Queso Cornbread Lava Cakes Recipes

QUESO LAVA CAKES RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Make the queso: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, processed American cheese, butter, and Monterey Jack cheese and mix with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until smooth and combined. Add the drained pico de gallo and mix with a rubber spatula to incorporate.
• Using a ¼ cup measure, scoop out 4 heaping portions of the queso onto the prepared baking sheet. Freeze for at least 2 hours, up to overnight, until completely hardened.
• Make the lava cakes: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Arrange 4 10-ounce ramekins on a baking sheet. Grease with nonstick spray and dust each with 1 tablespoon of flour, rotating until the ramekins are well coated and tapping out any excess.
• In a large bowl, stir together the remaining cup of flour, the cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, canola oil, egg, chives, and chipotles with a rubber spatula until well combined.
• Fill each ramekin with 2 tablespoons of the batter and place 1 frozen queso ball in the centers, making sure to keep at least ¼ inch of space between the queso and the sides of the ramekin. Divide the remaining batter between the ramekins.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until puffed and golden brown on the top. Let cool for 5 minutes before inverting onto plates.
• Garnish each lava cake with a dollop of sour cream, chorizo crumbles, a cilantro leaf, and a drizzle of hot sauce, then serve immediately.
• Enjoy!

ELEVATED MOLTEN LAVA CAKES

Steps:

• Prepare and bake 2, 4 or 6 lava cakes according to the package directions. Have ready one or more of the following toppings:
• Spun Sugar: Combine 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup and 1/4 cup water in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Cook to 300 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Let cool to 275 degrees F. Position 2 wooden spoons 2 feet apart on similar-size bowls with their handles sticking out over the edge by 6 inches. Put newspaper or foil on the counter below the spoons. Dip a fork in the sugar syrup and flick it back and forth over the spoon handles to create many long thin threads. Repeat 3 or 4 times, then gently gather up the threads and put them on a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining sugar until all of it is spun. Place each lava cake in the middle of a serving plate, dust with confectioners' sugar and top with some of the spun sugar.
• Cherry Sauce: Combine 2 cups (about 8 ounces) pitted fresh cherries, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon cherry liqueur, such as Luxardo, and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the cherries are very soft, about 10 minutes. Puree in a blender and pour through a fine-mesh strainer; discard any solids left in the strainer. Transfer to a squeeze bottle and chill until ready to use (up to 1 day). Squeeze cherry sauce dots all over each serving plate and place a lava cake in the middle. Top with French vanilla ice cream and serve with a couple of fresh cherries.
• S'mores: Place each lava cake in the middle of a serving plate. Top with about 2 tablespoons marshmallow creme and use a kitchen blowtorch to toast the creme until golden. Insert a square of dark chocolate and a shard of graham cracker in the creme.
• Coffee Whipped Cream: Combine 1/2 cup cold heavy cream and 2 tablespoons coffee-flavored liqueur, such as Kahlua, in a medium bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Place each lava cake in the middle of a serving plate and sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa and confectioners' sugar. Top with the flavored whipped cream and several chopped chocolate-covered espresso beans.

INSTANT POT CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKES

Steps:

• Lightly coat four 6-ounce heat-safe ramekins (each about 3 1/2 inches in diameter) with cooking spray. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the granulated sugar to each one, turning ramekin to coat all sides. Tap out any extra sugar out and set ramekins aside.
• Combine the butter and both chocolate chips in a medium heat-safe bowl and microwave in 15-second intervals until just melted, stirring with a heat-safe silicone spatula after each interval, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.
• Immediately whisk in the brown sugar, then allow to cool for 5 minutes. Combine the salt, cornstarch and flour in a small bowl and stir to combine. Add the whole eggs, egg yolks and vanilla extract to the chocolate mixture and whisk until smooth and glossy. Whisk in the flour mixture until a thick batter forms.
• Divide the batter evenly among the 4 prepared ramekins. Cover each ramekin tightly with foil.
• Pour 1 1/2 cups water in the bottom of a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot®. Place the steamer rack in the pot and put the ramekins on the rack in a single snug layer. Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set the pot to pressure cook on high for 10 minutes (see Cook's Note).
• After the pressure cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for quick release and wait until the quick-release cycle is complete. Be careful of any remaining steam and unlock and remove the lid.
• Use tongs to carefully remove the ramekins from the pot, then remove the foil. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. The cakes should look matte on top, but if any still look glossy and undercooked the cakes will finish setting up as they cool slightly.
• Use a paring knife to gently go around the edges of each cake and carefully invert onto a plate. Dust the cakes with confectioner's sugar and serve immediately.

CLASSIC MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CASSIS BERRIES

Steps:

• For the cassis berries: Put the cassis in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil until reduced to about 3 tablespoons, about 5 minutes. Put the berries in a bowl and toss with the reduced cassis. Let stand, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour.
• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter four 4-ounce ramekins and dust with the cocoa powder.
• Put the butter in a small saucepan and heat over low until melted. Add the chocolate, espresso powder, vanilla and salt and stir until thoroughly melted and combined. Stir in the flour.
• Combine the sugar, whole eggs and yolks in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on high speed until pale and thick, about 3 minutes. Add the chocolate mixture to the beaten eggs and beat to combine. Divide the mixture among the ramekins (at this point, the cakes can be refrigerated up to 4 hours and then brought to room temperature before baking).
• Put the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake until the tops and edges are set but about an inch in the center is still wobbly, about 12 minutes. Let the cakes stand for 1 minute. Run a thin knife around the edge of the cakes. Cover a ramekin with a small plate and invert the ramekin (using an oven mitt or towel) onto the plate. Remove the ramekin, leaving the cake on the plate. Repeat with the remaining cakes.
• For the berry mascarpone: Transfer 3 tablespoons of the berry juices from the cassis berries to a bowl. Add the mascarpone, sugar and vanilla and mix to combine.
• Dollop the berry mascarpone on the cakes and top with a spoonful of the cassis berries. Garnish with mint sprigs.