Also known as “Warm Chocolate Pudding”, this is a recipe that I learned from Chef Franco during my Italian Cookery Course at Torre del Tartufo in Arezzo, Italy back in 2008, before a lot of our Kitchen Kids were born. A simple way to make Molten Lava Cakes at home.
Ingredients:
- 2 sticks (250g) unsalted butter
- 2 4oz (250g) Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate (can substitute semi-sweet chocolate)
- 1 cup (130g) powdered sugar
- ½ cup (70g) all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs
- 4 egg yolks
- Additional butter and flour or baking spray to grease muffin cups
- Garnish – powdered sugar, fresh berries, fresh mint, whipped cream, etc.
Equipment:
- 12 cup muffin pan
- Medium sized microwaveable bowl
- Small and large bowls
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Large spoon
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Chopping board and knife
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Chop chocolate bars into small pieces and add to medium sized microwavable bowl and add butter. Microwave on 50% power for 1 minute, stir and microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds, stir again, until chocolate and butter are fully melted and the mixture is smooth. You may need to microwave for additional time, at 30 second increments at 50% power, if necessary.
In a large bowl, add powdered sugar and flour, whisk to combine, and set aside.
In a small bowl, add eggs and egg yolks and beat until smooth.
Create a well in the flour mixture and add the egg mixture, whisking thoroughly, ensuring that there are no lumps. Add chocolate and butter mixture to the batter and mix until combined.
Grease muffin cups generously with butter and dust with flour or spray generously with baking spray. Pour batter into the muffin cups.
Bake immediately for 8 minutes or you may let this rest for an hour at room temperature or freeze (let thaw one hour before baking). After removing it from the oven, let stand for a couple of minutes before removing molten lava cakes from the pan. Do not overcook as you want the center to be molten.
Serve immediately dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with fresh berries, sprigs of mint and a dollop of whipped cream.