Chocolate Lava Cake

Mmmm...chocolate lava cake!  It's the perfect Valentine's Day dessert, but do yourself a favor and line the bottom of your oven with extra foil in case the cake goes all Mt. Vesuvius on you while it's still in the oven (and even if it does erupt and makes a burned on chocolate mess, it's still worth the effort)!

Chocolate Lava Cake

1 cup flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 3/4 cups hottest tap water
 
Mix flour, granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, the baking powder and salt in ungreased square pan, 9x9x2 inches. Mix in milk, oil and vanilla with fork until smooth. Spread in pan.

Sprinkle brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa over batter. Pour water over batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until top is dry.

Let stand for at least 15 minutes and spoon warm cake into dessert dishes. Top with ice cream, if desired. Spoon sauce from pan onto each serving.