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+ servings
A molten chocolate lava cake recipe dusted with powdered sugar, topped with whipped cream, strawberry, and mint, with raspberries on the side

Lava Cake Recipe

This rich, gooey chocolate lava cake recipe is foolproof and incredibly impressive. With a molten chocolate center and crisp outer edge, it’s perfect for dinner parties, date nights, or when you just need a chocolate fix fast.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 cakes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, French-inspired
Calories: 390

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Base
  • 4 oz Dark chocolate Roughly chopped
  • ½ cup Unsalted butter Plus extra for greasing ramekins
  • 2 Large eggs Room temperature
  • 2 Egg yolks Room temperature
  • ¼ cup Granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoon All-purpose flour Sifted
  • 1 pinch Salt Optional
For the Ramekins
  • As needed Cocoa powder For dusting ramekins
Optional Add-ins
  • ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract Adds depth
  • ½ teaspoon Espresso powder Enhances chocolate flavor
  • 4 teaspoon Cold butter Hidden in center Grandma’s trick
Toppings
  • As needed Powdered sugar For dusting before serving
  • As desired Heavy cream Or vanilla ice cream
  • Optional Fresh berries Strawberries raspberries, etc.

Equipment

  • 4–6 Ramekins (6 oz) (Greased and dusted with cocoa)
  • 1 Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl (For melting chocolate and butter)
  • 1 Large mixing bowl (For batter)
  • 1 Whisk (To mix eggs and sugar)
  • 1 Rubber Spatula (To fold flour into batter)
  • 1 Sharp knife (To release cakes from ramekins)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter ramekins well and dust with cocoa powder. Tap out the excess.
    Top-down view of lava cake ingredients including eggs, cocoa powder, flour, and melted chocolate in small bowls on a wooden board.
  2. Chop and melt chocolate with butter using a double boiler or microwave. Stir until smooth and let cool slightly.
    Chunks of dark and white chocolate melting with butter in a saucepan, stirred with a wooden spoon.
  3. Whisk eggs, yolks, and sugar until pale. Mix in melted chocolate, then fold in flour and salt.
    Bowl of chocolate cake batter being mixed with flour and a raw egg using a whisk.
  4. Divide batter into ramekins (¾ full). Bake 12–14 minutes until edges are set and centers slightly jiggle.
    Freshly baked lava cakes in colorful ramekins cooling on a wire rack.
  5. Let sit 1 minute. Run a knife around edges, invert onto plates, dust with powdered sugar, and serve immediately.
    Molten chocolate lava cake with powdered sugar and a gooey chocolate center spilling out onto the plate.

Nutrition

Serving: 150gCalories: 390kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 6gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 170mgSodium: 60mgPotassium: 220mgFiber: 2gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 800IUCalcium: 40mgIron: 2.2mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!