Lava Cake 🍫

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!