Valentine's Dessert Idea #2

Tonight we had a scrumptious dessert to celebrate Valentine's Day with the kids.  Because Alex leaves early Friday morning, we won't all be together for Valentine's Day.  I like to make something special for them...we usually have heart-shaped pizza and a heart-shaped cake of some kind.  This year I thought I'd try a new dessert...and I'm so glad I did.  This will be a much-requested special occasion dessert.  I heard rave reviews from all...one of Beth's made me smile:  "This is so yummy that it's the kind of taste you remember in your mouth no matter what else is going on around you."  What more could I possibly add to that?!

This takes just a few minutes to put together, and bakes only 7 minutes...couldn't be easier!

***Alternate names, in honor of Valentine's Day:

"You make my heart melt chocolate cake"
"Oozing love chocolate cake"
Or whatever.

Hot Fudge Lava Cakes

1 cup butter (please don't use margarine)
1 1/3 cups chocolate chips
4 egg yolks
5 whole eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
6 disposable foil tart pans (I think they are about 1 x 4 inches)


Place disposable pans on a rimmed baking sheet.  Spray each pan well with non-stick cooking spray.  Preheat oven to 500 degrees.  Yes, 500 degrees.


Place butter and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for 1 minute, then stir until mixture is smooth.  Microwave in 15 second intervals if needs more melting, stirring after each 15 seconds.  Let cool if it's too hot...warm is okay, but not hot enough that it will cook the eggs.

Whisk egg yolks and add to chocolate mixture with a wire whisk.  Add in whole eggs and whisk again.  Add sugar, mixing well.  Add flour, whisk until smooth.

Divide batter evenly among pans.

Bake for exactly 7 minutes, without opening the oven door.  Remove from oven and place on cooling rack.  Let cool for 2 minutes.

Turn each pan upside down onto a dessert plate or bowl, and push on the bottom to pop the cake out.

Use 2 forks to gently pull apart the tops and expose the chocolate sauce in the center.  Oh, the yum that will ooze out and greet you!

Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream right in the center and serve immediately.

*These will not be the same if they aren't served immediately.  You can reheat them, and they are still yummy, but the center will be more pudding-like and less hot fudge-like.  Just pop it in the microwave (whole) for 30 seconds, then pull the center open to serve.