Molten Chocolate Cake

Maybe September's theme should be "saving $$ by making it yourself". The latte was a good start. Another item I hate spending $6 or $7 on is the "Lava" cake at certain restaurants. I always thought it was labor intensive to make, or expensive. Certainly something that looks so fancy can't be EASY. Wrong! Here goes...

1-1/4 C sugar, divided

1 C flour

7 Tbsp cocoa, divided ( I like the special dark)

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c milk

1/3 C melted butter

1-1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 C packed light brown sugar

1-1/4 C hot water

Preheat oven to 350.

In medium mixing bowl combine 3/4 C sugar, flour, 3 tbsp cocoa, baking powder and salt. Blend in milk, butter and vanilla; beat until smooth. Pour batter into 9x9x2 pan. In small bowl combine remaining 1/2 c sugar, brown sugar, and remaining 4 tbsp cocoa; sprinkle mixture evenly over batter. Pour hot water over top, DO NOT STIR. Bake 40 min, or until center is almost set. Let stand for 15 min before serving.

Goes great with the simple vanilla ice cream recipe!