Ashen Lava Cake

Written by Daniel Austin

A lovely, simple vegetarian recipe that serves four.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup sugar

• ⅛ tsp sea salt

• ½ tsp orange extract

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• 4 egg yolks

• 2 egg whites

• 6 oz bittersweet chocolate

• ½ cup butter, plus extra for greasing the ramekins

• 2 tbsp flour

• 1 tsp orange zest

• black sugar sprinkles

• whipped cream (optional)

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 450F

2. Butter and lightly flour four 7-oz ramekins. 

3. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer and whisk attachment, whisk the sugar, salt, extracts, and egg yolks together until they are very light in color and thick, and set aside. Then, in a medium bowl, whisk the egg whites into stiff peaks. Set aside.

4. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate with ½ cup butter. Cool slightly and then fold the chocolate into the sugar mixture. 

5. Gently fold in the flour, orange zest, and whipped egg whites. 

6. Pour the chocolate cake mixture into floured ramekins, filling them up to about ¾ of the way. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the outside crust forms and the inside is still slightly jiggly. Remove and let it stand for 3 minutes to cool.

7. Taking care and using gloves or a dishtowel, stabilize the ramekins and, with a butter knife, workaround the edge to dislodge the cake. 

8. Place a plate over the ramekin and invert it. Tap the bottom of the ramekin and carefully lift the ramekin, revealing the cake. 

9. Serve immediately, dusted with black sugar, and optionally topped with whipped cream.