A hot chocolate volcano cake which erupts in a delicious explosion, causing tasty, molten chocolate magma to ooze out, and makes you lick the spoon and your fingers afterwards..!
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What can celebrate a celebration better than chocolate?? Yes, I know that a celebration means to celebrate.. but have you ever celebrated the reason to celebrate..? That is what I am doing nowadays. I am on seventh heaven. All you great bloggers and darling friends have joined me in my first blog event and many have already sent in a great deal of variety dishes. Every post was a revelation in its own.
Honestly, in the last year of blogging I have felt that each blog has a uniqueness, a thumbprint of its own, of course all credit to the author. Every dish, every write up gives a glimpse into the authors heart and soul. And they are so beautiful..!! I have read elaborate posts on some topics and I know that the subject is close to their heart. Sometimes the posts are small and simple, maybe the author was not feeling chatty today or maybe she is rushing off somewhere. Sometimes there is no post for weeks and I wonder if the author is okay, where did they disappear to. It is not intentional but natural, a comradeship builds up between the writers, the reader and the other writers. And the world becomes a little more sweeter and nuttier..! And infinitely better..! I think that is a reason to celebrate..!
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The Chocolate lava cake is a classic. It has a place of its own in the hearts of every cake lover, every dessert fan. There are numerous recipes available online and as many variations to follow. I did a great deal of reading on this cake and also prepared it twice. However I was quite unhappy with the results. This is because all the recipes asked for the cake to under baked, so that the centers remain squidgy and molten. The resulting lava looked exactly like the cake batter that went in. I would usually serve it with Hershey’s sauce on top… made it look like more lava. And what I wanted was the Dominoes style Lava cake without any dressing up with Hershey’s.
However this recipe, adapted from Eating Well (2007 issue) magazine solved a lot of questions and gave me much wanted answers. What we do here is that we make a truffle like ganache that goes in the center of the cake, so that on baking it will melt and create the perfect lava – tasty and not cake batter like.! It tastes great served with a dollop of cream / ice cream . For me, this recipe is a keeper..!
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NUTTY CHOCOLATE MOLTEN LAVA CAKE
- 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
- 30 gm unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbs cream
- 2 tsp instant espresso powder, or Nescafe dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup / simple syrup
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 5 tablespoons powdered Sugar
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon natural Cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 Tbsp crushed Hazelnuts / Almonds
- Melt the butter and chocolate piece on a double boiler or microwave. Combine well and keep aside. Remember that water is the biggest enemy of chocolate. Even a drop of water in chocolate can cause it to seize or become crumbly. In such cases we will have to start with fresh chocolate again.
- First prepare the filling - Combine the cream, granulated sugar and half the espresso in a small bowl. Heat this mixture till the sugar melts into the cream. Remove from flame. Add the light corn syrup and half of the melted chocolate to the cream and mix till well combined. Place this mixture in the refrigerator for 45 minutes till it becomes cold and firm. This mixture can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for 2 days.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F.
- Butter 4 ramekins or 6 mini muffin pans generously with unsalted butter and keep aside.
- Make the cake batter – Take a large bowl and beat the egg, oil, vanilla essence, salt and remaining espresso till it becomes smooth. Warm the melted chocolate slightly and add it to the liquid mixture and beat again. Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder and the all purpose flour to the mixture and beat till combined and smooth. Fold in the crushed nuts also.
- It is time to assemble the cakes - Take the filling out of the refrigerator. Fill the ramekins / muffin pan halfway with cake mixture. Place a big ball (1 Tbsp) of filling in the center and top up with the remaining cake batter. Smooth the tops with a slightly wet spoon. Now bake the cakes for about 10 to 12 minutes till the cake looks cooked on top but is pudding like to touch in the middle. Increase the amount of filling if you want a lot of lava in the cake.
- Invert the cake onto a clean plate. If the cakes are stuck, run a knife around the edges first and then invert it onto a plate. Serve with good quality vanilla ice cream, some more nuts and some strawberries if desired.
- You can reheat the cakes by keeping it in a covered pan and baking at 350°F for 10 minutes.
- You can even make the complete cake setting beforehand and then bake it just as you are about to serve dessert.
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Take a look at that spoonful. Does it not look decadent? Delicious? Mouth watering? Yeah, I thought so..! Trust me, the sauce is exactly as it is in the cake. I have not added anything else to it. Each spoonful will have cake and a delicious dose of sauce on it. Yummy.!
OK guys, I got to rush. It is midnight here and I am going to raid the last molten lava cake from the refrigerator and have it Nigella style..! 
So try it and enjoy..!
I would like to send this dessert as entry to the following events.
Valentine’s Day event by Teena Mary
Valentine’s Day Special by Me
Chocolate Fest @ Sravs
Bake Fest @ Pumpkinfarm 
Love Lock with Sweets @ Killer On The Plate ,created by Sweet Karam Kapi
ABBC Desserts @ Ramyas Recipes
looks perfect n gorgeous!!
wow……really wonderful……it just tempting me….
Dominoes have been tempting me for ages now.. I had to make it..
A beautiful post and gorgeous Cake.
Thanx Kaveri, it is quite a favorite at my house.. but then chocolate is always a hit, is it not??
phew!!! look at that!!! drooling here!!!
yum!looks decadent,divine n delicious!i am going to make this for dessert tonight.
Please do, Simran. Have some ice cream to go with it. It will be great.! Let me know how it came about..
Totally YUMMY..I love it..Delicious.
