Sure! Here's a recipe for a delicious molten lava cake, written in a casual and easy-to-follow manner:
Molten Lava Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 6 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate (high quality)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- A pinch of salt
- Butter and cocoa powder for greasing ramekins
- Optional: ice cream or whipped cream for serving
Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). While it's heating, let's get everything else ready.
2. Prepare the Ramekins:
Butter the insides of four 6-ounce ramekins thoroughly. Then, dust them with cocoa powder, tapping out the excess. This helps the cakes to come out smoothly later on.
3. Melt the Chocolate and Butter:
In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter and chocolate. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. You can also do this step using a double boiler if you prefer.
4. Mix in Sugar:
Add the powdered sugar to the chocolate mixture. Stir until well combined. The mixture will look a bit grainy at this point, but that's okay.
5. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Whisk in the eggs and egg yolks until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Then, add the vanilla extract and give it another good mix.
6. Incorporate Flour and Salt:
Add the flour and a pinch of salt to the chocolate mixture. Stir gently until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
7. Fill the Ramekins:
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins. Place them on a baking sheet for easy handling.
8. Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-14 minutes. The edges should be firm, but the centers will be soft and gooey. If you prefer a more molten center, bake closer to 12 minutes. For a slightly firmer center, bake a bit longer.
9. Let Them Rest:
Let the cakes cool in the ramekins for 1 minute. Then, run a knife around the edges to loosen them and carefully invert each cake onto a plate.
10. Serve:
Serve immediately, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy the gooey, chocolatey goodness!
Feel free to personalize the recipe by adding a pinch of instant coffee to the batter for a richer flavor, or by sprinkling some sea salt on top before baking for a delightful contrast. Enjoy your baking!