Molten Chocolate Cakes

Since my husband is going to the Dominican Republic for 10 days and my 30th birthday falls within that time, we decided to celebrate a week early. He actually made me cake this year (the first time in 10 years of marriage)! The cake was really rich and so chocolatey. I had mine with raspberry sauce and dulce de leche Hagen Daz. We ate the leftover cakes the next day cold and they were still delicious. PetShopgirl asked Beau Brummel to make these for her birthday as well.

I have actually made my own birthday cake a few times and that just stinks! So I was naturally thrilled about this.

Molten Chocolate Cakes from Every Day Food

4 T unsalted butter at room temperature, plus more for muffin tins

1/3 c granulated sugar, plus more for muffin tins

3 large eggs

1/3 c all-purpose flour

1/4 t salt

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted

powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 400 F. Generously butter 4 cups of a standard muffin tin. Dust with granulated sugar, and tap out excess. Set aside.

In bowl of electric mixer, cream butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the flour and salt until just combined. Beat in chocolate, do not overmix. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups.

Place muffin tin on baking sheet; bake just until the tops of the cakes no longer jiggle when the pan is lightly shaken, 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes.

To serve, turn out cakes and place on serving plates. top sides up. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with any of the following: whipped cream, vanilla ice cream (with black specs), raspberry sauce, dulce de leche ice cream. 

I Can't Believe its made from Dried Apples Pie

I heart pie. All kinds of pie. I also love that I can make a yummy apple pie from dried apple slices. Mine come from the Lindon Cannery in Utah, but any dehydrated apples will do. Although I really like to eat plain old unsweetened apple chips, it is really satisfying to make what seems dry and boring into a moist and delectable dessert. The tapioca creates a nice texture, not runny at all. The original recipe used flour as a thickener and did not contain vanilla. This is a good way to ease your family into eating through and rotating those hundred cans of food storage you've got coming out of the wazoo.

I Can't Believe its made from Dried Apples Pie

3 c dried apple slices

1 1/2 c hot water

3/4 c sugar

1 T instant tapioca powder

1 t cinnamon

1/8 t nutmeg

1/2 t vanilla

1 t lemon juice

pastry for 2 crust 9" pie

butter

Put apple slices in a bowl and cover with hot water. Tightly cover with plastic wrap and let soak for 1 hour. Do not drain liquid. Add sugar, instant tapioca powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and lemon juice. Mix well. Fill bottom crust with mixture and dot with little blobs of butter. Put on top crust and seal edges. Make a steam vent in the center of top crust. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 400 F for 40-50 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (the kind with the black specks).