While summer is about cooling down, resting and enjoying long lazy days with family, for me, it’s just as much about good food.
Being from the south, we place a lot of feelings and emotions with our food. You know, Southern Comfort Foods. I think God is so amazing and creative to give us unlimited ways to make and prepare things that tantalize our senses: from the smell of the food in the oven, to the touch in our mouths, to the yumminess factor on our tongues.
This new season in our lives started with A. Pumpkin wanting to learn to cook. I was pleasantly surprised and felt honored that she’d want to learn to cook. I soon realized that it wasn’t as much about cooking as I thought it would be.
For her, it was about sharing quality time doing something we had never done. Our kitchen became a wonderful journey which became more about the experience of cooking, rather the result of it.
Today we are sharing an old favorite of ours with you. We’ve been making this easy lava cake for nearly 11 years. May it warm your thoughts and bring a smile to your face as you enjoy your time together this Sunday.
MOLTEN HOT LAVA CAKE
In a large bowl, mix 1 cup flour, 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. salt and 3/4 cup granulated sugar.
Then stir in 1/2 cup of milk, 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil, and 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
Spread batter in a lightly greased 8 -inch square pan.
In another bowl, combine 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar.
Sprinkle over batter in pan.
Using a spoon, gently drizzle 1 1/2 cups boiling water over batter, being careful not to disturb layers.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until a cake layer forms on top and layer springs back when touched.
Let cool on a wire rack 25 minutes. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
A. Pumpkin Recommends…takes Sunday off to be with her family.