For World Chocolate Day!

Chocolate lava cakes

Ingredients (for four servings)

• 200g dark chocolate, chopped
• 100g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
• 150g caster sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 50g plain flour
• A pinch of salt
• Icing sugar, for dusting (optional)

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan-assisted). Grease four ramekins with butter and dust with a little flour.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the dark chocolate and butter together, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, caster sugar, and vanilla extract until thick and pale.
4. Fold the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until well combined.
5. Sift in the flour and salt, and gently fold until the batter is smooth.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared ramekins.
7. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are set but the centres are still soft.
8. Let the cakes cool for a minute before inverting onto plates. Dust with icing sugar if desired and serve immediately.

Triple chocolate brownies (16 servings)

Ingredients

• 200g dark chocolate, chopped
• 175g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
• 275g caster sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 75g plain flour
• 50g cocoa powder
• 100g white chocolate, chopped
• 100g milk chocolate, chopped

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan-assisted). Grease and line a 20cm square baking tin with baking parchment.
2. Melt the dark chocolate and butter together in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and caster sugar together until pale and frothy.
4. Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and mix until well combined.
5. Sift in the flour and cocoa powder, and gently fold until just combined.
6. Stir in the chopped white and milk chocolate pieces.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared baking tin and spread evenly.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out with a few moist crumbs.
9. Allow the brownies to cool in the tin before cutting into squares.

Chocolate mousse (4 servings)

Ingredients

• 200g milk chocolate, chopped
• 3 large eggs, separated
• 50g caster sugar
• 300ml double cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Method

1. Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Let it cool slightly.
2. In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until soft peaks form.
3. Gradually add the caster sugar and continue whisking until stiff peaks form.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk the double cream and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
5. Stir the egg yolks into the melted chocolate until well combined.
6. Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until fully incorporated.
7. Carefully fold in the egg whites, being cautious not to deflate the mixture.
8. Spoon the mousse into individual serving dishes and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until set.
9. Serve chilled, optionally garnished with grated chocolate or a dollop of whipped cream.

These indulgent chocolate recipes are simple to make and perfect for you chocoholics out there. Happy World Chocolate Day!