Peanut Butter Chocolate Lava Cakes

Peanut Butter Chocolate Lava Cakes

yield: 4 CAKES
prep time: 15 MINUTES
total time: 35 MINUTES

Warm and fudgy chocolate cakes with melted peanut butter inside. These cakes are not overly sweet. Very rich, intense chocolate flavor. This recipe is extremely particular. Straying from the ingredients listed below or making substitutions will hinder the texture, taste, and final result. Make the recipe as directed.

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces (170g) high quality semi-sweet chocolate, such as Ghirardelli or Lindt
• 1/2 cup (115g; 1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup (31g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (60g) confectioners' sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 8 teaspoons (42g) creamy peanut butter (about 2 teaspoons per cake)1
• optional for serving: ice cream, melted peanut butter and/or chocolate syrup for drizzling

Special Equipment

• four 6-ounce ramekins (like these 6 ounce oven-proof custard cups or these 6 ounce ramekins)2

Directions:

1. Spray each ramekin with nonstick cooking spray and dust with cocoa powder. This ensures the cakes will seamlessly come out of the ramekins when inverted onto a plate in step 6.
2. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
3. Coarsely chop the chocolate. Place butter into a medium heat-proof bowl, then add chopped chocolate on top. Microwave on high in 10 second increments, stirring after each until completely smooth. Set aside.
4. Whisk the flour, confectioners' sugar, and salt together in a small bowl. Whisk the eggs and egg yolks together until combined in another small bowl. Pour the flour mixture and eggs into the bowl of chocolate. Slowly stir everything together using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. If there are any lumps, gently use your whisk to rid them. The batter will be slightly thick.
5. Spoon chocolate batter evenly into each prepared ramekin. Top with peanut butter and use a spoon to slightly press it down into the batter. Some may still be exposed-- see photo above for a visual.
6. Place ramekins onto a baking sheet and bake for 12-13 minutes until the sides appear solid and firm. The top may still look slightly soft. Allow to cool for 1 minute, then cover each with an inverted plate and turn over. Use an oven mitt because those ramekins are hot! The cakes should release easily from the ramekin. Top with ice cream and melted peanut butter and/or chocolate syrup for serving, if desired. Serve immediately.
7. Make ahead tip: This batter can be prepared through step 4 ahead of time. Cover tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Allow to come to room temperature before continuing with step 5.

Recipe Notes:

1. Do not use natural style peanut butter, do not use crunchy peanut butter, do not use any other nut butter like almond butter. The best for this recipe is commercial brand peanut butter like creamy Jif or Skippy. I use Jif creamy.
2. I'm unsure about the bake time for ramekins any other size than 6 ounces. I highly suggest just buying the specified size if you do not own them already. The good news: this standard size is typical for other dessert recipes like custards, soufflés, creme brûlées, chocolate fudge cakes, and mousse.
3. I've gotten some questions about making these plain, without peanut butter. Yes, it's possible! No changes necessary, just don’t add the peanut butter and bake for only about 12-13 minutes.

Adapted from Food and Wine

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