Chocolate cake on the outside, decadent molten chocolate on the inside, these Easy Chocolate Lava Cake Deceptively easy to make! Enjoy topped with vanilla ice cream for a no-fuss dessert that's sure to impress.
Why You'll Love This Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
- Impress your guests! Elegant and decadent, chocolate lava cake is usually reserved for ordering in restaurants. Your guests will love enjoying these at your next party!
- Easy to make. This recipe is deceptively easy to make, in just 3 steps! My teens make them themselves and they always come out perfect.
- No mixer required. Another part of the simplicity of this recipe is that you don't have to worry about any special tools! As long as you have ramekins to bake in, you're all set!
- Simple ingredients. You probably have everything in your kitchen right now to make this lava cake recipe!
What is Lava Cake?
First things first, a lava cake is in the name: just as melty, just as smooth, just as bursting with chocolate decadence! In short, it's a single serving dessert that's chocolate cake on the outside, liquid melted chocolate on the inside… basically a crowd pleaser all around (for obvious reasons I guess).
My kids love molten chocolate cake and it's their first choice on a dessert menu. Now that we know how easy this recipe is to make from scratch, they are definitely our first choice for dessert at home!
By definition a molten lava cake falls somewhere between a cake and a souffle. Like a soufflé, I made this easy chocolate lava cake using 6 oz. ramekins They really are the perfect personal serving size and are easiest to turn upside down for quick removal.
Recipe ingredients
The real beauty of chocolate lava cakes is how easy, quick and fuss-free they are to make. A bowl, a microwave, and some oven time. That's it. There are less than 10 ingredients involved, most of which I'll bet you already have in your pantry.
- Chopped Chocolate: For the purposes of this easy chocolate lava cake recipe, be as fancy or original as you like with the chocolate you use. semi sweet Chocolate chip, or finely chopped chocolate will both work. The higher the quality, the more “lava” you'll get from your cake!
- Butter: Unsalted will work just fine.
- Eggs: You will need both whole eggs as well as egg yolks.
- Flour: I use regular all-purpose flour. A flour substitute (like almond flour) will work as long as it is finely ground.
- Confectioner's Sugar: Powdered sugar (not granulated sugar) keeps the melt-like texture smooth and consistent.
- Vanilla: for taste
- Salt: To resist sugar.
How to Make Chocolate Lava Cake
Chocolate Lava Cake is easy to make. Like, 3 steps easy. They're so easy, my kids have learned how to make them themselves- I consider that a huge parenting win. Follow these simple steps to chocolate lava cake heaven:
Prepare your Ramekins: I like to prepare 4 ramekins first with non-stick spray. You can add a light coating of cocoa powder if you have some available.
Melt the chocolate and butter: Combine the chocolate chunks and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 1 minute or until everything is melted. I find it best to do this for 10-15 seconds at a time to avoid overcooking. Be sure to give it a stir every now and then!
Add powdered sugar: Next, add powdered sugar to your melted chocolate mixture and continue mixing until smooth. This is when my kids always insist on licking the spoon! Can't blame them for taste-testing, I suppose.
Separate the egg yolks: In a separate bowl, separate 2 egg yolks from the whites and set the whites aside. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty if you struggle to separate the yolk from the white using the classic method of going through the shell! Crack the eggs in your hands over a bowl and let the whites drip until the yolks remain. Save your whites to use in a quick omelette later.
Combine remaining ingredients: Add the salt, vanilla, eggs, separated egg yolks and flour to your chocolate mixture and stir until everything is thoroughly combined. Carefully divide the batter between your ramekins using a spoon or spatula.
Bake: Place your ramekins in the oven and bake until the edges are set, but the centers are still soft.
Remove from Ramekins: Let the cakes cool for a few minutes before inverting. It can also be helpful to carefully run a knife around to loosen them for serving! To serve, place one plate face-down on top of one ramekin at a time. Press down and flip the lava cake right-side-up on the plate before carefully removing the ramekin.
After all the chocolate lava cakes are inverted onto individual plates, give them an extra dusting of powdered sugar for some pizzazz! I recommend garnishing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream… then, dig in!
Tips for success
Chocolate Lava Cake is served hot. This is what gives them that delicious molten chocolate texture! All this to say, don't wait too long after baking or reheating (whichever you prefer). While we're at it, here are some additional tips for success:
- Quality is King: Although I've found that you can use regular ol' chocolate chips in a pinch (I'm not a chocolate snob!), it's worth using a high-quality baking chocolate for very good, lava-like results.
- Check the temperature: 12-14 minutes in the oven should be enough time for a lava cake egg to reach a temperature considered safe to eat (160°F). If you're worried about your eggs being cooked enough, take the temperature of the cake to be sure!
- Use the “spoon and sweep” method: Use a spoon to fill your measuring cup with flour instead of scooping directly into the bag. That way you don't pack the dough and use more than needed.
Serving advice
I could say that the toppings are optional, but I'd be lying. Your favorite ice cream and chocolate sauce are a good place to start. That being said, there are a number of options that are great with Lava Cake:
- Whipped cream
- Nut butter
- Chocolate is counting
- Caramel sauce
- Crushed pecans or hazelnuts
- sprinkles
- Berry coulis
Can I reheat a molten lava cake?
Leftover lava cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Pop them in the microwave for about 20 seconds to reheat before serving.
More chocolate desserts to try
There is something so luxurious about chocolate desserts! If you're like me and can't get enough, here are more recipes to satisfy those chocolate cravings:
description
Chocolate Lava Cake is easy to make and always delicious! Perfect for impressing guests or your sweetheart on Valentine's Day!
- 1/2 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped chocolate
- 1/2 cup Butter, cubed
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 2 Whole eggs, plus 2 egg yolks
- 1/3 cup All purpose flour
- Optional garnishes: whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Coat 4 ramekins/custard cups with nonstick spray. Place on a baking sheet and set aside.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and butter together over high heat for 1 minute. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
- Beat in the powdered sugar and salt until combined and then add the eggs, yolks and vanilla extract, beating until smooth.
- Stir the batter until combined and divide the batter evenly between the prepared ramekins.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are set, but the centers are still soft.
- Let the lava cakes cool for 3-4 minutes and then run a knife along the edges to loosen. Using an oven mitt, invert the cups onto small, individual serving plates.
- Dust with powdered sugar and top with desired garnishes.
Comment
Better to eat immediately.
Keywords: Lava Cake Recipes, Chocolate Lava Cakes, Unique Chocolate Cakes, Cake Recipes
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