Chocolate Lava Cake

Valentine’s Day
Molten Chocolate Cake/
Chocolate Lava Cake/ Chocolate Volcano Cake
Adapted from Ree Drummond and Cook’s Illustrated
(Makes 4 Servings)

A common restaurant dessert, volcano cake, or molten chocolate cake, is an intensely chocolate cake that boasts a warm, liquid center. In addition to its great flavor and alluring contrasting textures, the cake can often be made ahead and baked just before serving. The make-ahead appeal of such a cake inspired us to master this dessert for the home cook.

Ingredients:
Baking spray, for spraying custard cups
1 stick butter
2 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
2 whole eggs
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Day One:

Spray four custard cups with baking spray and place on a baking sheet.
Melt the butter & chocolate in a double boiler. Whisk until melted.
In a separate bowl or mixer, whisk the eggs and egg yolks. Stir in the sugar until well blended.
Add the chocolate. Add the vanilla. Stir in the flour. Divide the mixture among the custard cups. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.


Day Two:

Remove cakes from refrigerator an hour prior to heating. Preheat oven to 425. Bake until the sides are firm and the centers are soft, about 13-18 minutes. Let stand 1 minute. Invert on individual plates while warm, sift powdered sugar over tops, and serve with vanilla ice cream.