Molten Chocolate Lava (or Lover...) Cake

This is a fantastic prepare-ahead dessert for Valentine's day or any day!  You can whip them up a day in advance then just pop them in the oven when ready (you know, for a romantic late-night chocolate snack - once the kids are in bed, the dishes are washed, the house is clean, the bills are paid, and the laundry is folded...)

professional pic from tastebook

This is originally a Kraft recipe - my family first discovered it back when they did the free Food & Family magazine, which sadly is no more, but we've been making it ever since.  I found the same recipe online {here}.

Ingredients:
4 squares Baker's Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 Tbsp flour
Cool Whip Whipped Topping (if desired)


Directions:
1. If preparing and baking immediately, preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Grease four (approx. 3/4-cup) custard cups or souffle dishes (ramekins).  Heart-shaped dishes would be great for Valentine's Day!  Place dishes on baking sheet.

2. Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 minute or until butter is melted.  Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted.

3. Stir in powdered sugar until well blended.  Blend in eggs and egg yolks with wire whisk.  Stir in flour.

4. Divide batter between 4 prepared custard cups.  Place in preheated oven and bake for 13-14 minutes or until sides are firm but centers are soft.

5.  Remove from oven and let sit for a minute.  Carefully run small knife around cakes to loosen, then invert cakes onto dessert plates.  (Don't worry if they crack open a bit when you flip them out, they'll still taste phenomenal) Serve immediately, topped with Cool Whip topping.  Also tastes great with strawberries or raspberries.

(If preparing in advance, simply pour batter into greased dishes, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.  Bake as directed when ready to serve.)

Here is our unprofessional phone picture, but they still look quite yummy!

People will swear this tastes like a dessert straight out of fancy restaurant's kitchen...they're that good.  Let me know what you think!  -Kristen