Molten Chocolate Cakes

I don't know about all of you, but I'm ready for the weekend.  Well, first I need to finish this bowling birthday cake and then I'll be ready for the weekend.  The birthday cake prep work is done for tonight so I thought I would take the time to post the recipe for the molten chocolate cakes that I made for Joe's birthday.  I got this recipe from my friend Shayna, who got it from her mom, who ripped it from a magazine where it was an ad for Baker's chocolate, haha.  I gotta give credit where it's due!  These cakes are so simple to make, and I bet that you have most of the ingredients at home right now.  The exception might be the squares of semi-sweet chocolate, but you might as well pick some of those up to keep on hand since you never know when some blocks of semi-sweet chocolate might come in handy :)  The other thing that you'll need to have to make these are ramekins or some other small custard or souffle type dish.

This recipe makes enough to fill four ramekins which they claim will serve 8 people.  I have to disagree with that claim.  I can easily eat one of these cakes on my own.  But maybe I have a higher tolerance for sweets than most :)  When I made them for Joe's birthday I only made a half recipe since I don't think these would refrigerate well as leftovers.  This is the third time I've made these and the second time I made them I cooked them too long and they weren't molten in the middle, but they were still delicious!  This time I baked them for the exact amount of time given in the recipe and they turned out perfect.  Here's the recipe:

Molten Chocolate Cakes
From Baker's Chocolate

4 squares Baker's semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 c. butter
1 c. powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 T. flour

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and butter 4 ramekins or custard dishes.  Place the buttered ramekins on a baking sheet.

Microwave the chocolate squares and butter in a medium bowl for 30 seconds intervals.  Whisk between the intervals until all the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.

Whisk in the sugar until well blended.

Whisk in the eggs and egg yolks.

Whisk in the flour just until mixed.

Divide batter between buttered cups and bake for 13-14 minutes.  The sides should be firm but the center will be soft.  Remove from the oven and let sit for 1 minute.  Run a knife around the edge of the cups and invert each one onto a dessert plate.

Then if you want you can top with some powdered sugar and some strawberries.  Or just start eating the molten chocolate, that's fine too :)

That's all there is too it!  It really is so simple and pretty impressive.  The only downside is that these aren't really something you can make in advance before a party or something.

Sorry for filling the post up with close ups of simple things like how to put the butter and chocolate in a bowl.  I just love how good the close up shots turn out with the new camera!  I hope some of you try these, they are DELICIOUS!  Have a great weekend!