There’s nothing quite as indulgent as digging into a warm, gooey molten lava cake. The outer layer is soft and rich, while the center oozes a decadent chocolate sauce that is nothing short of magical. Perfect for a date night, a special celebration, or whenever you’re craving a little chocolate comfort, this easy lava cake recipe will satisfy all your sweet tooth desires. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll be able to make these decadent desserts in no time. So, grab your ramekins and let’s get baking!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 6 oz (170g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate (chopped or chips)
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- Butter (for greasing ramekins)
- Cocoa powder (for dusting ramekins)
Optional for serving:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh berries
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Butter and dust with cocoa powder four 6-ounce ramekins. Be sure to coat the ramekins evenly to ensure the cakes don’t stick after baking.
2. Melt the chocolate and butter
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate together. Heat in 20-30 second bursts, stirring in between, until completely smooth and melted. You can also melt them in a double boiler over simmering water if you prefer.
3. Whisk eggs and sugar
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and slightly thickened. This will take about 2 minutes of vigorous whisking by hand or 1-2 minutes with an electric mixer.
4. Combine the mixtures
Slowly pour the melted chocolate and butter mixture into the egg mixture, stirring gently to combine. Add the vanilla extract and stir in the flour and pinch of salt. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
5. Fill the ramekins
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins, filling them about 3/4 full. The batter should be thick and slightly glossy.
6. Bake
Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 12-14 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center will still look soft and slightly jiggly. Be careful not to overbake — the magic of a lava cake is in that molten center!
7. Serve
Allow the cakes to cool for about 1 minute before carefully running a knife around the edges to loosen them. Invert each ramekin onto a plate and serve immediately. For an extra touch, dust with powdered sugar and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh berries.
Tips:
- For a more intense chocolate flavor, you can use bittersweet or dark chocolate.
- If you want a stronger molten center, you can slightly reduce the baking time by 1-2 minutes.
- You can prepare the batter ahead of time and refrigerate it in the ramekins for up to 24 hours. Just add an extra minute or two to the baking time if baking from cold.
Enjoy your rich, gooey molten lava cake!
