Molten Lava Cakes

This is one of my favorite recipes! These are so delicious! I first got the recipe from RealMomKitchen, who had found it on OurBestBites. My latest batch (pictured) were just slightly overcooked so the "molten lava" filling wasn't as molten as usual; I just left them in the oven a minute or two long. But, you can still get the idea and they were still delicious! My little trick is that I make a 1/3 batch, which makes two muffins' worth, when it's just for my husband and I. Or... just for me :) Enjoy!

Molten Lava Cakes

4 T real butter
1/3 c sugar
3 large eggs
1/3 c flour
1/4 tsp salt
8 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted (8 oz is about 1 1/3 c bittersweet chocolate chips. I usually use semi sweet and it's still delicious!)

Additional ingredients:

powdered sugar for dusting
whipped cream for serving (or vanilla ice cream)

I always bake these in muffin tins (recipe will make 6) but you can make slightly bigger servings by baking them in 4 ramekins.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. To prepare pans, use your fingers (or the butter wrapper) to rub butter in the muffin tins or ramekins. Sprinkle in some granulated sugar to coat the entire inner surface and tap out any extra and discard.

In a bowl with a mixer beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour and salt and slowly add it into the butter mixture just until combined. Stir in melted chocolate by hand, just until combined. Don’t over mix.

Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups or ramekins and then place them on a baking sheet. Bake just until tops of cakes no longer jiggle when pan is lightly shaken, about 8-10 min for a muffin pan, and 10-12 for ramekins. Remove from oven and let stand 10 min. If using muffin tins, invert the tin and place an individual cake on each serving plate. You can do the same with the ramekins, or just serve them as is. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream (or ice cream).


These are rich and delicious; a real treat! And, made with "normal" ingredients so they can be whipped up any time and not just for special occasions.