What is the flavor of love? She’ll take Chocolate and Vanilla

By Suzanne Corbett, Food / Travel Editor

I have a consuming passion for vanilla and chocolate. And I’m not alone. I share this love with countless others this Valentine’s Day. No surprise. Vanilla and chocolate are the flavors of love.

Besides being the favorite flavors for desserts and ice creams, chocolate and vanilla are considered aphrodisiacs.  No wonder St. Valentine loves to treat lovers with treats laced with these two flavorful sexy ingredients that fill those oversized heart-shaped boxes. However, I’m looking for more than candy this Valentine’s Day.

While candy may be the culinary gift of love, but I’m craving something different. Something sinfully decadent to represent my burning love. I’m craving ice cream.  It’s a feeling shared by Tamara Keefe, Clementine’s Creamery’s owner and self-proclaimed Flavor Temptress, who has taken her burning love for ice cream and created the perfect culinary love match.  Lava Cake topped with her Madagascar Vanilla Ice Cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce. A hot number to make any pair of lovers swoon.

Lava Cake is a classic rich deep chocolate cake with a molted chocolate center, If baked just right it erupts with a flow of chocolate when its cut into. When it’s topped with ice cream it becomes the perfect pair to consume. Needless to say it’s love at first bite.

As a special Valentine gift Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamy has shared its recipe for Lava Cake.  Easy and fast to make, leaving plenty to time to spend with the love of your life.  Bake ahead of time and serve at room temp or warmed, crowned with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or perhaps top with one of Clementine’s Valentine’s special Valentine’s flavors. A love offering of four different flavors, including  Cinful Bunz, flavored with cinnamon, butterscotch schnapps, Rumchata, vanilla, butter and brown sugar, and the favorite from last year, Love Handles. Packed with dark chocolate brownies and salty pretzels.  Just choose whatever your heart’s desire is and eat up. Don’t worry which flavor to choose to top your  home baked Lava Cake because no matter ice cream flavor you pick it won’t cool the flames of love. Chances are, it may well help stoke the flames.  Happy Valentine’s Day.

Clementine’s Lava Cakes

1 Cup Dark chocolate chips (72% cocoa)

1 Cup Unsalted Butter (melted)

1 Cup Powdered Sugar

2 Large Eggs, whisked

1/4 Cup All Purpose Flour

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Set oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and vanilla., then set aside. Spray silicone molds or small baking ramekins with cooking spray and set aside.

In a separate bowl, add chocolate to melted butter and place in a microwave on high for a minute to melt chocolate. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth.

In a mixing bowl or mixer add chocolate mixture. Combine flour and sugar, then slowly add to chocolate alternately with whisked eggs. Mix until batter is smooth.

Fill each mold or ramekin and fill 3/4. Bake for 6 minutes. Remove cakes from oven. Cakes will have a slight movement appearing underbaked. Cool and serve with topped ice cream.

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