Chocolate Lava Cakes: A Gooey, Decadent Dessert
These Chocolate Lava Cakes are rich, gooey, and irresistibly indulgent! 🍫✨ With a warm molten chocolate center, they’re the perfect dessert for any occasion. Made with just six simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, these restaurant-quality cakes are easier to make than you think! Serve them with vanilla ice cream, fresh berries, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for the ultimate treat.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Lava Cakes:
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate – Use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor.
- Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and creates a silky texture.
- All-Purpose Flour – A small amount to provide structure.
- Confectioners’ Sugar – Sweetens and helps with the cake’s delicate texture.
- Salt – Enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Eggs + Egg Yolks – The key to the molten center and rich consistency.
Optional Toppings:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh berries strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries
- Chocolate sauce or caramel drizzle
Instructions
Prepare the Ramekins:
- Spray four 6-ounce ramekins with nonstick spray and dust with cocoa powder for easy release.
- If using a muffin pan, grease 6 muffin cups and dust with cocoa powder.
Preheat the Oven:
- Set the oven to 425°F (218°C).
Melt the Chocolate & Butter:
- Chop the semi-sweet chocolate and place it in a heatproof bowl with butter.
- Microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and glossy.
Mix the Dry & Wet Ingredients:
- In one bowl, whisk together flour, confectioners’ sugar, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs and egg yolks until combined.
Combine & Fill:
- Slowly mix the dry ingredients and eggs into the melted chocolate mixture, stirring gently until smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly among the ramekins or muffin cups.
Bake:
- Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 12–14 minutes (or 8–10 minutes in a muffin pan).
- The edges should look firm, but the center should still be soft.
Flip & Serve:
- Let cool for 1 minute, then invert onto plates using oven mitts.
- If using a muffin pan, scoop out the cakes gently and flip them onto plates.
- Top with ice cream, berries, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce and serve immediately!
Notes
- Use High-Quality Chocolate – The better the chocolate, the richer the flavor.
- Don’t Overbake – The key to a gooey center is slightly underbaking.
- Make-Ahead Option – Prepare the batter a few hours ahead and bake when ready!
- Storage Tip – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.