Description
This Molten Lava Cake recipe delivers a rich, decadent dessert with a perfectly gooey chocolate center. Perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself, these individual cakes bake up quickly and can be served with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce for an indulgent finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Cake
- 1 cup unsalted butter (plus 1 tablespoon softened butter for greasing)
- 8 ounces baking chocolate, chopped
- 4 large eggs
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (plus extra for dusting)
Optional Garnishes
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla ice cream
- Chocolate sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Ramekins: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Generously grease six 4-ounce ramekins with softened butter and dust them with cocoa powder to prevent sticking. Set them aside.
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chopped baking chocolate together in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
- Whisk Eggs and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 4 eggs, 4 egg yolks, and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until the mixture turns pale and fluffy, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir the melted chocolate mixture along with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon salt into the egg mixture until fully combined.
- Fold in Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 2 tablespoons cocoa powder until just combined, ensuring not to overmix.
- Fill Ramekins: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins, filling each about three-quarters full. Arrange the ramekins on a baking sheet.
- Bake the Cakes: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft and molten.
- Cool and Unmold: Allow the cakes to cool in the ramekins for 1 minute. Then place a small plate over each ramekin and carefully invert to release the cake. Let the cakes sit briefly before lifting off the ramekins.
- Serve: Serve each molten lava cake warm, optionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce, and dusted with powdered sugar. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Be careful not to overbake to maintain the molten center.
- If you don’t have ramekins, use any small oven-safe dishes of similar size.
- Use good quality baking chocolate for the best flavor.
- For easier removal, you can also run a knife around the edge of the ramekins before inverting.
- These cakes are best served immediately but can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.
