Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

Submitted by Chef Joey Z.

"This recipe comes from the Fat free Vegan. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks scrumptious!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 5mins
• Ingredients: 19
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• For The Molten Centers

• 2⁄3 cup non-dairy chocolate chips (dark chocolate)
• 2 tablespoons arrowroot (or cornstarch)
• 1⁄4 cup soymilk (plain or vanilla)

• For The Cake

• 2 ounces spinach (fresh or frozen-include stems if you want)
• 1⁄4 cup soymilk (plain, vanilla or chocolate)
• 1 cup raw zucchini (fresh or frozen-course chop)
• 1⁄3 cup agave nectar (light or dark)
• 1⁄4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1⁄4 cup sunflower oil (or other light oil)
• 1 tablespoon flax seed meal (ground fine)
• 1⁄2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons instant coffee (substitute)
• 1 cup spelt flour (white)
• 1⁄2 cup oat flour (whole)
• 1⁄3 cup cocoa powder (dark and 22-24% fat content)
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon sea salt

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350'F. Lightly spray 8 oven safe large ramekins or custard cups and place on a cookie sheet.
2. FOR THE MOLTEN CENTER.
3. In a small, heavy pot, combine the chips, cornstarch, and soy milk. Stir constantly over medium-low heat until the chips are melted and the texture is smooth. Turn off heat and set aside.
4. FOR THE CAKE:.
5. In a blender or food processor, blend together the spinach, soy milk, zucchini to a smooth puree. Add the agave, maple syrup, oil, flax, coffee substitute, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla, blend to combine. Set aside while you measure the dry ingredients, or for at least two minutes.
6. In a large bowl, sift together the flours, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk together to combine.
7. Scoop about 1/4 cup of the cake batter into each ramekin, then place a large spoonful (about 2 tablespoons of filling on it (try not to touch the sides of the ramekin otherwise it will not work). Cover with more batter so that the ramekin is 2/3 full.
8. Bake the cakes in your preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, until a tester inserted in the edge comes out dry. The middle will remain moist, as that's where the molten filling is. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes.
9. Turn cakes out onto serving dishes. Serve immediately. You can garnish with fresh raspberries and vegan whipped cream if desired.
10. You can half this recipe also.
11. Bon Appetit!
12. Variation: Omit the molten center and gently stir 2/3 cup chocolate chips to the batter before filling the pan. Maybe be baked as cupcakes.