These Showstopping Memorial Day Desserts Will Make You the Star of Your Weekend Celebration

Michele Borboa MS and Kenzie Mastroe
·2 min read

When you think of Memorial Day celebrations, your mind probably wanders to cookout classics like hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, steak, and mountains of potato salad. Essentially, we associate the holiday with pretty much anything grill-related and we’re so barbecue-obsessed that sometimes we overlook dessert — and that, my friends, is a horrible mistake.

There are so many decadent — yet summery — desserts that are perfect for a summer cookout. Show up with one of these, and you’ll be the Memorial Day barbecue all-star.

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Mini chocolate molten cakes recipe

Mini chocolate molten cakes
Image: Carolyn Stalnaker/SheKnows

Mmmmm, warm chocolate sauce oozing out of a tender chocolate cake, served with a cool scoop of premium ice cream — this is the epitome of knee-weakening desserts.

Serves 6

Ingredients:

  • 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened baking chocolate), chopped, divided

  • 2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped

  • 1/3 cup hot water

  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 3 eggs

  • 3 egg yolks

  • 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 3 cups premium vanilla bean ice cream

Directions:

  1. Heat the oven to 450 degrees F, and grease 6 (6-ounce) ramekins.

  2. To make the chocolate sauce, stir together 5 ounces of the bittersweet chocolate and the unsweetened chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water. Stir until the chocolates are melted and smooth.

  3. Whisk in the hot water, corn syrup and vanilla until the mixture is smooth.

  4. Remove from the heat, and set aside to cool while you prepare the cakes.

  5. To make the cake batter, in a medium saucepan over low heat, stir together the remaining 5 ounces of bittersweet chocolate and the butter until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat, and let cool slightly.

  6. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and egg yolks until well blended. Whisk in the sugar and then the chocolate-butter mixture and flour until blended.

  7. Pour the cake batter into the prepared ramekins until they are equally filled.

  8. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet, and bake for 11 – 12 minutes or until the tops and sides of cakes are set. These are slightly underbaked to allow the insides to ooze out.

  9. Run a small knife around the cakes to loosen them from the ramekins. Immediately turn the cakes out onto plates.

  10. To serve, spoon the chocolate sauce around the cakes, and partner each with a scoop of ice cream.

Next up: Black bottom candy bar pie

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