Chef John's Chocolate Lava Cake

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• butter as needed
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 1/2 ounces chopped dark chocolate
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe

Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 15 mins


• generously butter the inside of 4 (5 1/2 ounce) ramekins. place them in a casserole dish.
• whisk together egg yolks, eggs, and sugar in a bowl until light, foamy, and lemon colored.
• melt chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each melting, 1 to 3 minutes.
• stir melted chocolate mixture into egg and sugar mixture until combined.
• sift cocoa powder into the mixture; stir to combine.
• sift flour and salt into the mixture; stir to combine into a batter.
• stir vanilla extract into the batter.
• transfer batter to a resealable plastic bag. snip one corner of the bag with scissors to create a tip.
• divide batter evenly between the prepared ramekins; tap gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
• refrigerate 30 minutes.
• preheat an oven to 425 degrees f (220 degrees c).
• arrange the ramekins in a casserole dish. pour enough hot tap water into the casserole dish to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
• bake in the preheated over for 15-18 minutes. set aside to cool for 15 minutes.
• loosen the edges from the ramekin with a knife. invert each cake onto a plate and dust with powdered sugar.