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    Home » Recipes » Cake

    Published: May 25, 2021 · Modified: Sep 6, 2023 by Ellie Haley · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe is a soft chocolate cake with a warm chocolate center. They are made with five simple ingredients and can be ready to eat in less than 25 minutes! They are a great easy, quick, and satisfying dessert.

    a lava cake in a ramekin with two other ramekins behind it.

    The love of Chocolate Lava Cake is universal, right? Like, there cannot be a language where a soft chocolate cake filled with warm chocolate doesn't sound delicious. Top it with vanilla ice cream, or any kind of ice cream for that matter (my No-Churn Cookie Dough Ice Cream Recipe would be a great option!), and it's a no-brainer.

    You no longer have to make a trip to Chili's or Applebees for a molten chocolate lava cake. These babies are just as delicious and so easy to make at home!

    If you're looking for more delicious and simple chocolate recipes check out these Chocolate Pots de Crème, S'mores Donuts, or Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQ's
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • This Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe requires simple ingredients. You only need five ingredients and I would be willing to bet that you have all of them in your kitchen already! My Fudgy Brownies are made with a few more but just as simple ingredients!
    • You don't need a mixer. Unlike other recipes, this one is easily made by hand.
    • There isn't a long baking time, so no waiting around for these delicious molten cakes!
    • These cakes have a perfectly rich, chocolatey flavor. You can find more chocolatey flavor in my Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe.
    • They have a warm, gooey center that is irresistible. The same with my Chocolate Filled Cookies!

    Ingredients

    all of the ingredients laid out and labeled on a grey background.

    Ingredient Notes

    • I always make sure to use unsalted butter when baking because there is no “standard” for the amount of salt they can add to butter. So if you add salt to a recipe and then use salted butter you could end up with a very salty end product.
    • I prefer semi-sweet chocolate, but you can use whatever you prefer. 
    • It will be easier to incorporate the eggs into the batter if they are at room temperature.

    See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • The flour can be left out to make the chocolate lava cake gluten-free. It will affect the texture of the cakes, but they will taste the same.
    • Add peanut butter to the center to make Peanut Butter Chocolate Lava Cakes.
    • Drizzle caramel over the top to add sweetness to the Chocolate Lava Cakes Recipe.
    • You can make one large lava cake in a large ramekin or small baking dish. The baking time will be longer.

    This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F). Prepare 4 small ramekins by spraying them with non-stick spray. Then pour a couple of spoonfuls of granulated sugar into one of the ramekins and spin around until the bottom and sides are coated. Pour the remaining sugar into the next ramekin and continue until all 4 are coated. This will make a crunchy sugar crust on the outside of the Chocolate Lava Cakes Recipe.

    the butter and chocolate melted together in a small stainless steel saucepan on a grey background.

    STEP 2: In a small saucepan combine the chocolate and butter. Place over low heat until melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

    the eggs and sugar combined in a glass bowl on a grey background.

    STEP 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar until the mixture is slightly thickened.

    the completed lava cake batter in a glass bowl on a grey background.

    STEP 4: Add the cooled chocolate mixture and whisk until thickened. Add flour and mix until combined.

    Four unbaked chocolate lava cakes in white ramekins on a grey background.

    STEP 5: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared ramekins. Place the ramekins on a cookie sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes or until the outside is set and just the very center is jiggly.

    STEP 6: Remove from oven and turn the ramekins over onto a plate. The easiest way to do this is to place a ramekin on a potholder in your hand, flip a plate over on top of it and then turn the whole thing over. You might have to lightly shake the ramekin in order to get the cake out.

    Expert Tips

    • Watch the lava cakes closely while they bake. They can go from underbaked to overbaked quickly and you will lose the gooey chocolate center.
    • Use an oven thermometer. Most ovens run either hot or cold. Using an oven thermometer ensures that you are baking your chocolate lava cakes at the perfect temperature.
    • Don’t use cold ingredients. Ensure that all of your cold ingredients are at room temperature before making your cookies. The ingredients will combine much easier.
    • Weigh your ingredients. One of the most common baking mistakes that I see is measuring incorrectly. The best way to get accurate measurements every time is to weigh them with a kitchen scale.

    Recipe FAQ's

    Can I make chocolate lava cake ahead of time?

    You can make them ahead of time and then refrigerate the batter after you divide it into the ramekins and then bake for 15-17 minutes when ready to serve.

    Is the center just unbaked cake?

