Molten Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Filling

Ever wondered what heaven looks like, feels like?

If you believe there’s a heaven, that is.

Heaven…

I think about it all the time. I wonder whether or not I’d be allowed in. Heaven is all exclusive and whatnot, a little velvet rop-y. Heaven’s got huge requirements… There’s a tablet with the rules. You’ve got to live right in order to be granted access to the pearly gates. And no, you can’t slip the bouncer a 20. Well… I actually don’t know if you can, as no has come back and said I ought to carry a 20 spot in my skinny jeans or purse. Can’t hurt though, right?

Say you’re one of the selective few who can roll up in the clouds, past the pearlys and blessed to sport a cool pair of wings… What would that be like for you?

What if you were free to make up your own heaven, much like Robin Williams in “What Dreams May Come”?

What if you, yes you, were the designer of the place where your soul is to spend all eternity? Would you change it daily? Would there be colored elephants? Would you wake up mornings, paintbrush in hand and have at it with some watercolor flowers? Will you spend all day making blueprints? Will they be blue? Will there be endlessly vivid rainbows which fade only once the next rainbow is fully painted?

What would your heaven feel like, taste like?

My heaven will feel like a good salsa song. Fast thunderous congas permeating my heavenly soul and with every step there’s a dance, a spin, a mambo shine…

Will feel like a four-man A capella group, harmonizing in perfect pitch.

Will feel like the sunset that makes you hitch your breath with its beauty…

Will feel like a booty dance, powerful in synchronized frenetic movement.

Will taste like Wonka candies; hard, sweet, fruity sugar rush.

Like a croissant – Flaky, warm and buttery.

My heaven will taste like the very first bite of a molten chocolate cake; warm melted chocolate and moist cake creating an intensely beautified symphony on the tongue…

Molten chocolate cake will be in my heaven. And when I add peanut butter it will catapult to heaven plus, plus, plus.

I’m sharing a portion of my heaven with you. Because sharing helps me live right.

There are three textures happening in this piece – melted chocolate, warm moist chocolate cake, and smooth lightly sweetened peanut butter. The peanut butter doesn’t melt into the cake; it remains solid, and that makes all the difference here.

Three textures, two flavors… One amazingly decadent cake.

Heaven on earth… In about 40 minutes. This includes baking time. AND! These cakes freeze amazingly well, so you can have molten chocolate cake any day of the week in about 15 minutes flat. I like to make it in batches and bake when I’m in a heavenly mood.

Make that happen… Today, tomorrow, erry day.

And while you’re living out heaven on earth, here are a few tips which might prepare you for real heaven… Keyword: Might. I don’t want to get sued if you don’t make it.

Here goes:

– Make peace with your maker, regardless of what your vision or feelings towards Him may be.

– Be charitable to those less fortunate; help those who ask for it, and those who don’t, but clearly need it.

– Love hard…

– Have faith… Believe everything is gonna be alright, and if it isn’t… Make it so.

– Refocus negative or envious energy into something positive. Don’t live your life a bitter old bitty, hating on folks.

– Live out your dreams… If there is something you really want to do, go for it. You dream for a reason.

– Strive to be happy; happiness is a series of extended moments. Search for those moments and lengthen them as long as possible.

– Laugh hard and out loud… Often…

– Never hurt someone intentionally.

And if you’re just a smidgen short… Carry a $20 in your jeans…

You never know…

: Molten Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Filling

Warm, melted chocolate cake with peanut butter filling… This is what heaven tastes like…

Adapted from: Food & Wine

For the ramekins:

5, 4oz ramekins
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

For the molten chocolate cake:

1 stick unsalted butter
6 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

For the peanut butter filling:

3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 1/2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, plus more for sprinkling
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 400°. Brush five 4-ounce ramekins with melted butter. In a small bowl, whisk the cocoa powder with 1 tablespoon of the flour; dust the ramekins with the cocoa mixture, tapping out the excess. Transfer the ramekins to a baking sheet, and set aside.
In a medium bowl over a pot of simmering water, melt 1 stick of butter with the chocolate, stirring occasionally until fully melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
In a small bowl, blend the peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, butter and vanilla extract until incorporated.
In a bowl of an electric mixer using the whisk attachment, beat the granulated sugar with the eggs and salt at medium-high speed until thick and pale yellow, 3-4 minutes. Add the vanilla extract, and using a rubber spatula, fold in the melted chocolate until no streaks remain. Fold in the 1/4 cup of flour.
Spoon two-thirds of the batter into the prepared ramekins, then spoon the peanut butter mixture on top. Cover peanut butter mixture with remaining chocolate batter. Repeat with all ramekins.
Bake in the center of the oven for 14-15 minutes, until the tops are cracked but the centers are still slightly jiggly. Transfer the ramekins to a rack and let cool for about 5, 7 minutes.
Run the tip of a small knife around each cake to loosen. Invert a small plate over each cake and, using pot holders, or a clean dishtowel, invert again. Carefully lift off the ramekins. Dust the warm cakes with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately.

Preparation time: 20 minute(s)

Cooking time: 15 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 5