Molten lava cake

Ingredients

8 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into slices, plus more to grease ramekins

6 oz  semisweet chocolate chips

2 large eggs, (whole eggs)

2 large egg yolks

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 Tbsp all-purpose flour, plus more to dust ramekins

Directions

Grease four 8-oz ramekins* with butter and dust inside with flour, tapping out excess flour, just like you would with a cake pan.

Set a mixing bowl over a medium saucepan with about 1 cup water (the bowl should not touch the water). In the bowl, combine 6 oz semisweet chocolate and sliced butter. Keep water at a simmer and use a spatula to stir together until the chocolate and butter are melted and well combined then carefully remove from heat and set aside while making egg mixture.

Combine 2 eggs, 2 yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt and beat with an electric mixer on high speed 5 minutes (using egg beaters or whisk attachment) until whipped, thick and light yellow.

Pour warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture along with 1 tsp vanilla extract. Fold until mostly combined. Add 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour and fold until fully incorporated.

Divide between 4 ramekins and bake at 450˚ for 10-12 minutes (in a very hot oven) until outsides are firm and dry and centers are soft with just the slightest jiggle in the center.

Cool 1 minute then gently loosen cakes with a small knife (if needed). Immediately invert onto plates to untold. Dust with powdered sugar and serve right away.

Notes

For Smaller Ramekins: 4 oz ramekins or a non-stick muffin tin will yield 6 smaller cakes (bake 6-8 min). 6 oz ramekins yield 4 cakes (bake 12 min) or 5 cakes (bake 8-10 min)