Description

Decadent Chocolate Lava Cakes featuring a rich, gooey molten center surrounded by a tender chocolate cake exterior. Perfect for impressing guests or indulging in a luxurious dessert at home, these individual cakes bake quickly and are served warm for that irresistible molten chocolate experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Mixture

115g semi-sweet chocolate
85g unsalted butter

Batter

120g powdered sugar
2 large eggs
2 egg yolks
30g all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch salt

For Preparation

Butter (for greasing ramekins)
Cocoa powder (for dusting ramekins)

Instructions

Prepare ramekins: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and generously butter 4 ramekins or muffin cups. Lightly dust them with cocoa powder to prevent sticking and enhance the chocolate flavor.
Melt chocolate and butter: In a heatproof bowl set over a double boiler or using the microwave in 30-second intervals, melt the semi-sweet chocolate and unsalted butter together. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Add sugar and eggs: Whisk the powdered sugar into the melted chocolate mixture until fully blended. Then, add the 2 whole eggs and 2 egg yolks one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth batter.
Incorporate vanilla, salt, and flour: Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Gently fold in the all-purpose flour just until combined, careful not to overmix to preserve the cake’s delicate texture.
Fill ramekins: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins placed on a baking sheet for easy handling.
Bake and serve: Bake the cakes in the preheated oven for 11 to 13 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft and slightly jiggly. The tops should be puffed. Let them rest for 1 minute before carefully inverting onto plates. Serve immediately to enjoy the molten centers.

Notes

For best results, serve the lava cakes immediately while still warm to enjoy the gooey center.
You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate with dark chocolate for a more intense flavor.
Use fresh eggs at room temperature to achieve a smooth batter and even baking.
If you don’t have ramekins, use muffin tins but be cautious with baking time as it may vary.
Dusting the ramekins with cocoa powder instead of flour prevents any white residue on the cake’s surface.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cake (approx. 100g)
Calories: 390 kcal
Sugar: 30 g
Sodium: 60 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0.2 g
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 140 mg

Keywords: Chocolate Lava Cakes, Molten Chocolate Cake, Individual Chocolate Cakes, Easy Chocolate Dessert, Gooey Chocolate Cake