The Best and The Easiest Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

dark chocolate or bittersweet baking chocolate (I used Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Bar; I prefer bars or baking chocolate to chocolate chips)

unsalted butter (1/2 of 1 stick)

confectioners’ sugar

large egg + 1 egg yolk (discard white or save for another use)

all-purpose flour

instant espresso coffee granules, optional but recommended (doesn’t make cakes taste like coffee and serves to enhance the chocolate flavor)

ice cream for serving, optional but recommended

hot fudge for serving (homemade or storebought), optional but recommended