Chocolate Molten Cake - Lavender Tub Style

Nothing says "Be My Valentine" like chocolate, especially warm, gooey, molten chocolate.  Here is my easy version of this delectable dessert that is every bit as good as a restaurants.

 The first step is to make a batch of truffles, which is so much easier than you ever imagined.  

I double Martha Stewart's recipe, found here.  

Ingredients

•   16 ounces best-quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
•   1 cup heavy cream

Directions

1. Put chocolate into a large heatproof bowl. Bring cream just to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; pour over chocolate in bowl. Stir in liqueur, if desired. Cover with plastic wrap; let stand 10 minutes. Stir until smooth. Let stand until thick, about 15 minutes.
2. Pour chocolate mixture into a shallow 8-inch dish or pie plate. Cover with plastic wrap, and set aside.
   
   

If you decide to go ahead and make some truffles, click on that link and you'll see the complete instructions.  I omitted steps 3 and 4 for this recipe.  Also, you can make the truffles with chocolate chips, just know that the chips most likely will not melt all the way.  After you've let the mixture stand for 10 minutes, you can microwave in 15 second intervals to melt them completely, probably not more than 30-45 seconds total.  You don't want your beautiful chocolate to seize.

 

Lavender Tub Tip:  This truffle recipe is the same thing as Ganache.  You can make it before you sit down to your meal, and simply serve it as a dip with strawberries, cookies, pretzels, etc. for your dessert.  However, if you want molten cake, read on. 

You will also need:

Chocolate Cake

Magic Shell Topping

Vanilla Ice Cream - I think the flecks in the Vanilla Bean look pretty with this.  Make scoops ahead of time and keep in the freezer for easier assembly at presentation time

It is completely up to you whether you want to bake chocolate cake or simply purchase one.  The shape and size really depends on you.  For this post, I baked a cake mix in 2 small loaf pans.  I wanted to make desserts large enough to share with my Valentine, but you could also do them as individual servings by using cupcakes.

Cut a 1/2" slice off the top of the cake and set it aside.  Using a spoon, scoop out a small trough to contain the melted chocolate.  

Using a small scoop or spoon, fill the trough with the truffle mixture.  Replace the lid of the cake, and microwave for 60-90 seconds until all of the truffle chocolate is melted.  Slightly press the lid of the cake down in order to help ease the melted chocolate into the cake.  This also creates a small bed to hold the ice cream.

Top the cake with ice cream, and garnish with the Magic Shell.  Serve and Enjoy!

 

What do you think?

I think easy and delicious....is a beautiful thing! 

For a wonderful meal idea to accompany 

this dessert, click here.