Chocolate Lava Cake

I was looking for a lava cake recipe using cocoa powder, rather than prepared chocolate. I modified a recipe from Jan Kruse found at http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/mercurynews/living/columnists/homeplates/16800969.htm

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  cup flour
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 2  tablespoons  cocoa, divided use
• 1⁄4 cup  cocoa, divided use
• 2  tablespoons  melted butter
• 1⁄2 cup  whole milk
• 1  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1 3⁄4 cups hot water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Blend flour, salt, baking powder, granulated sugar and two tablespoons cocoa powder in a mixing bowl.
3. Stir in melted shortening and milk.
4. Spread batter in a 9-inch-by-9-inch baking pan and sprinkle with brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa.
5. Pour hot water over all.
6. Bake 45 minutes.
7. During baking, chocolate sauce will settle to bottom and cake will rise to top.
8. To serve, invert cake onto plate or cut cake into squares and invert each square onto a small dessert place.
9. Spoon sauce over top.
10. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.