Aarthi
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/
You are absolutely right dear.. it is yummy..!
fabulous cake……..wonderfully prepared….superb dear
Thanx dear Faseela.
looks like a sinful indulgence every bite- yum !
Oh it is..!! Sinful Indulgence.!!
Gorgeous…nothing but gorgeous…YUM!
Thanx Nisa… Happy you liked it.. do try it dear..!
Molten lava cake is on my to-do list. It’s the perfect Valentine’s Day treat. Yours looks so chocolaty and gooey. I would take a slice of that right now, if only I could.
You should try this Rathai. The chocolate filling makes all the difference and there is no battery taste to it..! That is the best part..!
irresistible!! Wonderful preparation.
Cool na?? Its delish in each bite..!
that is really a glamorous one…yummm
Looks too good to eat… but too good to resist either
Oh I can imagine it melts in my mouth. Gosh, how I wish I can have that cake right now:D
It does melt in your mouth, its silky smooth and delicious..! Perfect dessert.! Thanx for dropping by dear.
Yummy looking cake and what pretty pictures….thanks for linking to the event
Pleasure is all mine Pradnya. You have a lovely event going..
soooooooooo yummy! I am not a chocolate fan but this cake is one of my favs..thanks so much Anzz for leaving such an encouraging comment on my blog..following you now.
I know, this cake is on my hit list too… hit it every time I crave chocolates..!
This looks so good, making me craving for some right now.
Gorgeous cake,looks divine..
Glad you liked it… !
Loved the gooey center of the cake. Mouthwatering here.
Tickling Palates
Event : Let’s Cook – Rice
It tastes like melted truffles.. heavenly. You can do variations on this also..!
fabulous cake, looks so yummy…
Yummilicious bite..lovely cake !!
Erivum Puliyum
Glad you liked it Julie…
Wonderful looking lava cake…Irresisteble
Thank you Neha..
Gorgeous clicks as well as this irresistible cake!
Thanx dear…
Molten lava cake is something I always order from Dominos. Never tried making it..Now with this recipe, i will give it a try. thanks for linking to my event
We do not have it here.. hence the necessity to make it.! Had to satisfy the craving for that.!
Anzz, I finally tracked you down. You left a comment on my blog a few days ago but your blogger profile link did not have your website. Just now found it from Jay’s Tasty Appetite. You have a lovely space, beautiful writing and the molten lava cake looks out of this world. Your photos are great too, looks like you have mastered the rocket science quite quickly. Following you from now on.
Sorry it was hard for you to get here, but am I glad you took the effort..! Made me another friend who has a lovely blog to her credit..!
Loved it..!
Bookmarked……nice click…..mouth full of water nw
Absolutely gorgeous lava cake dear, great capture
I don’t add flour at all since I hate the cake batter kinda taste, this recipe is quite different and sounds perfect. Will try ur way next time n let u know 
Prathibha, I know exactly what you mean abt the batter kinda taste. This is perfect, leaves no unpleasant aftertaste at all..Do try it and let me know..
wow..you never failed to amaze me…I’m in awe of you dear..;)
Tasty Appetite
molten cake looks wonderful
Thanx dear..
oh my… this is so decadent! even i tried a coupla recipe’s that is basically cake batter but slightly underbaked to give that gooey centre.. i liked it, but like u said no match for the dominoe’s one. this looks more like it, love that ganache centre… that must have tasted devine. gonna try this recipe out
Please do try dear. you are right, the ganache filling takes it a step above the rest… a new way to make it and great taste too..!
Wow dear! This looks divine! And the pictures are so tempting
You have a nice blog with good collection of recipes. Now following you
Thanx Ambreen. The pleasure is all mine..! Hope you enjoy my recipes here..
I had tried out a molten choc cake couple of months back and I know the exact feeling..divine !! Will send my entries soon to ur event..C u around
Great.. will wait for your entry…
Could see the perfection of Lava cake..Great result,Anzz..Good one
Thanx Deep… Lovely dessert is it not??
Thanks for such a great recipe – this is a winner for sure and I’m printing it out now to keep for a special occasion – Valentines Dinner!!
mary x
Mary, it is so delightful to see your comment. Am sure you will love the dessert..! Have fun with your Valentines dinner dear..!
Wow….feel like having it one right now….so yummylicious….
Yes it is dear, very yummy..!
lovely molten lava cake Dear…..looks so so prefect for Valentine’s day…
OMG! Awesome recipe & gr8 click!! Being a chocoholic, i’m craving for it now Anzz! I think i’m gonna make it this week itself
Thanks a lot for sending to my event. I’ll be sending my entry soon 
Hope your first event will be a great success!
Very nice one…too many chocolate fans in our home! would surely try this!
They most definitely will..!!
Happy to link to your vent..!
Awesome….
rosesandgifts.com
Thank you dear. Love your site.!
Nice super delicious lava cake !! well presented too!! thanks for linking to the event !! Nice to know about you I am your happy follower !!
Ongoing Event – CC-Chocolate Fest
Pleasure is all mine.!
Awesome cake…. Irresistible!!!
This is so deliciously beautiful.. Thankyou very much for the submission to Love Lock with Sweets
PLeasure is all mine dear..!
That looks absolutely amazing! So delicious, thank you so much!
Im a new follower.
Thank you for the lovely words. am glad you are a part of my site now..!
Thanx for following..
can u tell me about the eggless version of this cake…. it’ b really gr8…
Ankit, you can make the filling in the same manner and substitute any eggless chocolate cake recipe for the cake. Your dessert should be fine and delicious..! Happy New Year.!