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I know it is Tuesday and all, but let’s just pretend it is Friday.
Here is the deal, I went to Target last Friday in the middle of a snow storm. And I did not drive, I walked. In the cold snow, which I know some of you may think is crazy, but I do this all the time. I am just used to it and walking was easier than shoveling off the three feet of snow my car was buried under, not to mention the driveway situation. Although, I ended up having to do that on Saturday and geez, it took me a good thirty minutes.
The car is BIG and I am well… not. So yeah, it took a while.
But anyway, I went to Target and the store was jam packed with Valentine’s Day stuff. Pink, red and hearts everywhere. Valentines Day is not a special holiday for me, but I do love cute things and, just like any other holiday, I love holiday themed stuff.
I somehow managed to come home with two containers of pink sprinkles, one chocolate container of sprinkles, red food coloring and some of the cutest straws, which I have been using non-stop since Friday. They are also sitting in a jar on my desk like flowers. What? My flowers died and I needed some color.
Oh and FYI, I do not even like the color pink, yet somehow I thought it was great idea to buy fun little pink Valentines Day sprinkles. I actually have ZERO plans for these said sprinkles, other than showing them to Asher and watching her face light up with joy. She’s a pinkoholic and has been pumped for Valentine’s Day since New Years.
Obviously, I am taking requests for recipes calling for sprinkles.
Back to the point though, I came home very cold, but with a renewed zest towards Valentines Day and very much in the mood for some baking.
Well actually, the real story is that the house was just freezing. And since the thermostat has a mind of its own (really it does) I used the oven to heat myself up.
Hey, it works.
And even though I was tired and not really wanting to cook a thing, I got a pretty good end result. And it totally warmed me up.
Pathetically, this post contains not one of the pretty things I bought?
I tried, really I did. I wanted to use those sprinkles, but nothing good was coming into my head and once I got these lava cakes in my head there was no going back. I mean, they ooze chocolate ganache. Ahhh! Yes, these were the right decision.
Oh wait, I did use that red food coloring. I guess that’s something!
I was going to wait till Friday to share these, but then I just threw in towel on that idea. It would be too cruel to wait that long to share.
These are a quick fix, super easy dessert that honestly could not get better. Unlike normal lava cakes these get stuffed with chocolate ganache (yup I am so serious) and can I just say that it makes them about a trillion times better? Because it totally does.
Did I mention that you eat these hot? I am so into hot desserts right now. All I want are things that ooze with warm goodness. I sort of feel like no one will argue with that right now since I hear a lot of you guys are also freezing your butts off. Welp, I am happy to say these will totally help take the chill off.
Last thing, I have to say a big sorry to my mom who is out of town with my brother. I am so sorry to torture you with these. I know you are reading this right now and just about hating me that I made these without you around. I promise to make them again for you.
Red Velvet Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes with Chocolate Ganache Center.
Ingredients
Lava Cakes
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoons red food coloring, I really like the gel colors
- coconut whipped cream, whipped cream or ice cream, for serving (optional)
Ganache
- 4 1/2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips, about 3/4 cup
- 1/2 cup canned coconut milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- First make the ganache. In a microwave safe bowl add the chocolate and coconut milk (or heavy cream). Microwave on high for 30 second intervals, stirring between each until melted. Once melted stir in the vanilla extract. Cover and place in the fridge.
- Grease 6 (4 ounce) ramekins or 4 (6 ounce ramekins) and place on a baking sheet.
- Heat the chocolate and butter together on low in a small saucepan, stirring until just melted. Watch it closely to make sure it does not burn. Remove from the heat and stir in the flour and salt until smooth.
- Add the eggs to a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer beat the eggs and slowly add the sugar until the eggs are pale in color, about four minutes. Add the vanilla extract and food coloring, mix until combined. Pour in the melted chocolate mixture and use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to fold the chocolate into the eggs until just combined. Divide the mixture among the prepared ramekins.
- Now grab your ganache from the fridge and spoon about 1-2 heaping teaspoons of ganache (you will not use it all) right into the center of the ramekins. Use a spoon to scoop the red velvet mixture over the ganache. Cover the ramekins and place in the fridge for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. After 15 minutes remove from the fridge and place in the oven. Bake for 10-20 minutes (10 minutes for 4 ounce ramekins and 18 minutes for 6 ounce ramekins). Loosen the edges of the cakes with a butter knife and turn out onto plates. Serve immediately with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. I also added some toasted coconut, shaved chocolate and pomegranate arils.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
And this is how you do Tuesday right!
So pretty and decadent looking – perfect for V day 🙂
Thank you, Liz!
I totally have an excess of pink sprinkles at home. They are just so pretty and fun! You know what else is fun? The ganache middle of these gooey cakes. It just has love written all over it!
Thanks Erin! I think pink sprinkles are a must this time of year! 🙂
Love the idea of pretending it is Friday! And love these molten lava cakes. They look perfect!
Thanks Chelsea!! 🙂
I wish I could say more but I have to go to work and I am already late. But….just yum. Like yum x 10. yum x 1000
GIrl, these are rocking my very late world!
Oh my gosh, LOL! Thank you so much for all your sweet and detailed comments, Taylor! I love them and I know that they take time, so THANK YOU! 🙂
Ha ha!! This makes me laugh! I just went to target yesterday for one storage bin and came home with $90 of stuff…including pink sprinkles 🙂 LOL. This cake has my name all over it!
That place is a money grabbing trap! I love it, but man my goes like magic there!
Thanks Steph! 🙂
I love that you walked to Target! Will power 😉 And these little lava cakes look sinfully amazing!!!
Haha! Thanks Ashley!
Red velvet’s my favorite, I might have to make this for V-day for my boyfriend – he’ll love it!
Thanks Ali! Let me know if you do. Hope you guys love it!
These are gorgeous! I love the chocolate ganache oozing out of the center.
Thanks Faith!
I would do unspeakable things to get my hands on one of these. I’m glad you aren’t a pink sprinkle gal. Some gals have it, some gals don’t. I don’t have a pink sprinkle in my body, and these molten lava cakes are all the better pink sprinkle-less!
Haha! It is the tom boy in me! 🙂
These are gorgeous!! Love how you garnished them with pomegranates and coconut too–so pretty.
I haven’t been to Target in months, mostly because it is sort of a hike to get to, but am so tempted by all the holiday stuff! But in general, I’m not a big pink person either. Feel you on that 😉
Thanks!!
And trust me, Target being not so close is saving you money!! 🙂
I’m glad I read this before making my trip to the grocery store! This is going to be a great Valentin’e’s dessert!
Hope you love them, Kathy!
I love warm desserts because they are the perfect excuse to add ice cream:-) These look fantastic!
Thanks Lauren!
It sounds like fun to walk in the snow. & to make this on your return trip? Totally worth it 🙂
It kind of was! Thanks Megan!
YUM!!!! I can’t believe you don’t like PINK!!! My goodness what is thee not to like about that soft, soothing, beautiful color? LOVE me lots of PINK.
Is there no sugar in the lava cake???
I’m glad you didn’t wait until Friday to share this. I want some of that obey gooey goodness now.
Thanks Norma!