Dark Chocolate Lava Cakes

I like any excuse to brag about Philadelphia. I can’t help it, I’m proud of where I live. So I get even more excited when the bragging involves food. Recently, National Geographic named Teuscher Chocolates the Best Chocolate in the World. Teuscher hails from Zurich, Switzerland but we have our very own store here in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia actually has quite a chocolate history, we even used to have a Confectioner’s Row (N 3rd St in Old City in case you’re interested). Wilber Chocolate, Whittman’s, and even Hershey’s got their start in the Philadelphia confectionery scene. And many brands continue that tradition to this day, including Teuscher, located in the Bellevue.

To celebrate being the Best Chocolate in the World, Teuscher Philadelphia contacted a few of us local bloggers and offered to let us sample some of their chocolates. Honestly, who’s going to say no to that?!

You may have seen some of my Instagram photos about their chocolates. Every piece seemed to be better than the last. I was hoarding them, eating one a day, until they sadly were all gone. The house specialty is not to be missed: the Classic Champagne Truffle. Made with dark chocolate ganache coated in milk chocolate with some Dom Perginon champagne creme, these are little bites of happiness and luxury. They even have Dark Chocolate Champagne Truffles! But their other choices really hold their own. The Chocolate Citrus Peels were amazing, but my ultimate favorite was the fleur de sel caramel. I cannot even put into words how good it was!

If that wasn’t enough to make me giddy, I also walked away with a bar of Teuscher’s Chocolate 99, a 99% chocolate bar that is somehow not overly bitter, perfect for baking. The chocolate has no chemicals, additives, or preservatives either.

To show off this beautiful chocolate, I decided to make Chocolate Lava Cakes, which are super easy to make and would impress any Valentine (hint hint). And because chocolate makes me feel oh so warm and fuzzy inside, I wanted to share some of this chocolatey goodness with one lucky reader! I am giving away an assorted box of Teuscher Chocolates! (More below)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Chocolate 99 Baking Bars
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup flour

First start by making the chocolate centers. Melt 2 ounces of the chocolate bar and heavy cream in a metal bowl placed over simmering water. Mix to combine.

Refrigerate for 2 hours, or until firm.

Split the chocolate mixture evenly into 4 balls and refrigerate until needed.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Butter 4 ramekins and dust with cocoa powder (if desired).

To make cake, melt 4 ounces of the chocolate and 1 stick of butter in a metal bowl over a simmering pot of water, stirring to combine.

Combine eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla with a mixer on high for 5 minutes or until the mixture thickens and is light in color.

Add the melted chocolate mixture and flour to the egg mixture and mix to combine.

Add to 4 ramekins.

Add a chocolate ball in the middle of each ramekin and push down (but not to the bottom) to cover.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cake is set. Allow to set for a few minutes and then run a knife around the edges of the ramekin. Flip on to a plate.

If you’re like me and you’re just eating this lovely guy all on its own, feel free to dig in at this stage.

To really snazz it up, add some whipped cream, raspberries, mint, or whatever other toppings you prefer.

Look how fluffy yet gooey this cake is!

It was melting so quickly so excuse the quality of these photos… This would be a great and easy way to wow someone for a special dinner, especially if you’re a dark chocolate fan.

So I didn’t want to keep this chocolate party just to myself so I also picked up an assorted box of Teuscher Chocolates to give away! The box is filled with assorted chocolates and truffles. Teuscher Philly’s boxes are decorated with art from Philly’s own Britt Miller, a local artist and friend of mine.

She paints a ton of beautiful pieces, but her Philadelphia skylines are the most coveted. I even have one of my own!

 

To enter for a chance to win this chocolate, use the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

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