Stress free chocolate delight

Mera Qamar

Silhouette Staff

Are you overwhelmed by never ending flow of midterms? Eat chocolate! Try making this delicious Orange Chocolate Molten Lava Cake recipe. It is easy and simple, takes only 20 minutes and is delightfully addicting! If you’re not a chocolate lover already, this chocolate lava cake will turn you into a big fan.

Ingredients:

4 squares of bittersweet or semisweet baker’s chocolate cubes.
1 cup or 1 stick of unsalted butter
½ teaspoon instant coffee
4 eggs
½ cup sugar

1 orange’s zest

1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup flour
1 pinch of salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

The best method of melting chocolate is using the double boiler. Heat a pot of water on medium heat. Combine the chocolate and the butter in a small bowl and set it over the simmering water. Stir the chocolate often using a spatula until it forms a smooth texture.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, instant coffee, orange zest, pinch of salt and teaspoon of vanilla until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is combined well. Be careful not to over mix or the cake will turn hard. You may use an electric mixer, though keep it on medium speed.

Slowly combine the melted chocolate with the rest of the ingredients while stirring until the mix is smooth. Beat in the flour until well incorporated.

Grease 4 ramekins or custard cups with butter and some flour so that the cake batter will be loose and easy to remove once baked.

You may also use muffin cups for a smaller portion. However, make sure to line them with muffin paper cups or foil paper.

Divide the batter evenly among the 4 ramekins.

Bake for exactly 12 minutes, no more and no less. The batter should be slightly puffed up and the centre should be moist.

Remove the cakes from the ramekins and let it rest for 30 seconds. Serve the cakes on a dessert plate.

Optional: Top the cake with candied orange peel, fresh berries or slices of orange.

Eat and Enjoy!

What is so great about this recipe?

When the stress of midterms and essays is eating you up and you are searching for a fast way to escape and regain some energy, you can warm up some of those chocolate lava cakes you made the other night.Chocolate will help you reduce some of that anxiety you’re feeling, and it will give you a boost of mental energy to get your assignments done on time. Some steps of this recipe can be made ahead of time. Just mix the batter and put it either in the fridge or freezer, depending on how long you plan to keep it. Be sure to let it melt regain its smooth texture before making. Once made, it’s a great treat for guests, especially if you serve it with a cup of warm coffee.