Best Molten Lava Cake Recipe

Molten lava cake is the ultimate dessert for chocolate lovers. With a rich, warm, and gooey center that flows out as you cut into it, this dessert is the perfect combination of indulgent cake and molten chocolate. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, celebrating a special occasion, or simply craving a decadent treat, molten lava cakes will always impress. These cakes are surprisingly easy to make and can be whipped up in just 30 minutes, making them the ideal choice for a last-minute dessert that feels like a luxury.

Molten lava cakes are the epitome of indulgence. Their warm, gooey chocolate center is what sets them apart from traditional cakes. With a soft, cake-like exterior and a rich, fudgy interior, molten lava cakes offer the perfect balance of textures. Each bite is a perfect combination of tender cake and the luxurious molten center that oozes out when you break into it.

What makes this recipe the best molten lava cake recipe is its simplicity and rich flavor. Using only a handful of ingredients, including high-quality chocolate, butter, and eggs, this recipe delivers a restaurant-quality dessert you can make at home. This dessert is perfect for any celebration or as a sweet treat after a special meal. Once you serve these warm, gooey cakes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, you’ll have a dessert that everyone will rave about.

When you try this best molten lava cake recipe, you’ll be greeted with a rich and fudgy chocolate cake that has a warm, flowing center. The balance of cake and molten chocolate is perfect, and when paired with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, the dessert becomes even more irresistible. You can look forward to the excitement of cutting into the cake and watching the chocolate center flow out, making each bite a decadent treat. This recipe offers a wonderful dessert experience that will leave you and your guests in awe.

Tools to Use

To make molten lava cakes, you’ll need:

Ramekins: Individual baking dishes for each lava cake. These should be well-greased to ensure the cakes come out easily.
Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler: For melting the chocolate and butter.
Mixing bowls: To combine the ingredients.
Electric mixer or hand whisk: To mix the batter until smooth.
Small spoon: For scooping and filling the ramekins with batter.
Knife: To test the cakes and ensure the molten center is perfect.

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Ingredients

For the Lava Cake:

6 oz semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate (about 1 cup chopped)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (about 2.5 oz)

For Serving:

Vanilla ice cream (optional)
Whipped cream (optional)
Fresh berries (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Ramekins

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease four 6-ounce ramekins with butter and lightly dust with cocoa powder or flour, tapping out the excess. This ensures the cakes come out easily after baking.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate and Butter

In a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter together. If using a microwave, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each until fully melted and smooth. If using a double boiler, melt the ingredients over simmering water while stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Prepare the Batter

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat the mixture until it’s smooth and slightly thickened.
Gradually pour in the melted chocolate mixture and stir until fully combined.
Sift the flour over the batter and gently fold it in until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 4: Fill the Ramekins

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins, filling each about 2/3 of the way full. If desired, you can place a small piece of chocolate in the center of the batter for an extra gooey surprise.

Step 5: Bake the Lava Cakes

Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges of the cakes are set and the center is still slightly jiggly. The cakes should have risen, and the top should look firm with a little crack on top. Be careful not to overbake them, as the molten center is what makes this dessert so special.

Step 6: Serve Immediately

Allow the cakes to cool for about 1 minute before running a knife around the edges to loosen them from the ramekins.
Invert each ramekin onto a plate and carefully lift it off. Serve the cakes warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or fresh berries for garnish.

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Best Molten Lava Cake Recipe

Equipment

Ramekins: Individual baking dishes for each lava cake. These should be well-greased to ensure the cakes come out easily.
Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler: For melting the chocolate and butter.
Mixing bowls: To combine the ingredients.
Electric mixer or hand whisk: To mix the batter until smooth.
Small spoon: For scooping and filling the ramekins with batter.
Knife: To test the cakes and ensure the molten center is perfect.

Ingredients

For the Lava Cake:
6 oz semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate about 1 cup chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour about 2.5 oz
For Serving:
Vanilla ice cream optional
Whipped cream optional
Fresh berries optional, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Ramekins
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease four 6-ounce ramekins with butter and lightly dust with cocoa powder or flour, tapping out the excess. This ensures the cakes come out easily after baking.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate and Butter
In a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter together. If using a microwave, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each until fully melted and smooth. If using a double boiler, melt the ingredients over simmering water while stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool slightly.
Step 3: Prepare the Batter
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat the mixture until it’s smooth and slightly thickened.
Gradually pour in the melted chocolate mixture and stir until fully combined.
Sift the flour over the batter and gently fold it in until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 4: Fill the Ramekins
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins, filling each about 2/3 of the way full. If desired, you can place a small piece of chocolate in the center of the batter for an extra gooey surprise.
Step 5: Bake the Lava Cakes
Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges of the cakes are set and the center is still slightly jiggly. The cakes should have risen, and the top should look firm with a little crack on top. Be careful not to overbake them, as the molten center is what makes this dessert so special.
Step 6: Serve Immediately
Allow the cakes to cool for about 1 minute before running a knife around the edges to loosen them from the ramekins.
Invert each ramekin onto a plate and carefully lift it off. Serve the cakes warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or fresh berries for garnish.

Tips for Cooking

Don’t Overbake: The key to molten lava cakes is underbaking them just enough so that the center remains molten. Keep a close eye on the cakes toward the end of the baking time and check the texture by gently touching the top.
Use High-Quality Chocolate: The flavor of the molten center depends largely on the quality of the chocolate you use. Go for semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate for the best results.
Chill the Cakes for Make-Ahead: If you’re preparing the cakes ahead of time, you can make the batter and refrigerate the filled ramekins for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra minute or two to the baking time if they’re chilled.
Gooey Center Trick: If you want an extra gooey center, you can add a small piece of chocolate to the center of each ramekin before baking. The added chocolate will melt and give you an even more decadent lava flow.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

Molten lava cakes are a must-try for any chocolate lover. The combination of rich, gooey chocolate and light cake makes this dessert unforgettable. It’s surprisingly easy to make, and the results are nothing short of amazing. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just treating yourself, this molten lava cake recipe is the perfect indulgence. With minimal ingredients and quick prep time, you can create a restaurant-worthy dessert in the comfort of your own home.

We hope you enjoy making and indulging in this best molten lava cake recipe! With its rich, fudgy center and delicate, cake-like exterior, it’s a dessert that’s sure to impress. Whether you serve it with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or berries, molten lava cakes are the perfect indulgence for any occasion. Happy baking, and enjoy the deliciously gooey results!