Molten Chocolate Cakes

My boyfriend and I both suffer from a serious sweet tooth.  Many nights, after we've settled in for some after-dinner TV, we suddenly start to ponder what sweet treats could be concocted from the contents of our pantry.  This recipe is perfect for these occasions.  In fact, this recipe is perfect for just about any occasion.  It's ideal as an easy and spur-of-the-moment dessert because it takes all of 15 minutes to make and the ingredients can be found in even the most understocked kitchens.  It also makes a lovely dessert for entertaining because of its elegant presentation and ability to be stored uncooked in the fridge until you're ready to serve your guests dessert (just let them come to room temperature before popping them in that hot oven).  You can double, triple, or quadruple this recipe to suit the occasion.  Tonight, we're making two.  I realize some couples might opt to share one of these decadent desserts.  Ahem, we're not one of those couples.

Molten Chocolate Cakes for Two
(Makes 2 cakes, which serves exactly two dessert-lovers who don't like to share.)

1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 oz. semisweet chocolate (or 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips)
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 TBSP sugar
1 tsp all purpose flour


Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.  Butter the inside of two 1-cup ramekins or spray them with nonstick spray.  Construct a double boiler (I'm assuming most people do not own a proper double boiler - seriously, who does?) by finding a heat proof bowl that will rest snugly on top of a small saucepan without falling in.  Fill the saucepan with an inch or so of water and heat on the stove top until the water begins to simmer.  Carefully place the heat proof bowl over the simmering water, making sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl.  

My make-shift double boiler does the trick!

Add the butter and chocolate and stir until melted and smooth.  Once the chocolate and butter has melted, remove from the heat.  

Beat the sugar, egg, and egg yolk in a medium bowl until light and frothy.  Slowly add the melted chocolate to the egg mixture, stirring constantly - you don't want those eggs to scramble!  Once it's well mixed, add the flour and stir until just incorporated.  Divide the batter equally between the ramekins.  Bake for 7-9 minutes - DO NOT OVER BAKE!  Pull them out when the sides have set, but the center is still gooey. 

It may not look done, but it is!  Gooey = good.

Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.  Then, place a bowl or serving dish on top of the ramekin and - holding on tightly - invert the ramekin onto the dish.  Allow the ramekin to sit for a couple seconds and then gently lift it up.  Voila!  Believe me, it will look a lot more impressive than the 15 minutes of work it took to make it!  

For a Sunday night, this simple presentation is the way to go.  But like a great wardrobe staple, you can dress it up just as easily!

Serve with ice cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce, or just a big spoon :)

Oh yeah.  This is why we don't share.