Indulge in these rich and gooey chocolate lava cups, a delightful dessert perfect for any occasion.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Ensure the oven is fully preheated to achieve even baking.
Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, stirring until smooth.
Use a double boiler setup to prevent the chocolate from burning.
Remove the bowl from heat and stir in the sugar and salt until combined.
Mix thoroughly to dissolve the sugar for a smoother batter.
Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
Ensure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
Gently fold in the flour until just combined.
Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light.
Divide the batter evenly among greased ramekins and place them on a baking sheet.
Grease the ramekins well to ensure easy removal of the lava cups.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are set but the center remains soft.
Keep a close eye on the baking time to achieve the perfect molten center.
Let the lava cups cool for 5 minutes before serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Serve warm to enjoy the gooey chocolate center.