Peppermint Mocha Lava Cakes Recipes

PEPPERMINT MOCHA LAVA CAKES

Steps:

• Combine the chocolate, International Delight Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer, and butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 45 seconds, then whisk well. If chunks of chocolate remain, microwave in short bursts, whisking after each one, until the chocolate is melted and the ganache is smooth and shiny.
• Press a layer of cling wrap on top of the ganache and refrigerate it for about 90 minutes, until set. (It will still be slightly soft, you just need to be able to scoop and roll it.) Dust your hands with a light coating of cocoa powder. Use a small candy scoop or a teaspoon to scoop a one-inch ball of chocolate into your hands, and roll it until it is round and even. Set the truffle on a baking sheet covered with parchment or waxed paper, then repeat until you've made 8 truffles.
• Place the truffles in the freezer while you prepare the lava cake batter. Reserve the remaining ganache to make a chocolate sauce later.
• Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray eight 1-cup ramekins with nonstick cooking spray, and set them on a baking sheet.
• Combine the semi-sweet chocolate, unsweetened chocolate, and butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, then whisk well. If chunks remain, heat in short bursts and whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and melted.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, yolks, and powdered sugar. Whip them together for about 1 minute, until frothy. Add the melted chocolate to the egg mixture and mix until combined. Finally, add the all-purpose flour and peppermint extract, and gently fold everything together until no streaks of flour remain.
• Divide the lava cake batter evenly between the prepared ramekins. Press a frozen truffle into the center of each cake, and gently swirl the top of the batter to cover the truffle. Bake the cakes for 14-16 minutes. They should be set around the edges, but very soft and jiggly and almost "wet" looking in the middle.
• Let them cool for about 10 minutes at room temperature, then gently pull the cakes away from the sides of the ramekins with your fingers to loosen them. Place a plate on top of a ramekin, flip it upside down, and remove the ramekin to release the cake onto the plate.
• Top the lava cakes with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream. Heat the remaining ganache in short bursts and whisk until smooth to make a peppermint mocha chocolate sauce you can drizzle over the cakes. These cakes are best enjoyed warm, so the centers are still fluid when you cut into them.
• If you want to make the lava cakes in advance, they keep very well. You can store them in the ramekins, or remove them carefully and store them on a baking sheet. However you do it, make sure they're well-wrapped in plastic wrap, so they don't dry out, and keep them in the refrigerator. To serve, just warm them up in the microwave for 20-30 seconds (err on the shorter side to start!) so that the inside becomes molten chocolate again. Enjoy!

PEPPERMINT SWIRL CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease and dust four 8-ounce ovenproof ramekins with unsweetened cocoa powder and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Line a plate with parchment paper.
• Combine the white chocolate chips and heavy cream in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the peppermint extract. Divide the white ganache into 2 small bowls. Add 3 drops of red food coloring to one bowl to tint it red and 3 drops of white food coloring to the other bowl to brighten the white ganache. Refrigerate, covered, until mostly set, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the red and white ganache to individual piping bags and snip each tip to make a 1/2-inch opening. On the prepared plate, pipe two 1-inch-high dollops of each ganache side by side, alternating the color, to form a rough checkerboard cube of 2 red dollops and 2 white dollops. (If the ganache is too stiff to pipe, microwave for 10 seconds). Repeat 3 more times for a total of 4 checkerboard cubes. Freeze until solid, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the flour and salt in a medium bowl and set aside. Combine the dark chocolate and butter in another medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, stirring every 15 seconds, until completely melted, about 1 minute 15 seconds. Whisk until smooth.
• Combine the eggs, yolks and granulated sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the melted chocolate mixture. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and fold in the flour mixture with a rubber spatula.
• Fill the prepared ramekins halfway with the batter. Place a frozen ganache cube in the center of each, then cover with the remaining batter.
• Bake until the cakes bounce back slightly when gently pressed and the centers are slightly sunk from the ganache, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Let cool in the ramekins for 10 minutes, then invert and unmold each onto an individual dessert plate. Place a paper snowflake cutout or doily over each cake and dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve immediately.