Georges Vongerichten in 1987 in New York City during a catering disaster that resulted in chocolate cakes that were not fully cooked and a still liquidy centre. However, Jacque Torres a French chef and chocolatier disputes that this dish existed in France before. Regardless, Vongerichten has been credited for its’ popularity.
Molten lava cakes are typically made with four key ingredients: butter, eggs, sugar and chocolate (but no flour!). However, this recipe will include flour, in addition to chocolate, butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. This foolproof recipe is perfect for making ahead and freezing for impromptu desserts
Molten Chocolate Lava Cake Serves 3 Ingredients: 90 g semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (4oz) 1/2cup 57 g unsalted butter (1 stick, 1/4 cup, 2 oz) 2 large eggs 1/4 cup sugar (50g) 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour (22g)
Directions:
Heavily grease the inside of 3 custard cups, muffin tins or small mason jars with butter, and dust with flour heavily. Dump out the flour. You cannot skip this step or the cake will not come out
Add the butter and chocolate into a heatproof bowl.
Place in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until just melted. It took about 1 minute total to melt my chocolate
Stir together with a whisk.
Add in the sugar, eggs, salt, and vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract.
Whisk together until well mixed.
Next add the flour and fold into the mixture.
Divide the mixture into the prepared baking dishes.
Tap and shake the dishes to level them out and remove any large air bubbles.
At this point you can decide to freeze or bake the lava cakes right away. If you plan to freeze them, do it for a minimum of 2 hours, or until you need them. They can remain in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Bake right away:
Heat the oven to 450 degree F.
Place the desserts on a baking tray and place into a preheated oven to bake for 9 to 11 minutes.
Remove the lava cakes from the oven and allow to rest at room temperature for 2 minutes.
Turn the lava cake onto a serving plate, garnish with berries, mint, icing sugar, fruit sauce, or ice cream! Serve immediately!
Freezer:
When you are ready to bake them, preheat the oven to 425 degree F.
Place the frozen desserts on a baking tray and place into a preheated oven to bake for 14 to 16 minutes.
Remove the lava cakes from the oven and allow to rest at room temperature for 2 minutes.
Turn the lava cake onto a serving plate, garnish with berries, mint, icing sugar, fruit sauce, or ice cream! Serve immediately!