Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Ingredients

• 100 gDark chocolate, chopped
• 100 gButter
• 2Eggs
• 1/3 cupSugar
• 3 tbspMaida
• 1 tbspCocoa powder
• 1/2 tspVanilla essence
• a pinchSalt
• 1 tspButter (for greasing)
• 1 tspCocoa powder (for dusting)
• 4 scoopsVanilla ice cream (to serve)
• 1 tspPowdered sugar (to dust)

Method

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease 4 small ramekins with butter and dust with cocoa powder, tapping out the excess.

2. 2

   Melt dark chocolate and butter together in a double boiler or microwave (in 30-second bursts), stirring until smooth and glossy.

3. 3

   In a separate bowl whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla and a pinch of salt for 2 minutes until pale and slightly thick.

4. 4

   Pour the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, whisking gently.

5. 5

   Sift in the maida and cocoa powder, fold gently with a spatula just until incorporated.

6. 6

   Divide the batter equally between the 4 prepared ramekins.

7. 7

   Bake at 200°C for 9-11 minutes — the tops should be set but the centres should still jiggle slightly. Do not overbake.

8. 8

   Rest 1 minute, invert onto plates, dust with powdered sugar, serve immediately with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.