Molten Chocolate Mug Cake: Valentine's Day for One

Are you spending Valentine's Day by yourself? Treat yourself! Here's a great chocolate Valentine's Day Dessert for One: MOLTEN CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE. This is so easy to make and Perfect for One! And, you're special, so celebrate!  FYI: This is a big Mug Cake for One..

Molten Chocolate Mug Cake: Valentine's Day for One

Ingredients
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
3 Tbsp whole milk
1 egg
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 ounce chopped chocolate  (whatever you have--truffles, chocolate bars, etc..and dark or milk chocolate--your preference)
1 Tbsp water

Directions
In 2-cup capacity microwave-safe mug or bowl, whisk together with fork, flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Add in melted butter, milk, egg, and vanilla. Whisk well to combine, making sure to mix in flour mixture in bottom. Put chopped chocolate in center of mug. Do not push down; it sinks as it bakes. Drizzle tablespoon of water on top of batter.

Cook in microwave on full power for 1 minute and 15 seconds until cake rises to top, edges look set but surface of center is a little wet and shiny and sticks to finger when touched. It will set up as it sits. Do NOT overbake. If the center still looks raw then give it another 5 to 10 seconds. Cake will fall after it comes out of microwave (like a soufflé). Let cool for 5 minutes to help thicken sauce in bottom.

Optional: Sprinkle with powdered sugar or add ice cream or whipped cream! 

TIP: Short mug with wide mouth works best. If not available, use a small bowl instead. I use a vintage Pyrex Bowl. To know if your mug/or bowl is the right size, pour 2 cups of water into it and this should fill it to the top.

"CATCH-A-VALENTINE" CAKE: Retro Ad with Recipe for Valentine's Day!

I love this Retro Ad & Recipe for Valentine's Day -- Catch-a-Valentine Cake! So pretty and yummy. But it's not chocolate, so I decided to post the photo and original recipe (scroll down), but I've also added a link to a wonderful recipe for Chocolate Cherry Layer Cake for Valentine's Day from Serious Eats. So plan your Valentine's Day celebration and make one or both of these delicious Valentine's Day Cakes.

Catch a Valentine Cake! 

Chocolate Cherry Layer Cake

I love this recipe for Chocolate Cherry Layer Cake from Serious Eats. Tart Cherry Juice is a great ingredient in chocolate cake. The tart cherries bring out the earthy chocolate. I drink tart cherry juice, so it's a staple in my fridge. You won't really taste the cherry in the cake, but it's there, and it does subtly change the chocolate flavor. This recipe also calls for natural cocoa powder. Serious Eats suggests Valrhona Cocoa or Cacao Barry Extra Brute, but you can use Guittard or Ghirardelli...or whatever you have. Of course, the better your ingredients, the better the cake.

For the Serious Eats recipe, tips, and step by step directions, go HERE.

YOUR OWN WINE & CHOCOLATE PAIRING: Valentine's Day

Maybe you're going to a chocolate/wine pairing at your favorite winery or chocolate shop for Valentine's Day? If you're not, it's still not too late to set up one of your own for your sweetie. This would make a great Valentine's Day gift. 

I came across this fabulous guide to wine and chocolate pairing from ProFlowers several years ago. Taylor Poppmeier pairs 14 popular chocolates like peanut butter cups and chocolate covered espresso beans with complimentary wines. Enjoy! 

Taylor Poppmeier

As a self-admitted chocoholic, it's obvious that I enjoy my fair share of my favorite treat. I have always enjoyed a glass of red with a square (or bar) of dark chocolate but was hesitant to enjoy anything more adventurous out of fear that the taste of both would clash. Some connoisseurs argue that the bold flavors make pairing difficult so I am sharing a handy guide with you. ProFlowers created an easy cheat sheet for wine and chocolate pairings. They included everything from high end lavender truffles to the classic favorites like peanut butter cups. So peel open that candy bar and pour yourself a glass of wine. Cheers!

Basic Wine and Chocolate Pairing Rules:

1. The wine should be as sweet as the chocolate.
2. Begin pairing by color. The darker the chocolate, the darker the wine.
3. When possible, opt for a high quality chocolate bar.
4. Consider texture as well as taste.

VALENTINE'S DAY CHOCOLATE CHERRY SCONES

Want to start your Valentine's Day celebration at breakfast? Here's a great recipe for Valentine's Day Chocolate Cherry Scones! Or have these great scones with your Valentine's Day afternoon tea!

VALENTINE'S DAY CHOCOLATE CHERRY SCONES

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup whipping cream, divided
1/4 cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped
3 ounces dark chocolate, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°.

Stir together first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture with pastry blender until crumbly and mixture resembles small peas. Freeze 5 minutes. Add 3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp cream, dried cherries, and chocolate, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not overwork!)

Turn dough out onto wax paper; gently press or pat dough into 7-inch round (mixture will be crumbly). Cut round into 8 wedges. Place wedges 2 inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. Brush tops of wedges with remaining 2 Tbsp cream just until moistened.

Bake at 450° for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden. Keep your eye on them.