Chocolate Lava Cake

Wow it's been over a year since my last post... seriously haven't had much inspiration in the kitchen... until TONIGHT! This uses very simple ingredients that you'd normally have at home, and gives you just the right amount of chocolate HIT when you're really craving for it :) Enjoy!

Chocolate Lava Cake
Makes about 8 half-cup ramekins


170g dark cooking chocolate (the darker the better I think!)
170g butter
3 eggs (room temp)
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
butter for ramekins


Preheat oven to 175C (350F)
1. Melt chocolate (do this properly like use double boiler, just search online)
2. Stir in diced butter
3. Beat eggs & sugar in a separate bowl until slightly pale
4. Stir in melted chocolate, then add flour, stir until all mixed
5. Butter the ramekins, pour no more than 2/3 full
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes (less baking time = more gooey)
7. Serve in ramekins, or use a knife to slide around the edge and tip on to plate. Best served immediately


(Be careful, the ramekins are very hot!)


Ref: http://www.famousfrenchdesserts.com/chocolate-lava-cake-recipe.html

Fluffy Cookies

I finally have time to bake!! YESH! After studying for 3 months, then exam plus getting the flu, totally crazy..! My husband suddenly wanted these soft cookies I made ages ago, so I made them for him. I just realised now how yummy they are because they are so soft and almost cake-like. I call them my Fluffy Cookies. I don't remember where I found the recipe though... it was a long time ago :)

Fluffy Cookies
Makes 18


1/2 cup butter (room temp) - this is equivalent to approx 113g
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 1/4 cup unsifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt (don't use this if you are using salted butter)
2 cups chocolate chips or chopped up cooking chocolates


Note: I normally reduce each of the sugars by about 2 tablespoons


1. Cream first 3 ingredients until light and fluffy, add vanilla, add eggs and beat well.
2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add to creamed mixture and beat well. Stir in chocolates.
3. Divide into 9 equal sized balls (about a round soup spoon size), place on cookie sheet and press lightly until they're about 2cm high
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned in a 190C preheated oven.
5. Cool slightly, remove from cookie sheet and place on cooling rack.

Mrs Higgins Replica

Found this recipe online - very quick search I must say! Everyone loves Mrs Higgins cookies!!! It tastes just like Mrs Higgins cookies (ate one fresh from the oven 10 mins ago)... you can change the recipe to suit your favourite :) e.g. white choc + macadamia instead of just choc chips YUM

I halved (as below) the original recipe to try it first... Removed the salt because I used salted butter... And reduced the sugar...

It's very quick to make, everything you have in your standard pantry... so make it now!

Mrs Higgins Replica for Chocolate Chip Cookies

160-170C

Makes 10 - 12

1 cup flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

85g butter, melted

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 tbs vanilla extract

1 egg yolk

1/2 egg white

1 cup chopped chocolate

1. Sift and mix flour and baking soda, set aside

2. Mix butter and sugars until well blended

3. Add eggs and vanilla to butter sugar mix until light & creamy

4. Add sifted ingredients to the butter mix until just blended

5. Add chopped chocolate to cookie dough

6. Put in fridge for 15mins or more

7. Spoon into baking tray (lined with baking sheet) 5cm apart

8. Take out after 15-17 mins in oven (will be very soft but it will set out of the oven) then cool on wire rack once you can handle them.

Ref: http://nzfavouriterecipe.co.nz/recipes/desserts/317-best-big-fat-chewy-mouthwatering-chocolate-chip-cookies