Personally, I love Valentine’s Day. Some people might say it’s too commercial — only existing to make Hallmark some money or torture dateless singles — but I think a day devoted to celebrating love and taking some time to really appreciate your relationship and each other has some definite merits. Sometimes you need a silly holiday as a reminder to say “I Love You” a few more times a day and appreciate the one you love (and be appreciated yourself, too!). I understand if you’re not a cornball like me, but at least you have to admit that Valentine’s Day is good for something — the CHOCOLATE!
Ryan and I had the most amazing chocolate lava cake at a nearby restaurant a few weeks ago, so good he actually claimed “I think this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten!”, and after learning how incredibly easy they can be to make, I knew I’d want to make some Valentine’s Day themed ones for him. Since I have an exam on Valentine’s Day (on heart pathophysiology no less), I knew I wouldn’t have much time to bake closer to the holiday, and did what all food bloggers do — made holiday-themed treats way ahead of time in order to inspire readers enough in advance for their baking plans. So, 3 weeks before Valentine’s Day, I bring you heart-shaped molten chocolate lava cakes that will be sure to impress your significant lover. Just look at that deliciousness…
Seriously, this recipe really couldn’t be any easier. I would highly suggest this to any guy or non-domestic gal looking to impress their date with a decadent chocolate treat — it’s very fancy and yummy, without much work. No special techniques or equipment required, although if you want to make them heart-shaped like I did, you’ll need a pan like this. But of course you could just use custard cups or very well-greased muffin tins. Not only is the recipe easy, but it comes together and bakes very quickly, so it’s great if you have a special dinner menu planned too :) If you’re feeling extra spiffy, make some homemade cinnamon whipped cream to top it off. When Ryan and I had this at the restaurant it was served with cinnamon gelato and was out of this world, but for the sake of time I opted for a fluffy whipped cream instead. But check out my cinnamon ice cream recipe if you have time, because it’s an awesome combination!
Chocolate Lava Cakes
Adapted from Tasty Kitchen
For the cake:
4 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 tablespoons flour
For the cinnamon whipped cream:
2 cups whipping cream
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
– Preheat oven to 425 degrees
– Spray 8 muffin tins (or 4 custard cups) with Pam and set aside
– Microwave chocolate and butter in a large bowl on high for 1 minute, until butter is melted. Whisk until chocolate is melted.
– Add sugar and stir until well-blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Sprinkle flour on top and fold in gently with a spatula.
– Divide batter between cups (I used an ice cream scoop for ease)
– Bake 13-14 minutes until sides are firm but the center is soft. Let them stand in the pan for 1 minute.
– Put a plate on top of the cakes and invert carefully. I used a spatula to carefully transfer each cake to individual plates.
– For the whipped cream, beat cream on high speed until stiff peaks form. Add the sugar and cinnamon and beat until well incorporated.
– Top cakes with whipped cream and enjoy immediately while still warm and gooey!
Note: You can make the batter ahead of time, refrigerate it, and then take it out to come to room temperature right before baking. I made the batter in the morning and baked them off at night and they came out great, but I’m not sure how much longer the batter would hold up.
Mmmmmmm, these look so good! Very romantic. :)
I love these Lava Cakes! My boyfriend and I went to the Coeur d’ Alene resort for our anniversary and ate at this gorgeous fancy restaurant and had these for dessert. Yours look wonderful and even better than the ones we had!
These look so yummy!! I didn’t realize how easy they were to make!
These are cute a delicious looking. I’m not a big V-day fan, but I do like chocolate! :)
omg, these looks so good!
can i ask how much are 4 squares of baking chocolatE?
Fwtcae — I believe it’s 1oz per square, so 4oz total, enjoy!
Those cakes are adorable and with all that chocolate yumminess in them, I’m sure they’re also delectable. I have a linky party on my blog every week called “Sweets for a Saturday” and I’d like to invite you to stop by this weekend and link this up.
What nearby restaurant had the amazing lava cakes? (they’re my fave desserts so I totally want to try…) =) (near school I’m guessing, right?)
~Devorah
Devorah — Max a Mia in Avon!
oooooh, definitely going to go at some point (after I’ve also tried this recipe probably also though, lol) =) amazing baking….the pics look incredible!
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When you said “Add sugar and stir until well-blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Sprinkle sugar on top and fold in gently with a spatula.”
Do you mean to say sprinkle flour on top and fold in gently?
Love these by the way :)
Yes Melissa you’re right – I did mean flour :) Hope you still were able to make them successfully!
The credit for this recipe should actually go to Kraft Foods, not the Tasty Kitchen, which posted the recipe in 2009. I first saw this exact recipe published by Kraft back in 2004 in their magazine and on their website and have been making it since then.
I really want to make these, but how do you get the melted chocolate IN the cakes? is there some way you put them in after? because i dont think i see it in the process..
I love Lava cakes but these look adorable!!!
is this AP flour? can anyone let me know?
Erica — June 5th, 2013 @ 12:36 pm
Yes, AP!
I live in Japan, and unless you have an Americian style home you do not get a stove.. thats not fair their stoves are under their gas burner stove tops and its only big enough for a fish. So i have a toster oven that i do most of my baking in which usually comes out okay.. This however did not! i cant wait to get to the states and have an oven because im sure this is an amazing cake! all of the other things ive tried off your website were hits at the office!! keep up with the great posts!!
What kind of pan did you use for these?
Erica — October 14th, 2015 @ 9:34 pm
This one – http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Ruffled-Cavity-Silicone-Heart/dp/B001Q5KEYA