Mini Molten Lava Cake

...also known as our "cruise dessert".

Cruise dessert? You see, Billy and I went on a cruise to Mexico a couple years ago and everynight at dinner he had to get what they called the 'chocolate melting cake' for dessert. After a couple nights, our server realized how much Billy loved it and he would bring him out an extra cake for our last remaining nights. What a good man.

The dessert wasn't anything fancy by any means and I knew I could find a recipe very similar to it. This is it - thank you Martha. It's called Mini Molten Lava Cake. It is so super easy and Billy seems to really enjoy it. It surprises me because usually he's not that into an all chocolate dessert, but this he does like so I figure why not make it for him for Valentines day?

Here's the yummy ingredients:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for muffin tins
1/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for muffin tins
3 large eggs
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
Confectioners' sugar - for dusting
Whipped Cream, Vanilla Iceam, Raspberries/Strawberries/Blackberries - for serving (all optional)

 Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously butter 12 cups in cupcake pan (or you can use a standard muffin pan with 6 cups for bigger cakes). Dust with granulated sugar, and tap out excess. Set aside.

2)In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. With the mixer on low speed, beat in flour and salt until just combined. Beat in chocolate until just combined. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups.

3)Place muffin tin on a baking sheet; bake just until tops of the cakes no longer jiggle when the pan is lightly shaken, 5-6 minutes for the smaller cupcake pan (or 8-10 minutes for standard muffin pan). Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes.

4) To serve - turn out cakes, place on serving plates, bottom sides up. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream.

I like to add some raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries (whatever you have!) on the top too!

I'm so excited to make this for him when we get back from our trip. It will be the icing on the cake. literally. 

We are so excited to getaway for a few days and go out to eat at some different places, spend time with family & friends, and explore the area. We are actually staying an extra day in Charlotte now because the weather is looking good for Sunday & Monday...60! :)

 Here's the forecast for Charlotte, NC.

It may not be in the 80's, but for a weekend trip & coming from 20-30 degree weather it will probably feel like a heat wave to us!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and special Valentines day<3

XOXO.