Cheeseburger Lava Cakes Molten Cheese (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Beef Mixture

01 - 680 g ground beef (80% lean)
02 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
03 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - Salt, to taste
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese Filling

07 - 120 g shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 120 g shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened

→ For Cooking

10 - 2 tablespoons butter

→ Optional Glaze

11 - BBQ sauce or ketchup, for brushing

# Instructions:

01 - Combine cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese in a small bowl until smooth. Shape mixture into six balls using a few tablespoons each. Freeze the cheese balls for at least 15 minutes to ensure firmness.
02 - Place ground beef in a large bowl and sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix gently by hand until the seasonings are evenly distributed, taking care not to overwork the meat.
03 - Divide beef mixture into six even portions. Flatten each into a thick disk. Place a frozen cheese ball in the center, cover with another disk of beef, and pinch edges tightly to fully enclose the cheese. Repeat for all portions, ensuring a secure seal to prevent leakage.
04 - Preheat oven to 190°C. Melt butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef cakes for 2–3 minutes per side until well browned. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until beef is thoroughly cooked and cheese is molten inside.
05 - Let the cooked patties rest for several minutes. Optionally, brush tops with BBQ sauce or ketchup. Serve warm, slicing to reveal the molten cheese center.

# Notes:

01 - Ensure cheese balls are fully frozen before assembly to maximize the molten center effect.
02 - Seal the edges of each beef cake firmly to keep cheese from leaking during cooking.
03 - Ground turkey or chicken may be substituted; add additional butter or oil for juiciness.
04 - Try alternative cheeses such as pepper jack or Swiss for flavor variations.
05 - Add cooked bacon or Dijon mustard to the filling for extra depth of flavor.
06 - For freshness, mix chopped parsley or chives into the beef.
07 - Leftovers are best reheated gently in the oven or air fryer to preserve the molten texture.
08 - Uncooked cakes can be made ahead and frozen; thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.

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