    Yes and no. While it is liquid at the center and technically unbaked the internal temperature still reaches 160 degrees (F), so it is safe to eat!

    Can I eat lava cake cold?

    You can. I think they taste better warm, but you really can't go wrong with chocolate lava cake!

    What if I don't have ramekins?

    You can use a muffin tin instead of ramekins. Just be aware that the chocolate lava cakes may bake faster because a muffin tin is thinner than a ramekin.

    How can I serve lava cakes?

    There are lots of simple additions you can make to lava cakes when serving to amp up the flavor. You can dust the lava cakes with powdered sugar, top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

    How do I store this chocolate lava cake recipe?

    Room Temperature: The cakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.
    Refrigerator:
    If stored correctly in an airtight container the Chocolate Lava Cake will last up to 1 week in the fridge.
    Freezer
    : I wouldn't recommend storing these in the freezer after baking, but you can freeze the batter in the ramekin. Store the ramekins in an air-tight container and they can stay in the freezer for up to 2 months.

    Can I make these molten lava cakes in a microwave?

    I have never tried this, but I definitely think it could work! I would put the batter into a mug and microwave for 1 and a half minutes, check the cake and then add another minute or 2 accordingly.

    a chocolate lava cake with a spoonful taken out of it.

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    If you tried this Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the  comments below. I so appreciate hearing from you!

    Recipe

    A closeup of a chocolate lava cake with a spoonful taken out of it.

    Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

    Ellie Haley
    This Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe is a soft chocolate cake with a warm chocolate center. They are made with five simple ingredients and can be ready to eat in less than 25 minutes! They are a great easy, quick, and satisfying dessert.
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 13 minutes mins
    Total Time 23 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 lava cakes
    Calories 373 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For Cake:

    • 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter
    • ⅔ cup (113 grams) chocolate
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 egg yolks
    • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon (8 grams) all-purpose flour
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    For Cake:

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Prepare 4 small ramekins by spraying them with non-stick spray. Pour a couple of spoonfuls of granulated sugar in the sprayed ramekin and roll around so that it coats the bottom and sides. This will create a sugar crust on the lava cake.
    • In a small saucepan combine the butter and chocolate. Place over low heat until melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar until slightly thickened. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and whisk until thickened. Add the flour and mix until combined.
    • Divide the batter up evenly between the prepared ramekins. Place the ramekins on a cookie sheet and bake for 11 minutes or until the outside is set and the very center is jiggly.
      Note: you can also refrigerate the batter at this point and then bake for 13 minutes when you are ready to serve.
    • Remove from oven and carefully flip the ramekins over onto a plate.

    Notes

    • The provided nutrition information is an estimate. The calorie accuracy is not guaranteed.
    • Watch the lava cakes closely while they bake. They can go from underbaked to overbaked quickly and you will lose the gooey chocolate center.
    • If you want to make these ahead of time you can place them in the fridge after pouring the batter into the ramekins. Remove when ready to bake and bake for 15-17 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1lava cakeCalories: 373kcalCarbohydrates: 21.2gProtein: 5.6gFat: 30.4gSaturated Fat: 17.4gCholesterol: 259mgSodium: 49mgPotassium: 52mgFiber: 0.7gSugar: 18.8gCalcium: 31mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emilie says

      May 15, 2021 at 3:23 am

      5 stars
      I will never need another chocolate dessert recipe. foolproof and completely insanely delicious!!

      Reply
    2. Niki says

      April 09, 2021 at 4:29 pm

      I love chocolate so I had to try this recipe as soon as I saw it. It seemed so easy to make and it really was.
      I just needed a few simple ingredients but the result is the pure chocolate heaven itself.
      So thank you for the recipe, I love it!

      Reply
    3. Andrea says

      January 26, 2021 at 2:23 pm

      A must try!

      This recipe was iNcredibly easy to make in the moment but also super heLpful You can make it Ahead of time!
      The sugar Coating Of the ramekin was a game changer AS it added texture to the Outside of the cake.

      Reply
    4. GiAda says

      January 17, 2021 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious and easy to follow recIpe!

      Reply
    5 from 17 votes (15 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Ellie!

    I am a classically trained pastry chef with a deep desire to bring delicious and beautiful recipes to the homes of others. I aim to make being in the kitchen approachable instead of intimidating

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    a closeup of a chocolate lava cake with a spoonful taken out of it. It says Chocolate Lava Cakes across the top of the picture

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