This Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe is decadent, indulgent, and guaranteed to impress! With rich chocolate cake surrounding a warm, gooey molten center, this restaurant-style dessert is surprisingly easy to make at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Chocolate Lovers’ Favorite: Between the fudgy cake and gooey chocolate center, every bite of this lava cake is packed with intense chocolate flavor.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Individual portions make these lava cakes ideal for date nights, dinner parties, or special occasions.
- Restaurant-Quality: This chocolate molten lava cakes recipe resembles the popular restaurant dessert, but tastes just as good (if not better) and is simple enough to make in your own kitchen.
For more restaurant-style desserts, try our chocolate creme brulee and our caramel apple crisp next.
Ingredients
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Helps create a rich, silky molten chocolate filling.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Needed for both the lava filling and cake batter.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps keep the cake moist and tender. I recommend using unsalted butter since we are using additional salt.
- Sugar: For sweetening the cake batter.
- Eggs: Both eggs and egg yolks work as a binder and ensure the cakes have a rich and fudgy texture.
- Flavor Enhancers: Both vanilla extract and salt enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Flour: Provides structure for the cakes so they hold together while the centers stay molten.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Chocolate Lava Cake Variations
- Extra Chocolatey: Use dark chocolate chips instead of the semi-sweet ones to give this lava molten cake recipe a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Add Espresso: Stir about a teaspoon or two of espresso powder into the cake mix for a hint of coffee flavor and to further enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Change the Flavor: Add a drop of peppermint, orange, or almond extract to the filling for a fun twist on this molten lava cake recipe.
How to Make Lava Cakes
Get started making this easy chocolate lava cake recipe by preheating your oven to 375°F and greasing your ramekins.
- Step 1: Make the filling. Add the cream to a saucepan and heat to a simmer. Remove from the heat, then add the chocolate chips and butter. Allow the mixture to stand for 5 minutes, then mix until it is smooth and shiny.
- Step 2: Freeze the filling. Pour the chocolate filling mixture into a heatproof container and freeze for 15-20 minutes.
- Step 3: Start the cake batter. Add the butter and chocolate chips to a saucepan.
- Step 4: Whisk the chocolate and butter. Heat the chocolate and butter mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and shiny. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Step 5: Combine eggs and sugar. Add the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar to a bowl and beat together using a hand or stand mixer.
- Step 6: Add remaining ingredients. Mix in the flour, salt, vanilla, and the heated chocolate.
- Step 7: Fill the ramekins. Add cake batter to the bottom of each ramekin. Take the filling out of the freezer and roll it into four evenly sized balls. Place each ball on top of the batter, then cover the filling with the remaining cake batter.
- Step 8: Bake and serve. Bake for 20-22 minutes, then let the cakes cool for 10 minutes. Use a knife to carefully invert the cakes onto serving plates. Enjoy them as is or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream.
Expert Tips
- Use high-quality chocolate: Since chocolate is the star of both the cake and the filling, using a good-quality brand of chocolate will make a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Grease the ramekins well: Be sure to generously butter or spray the ramekins to prevent sticking and the delicate cakes from falling apart when inverting them onto serving plates.
- Store in an airtight container: Allow the lava cakes to cool, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
- Top your molten chocolate cake with salted caramel sauce for a sweet-salty combination.
- Serve them as part of a fun dessert spread with other restaurant-style treats like this pizza cookie, then top them both with ice cream.
- Make a batch of the raspberry sauce or white chocolate sauce from our white chocolate raspberry cheesecake to drizzle over the top.
- Enjoy a lava cake with a cold glass of milk or this delicious milk steamer if you prefer a hot drink.
Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe FAQs
Can I make molten lava cake ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the batter and fill the ramekins ahead of time, then cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Add an extra minute or two to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
Why don’t my chocolate lava cakes have a molten center?
Overbaking the cakes can cause the centers to cook through and solidify. For the best molten center, take the cakes out of the oven when the edges are set but the centers still have a slight jiggle.
More Decadent Chocolate Desserts
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Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
This Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe is made with rich chocolate cake and a warm, gooey molten center for the ultimate decadent dessert! It’s a restaurant favorite that’s easy enough for home bakers, yet impressive enough for special occasions.
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Rate
Servings: 4 cakes
Calories: 842kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
Lava Filling
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- ⅝ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- ½ tablespoon butter
Chocolate Cake
- ¾ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 whole eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup flour
Topping Ideas
- ice cream
- chocolate syrup
- whipped cream
- berries
Instructions
Lava Filling
- In a small saucepan, heat whipping cream until it simmers. Remove from heat.
- Add chocolate chips and butter to a hot cream. Let it stand for 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth and shiny. Transfer to a heatproof bowl and place in the freezer while you prepare the cake. About 15-20 minutes.
Chocolate Cake
- Prep: Preheat oven to 375. Generously butter or spray non stick spray on 4 ramekins.
- In a small saucepan, combine the butter and chocolate chips. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
- When shiny and smooth, remove from heat and allow to slightly cool.
- Using a hand or stand mixer, combine eggs, egg yolks, and sugar. Beat for 5 minutes. Mixture will be pale.
- Add in chocolate, flour, salt, and vanilla. Mix until completely combined.
- Spoon enough batter into each ramekin so that it measures about an inch deep. Remove filling from freezer. It should be a fudgy consistency. Divide into 4, and with clean hands, roll quickly into balls. Place on top of batter. Spoon remaining batter over top of the filling balls.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes until edges and top are firm, but center can still be jiggled. Remove from oven and allow to cool 10 minutes.
- Run a knife around the edges of cake to release from ramekin. Invert cakes onto serving plates. Top with ice cream, chocolate sauce, or other desired toppings.
Notes
- Because chocolate is the main flavor in both the cake and molten center, using a high-quality brand will give you the best-tasting results.
- To make these ahead of time, assemble the cakes in the ramekins, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Plan to add an extra minute or two to the bake time.
- Lava cakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 842kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 58g | Saturated Fat: 34g | Cholesterol: 268mg | Sodium: 408mg | Potassium: 418mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 1250IU | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 5.3mg
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Laura says
The result was amazing! Honestly the best chocolate fondants I’ve ever made. Just keep your head in the game as it doesn’t actually tell you to combine the egg mixture with the chocolate mixture.
Adam Howard says
Recipe has an error on step 5, should state that you mix the sugar/egg mixture with the butter/chocolate mixture as well.
Kadee says
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll fix it up.
Julia says
Looks amazing! What size ramekins do you use here?
Kadee says
These are 4 inch
Tayler perez says
To prepare ahead Do you assemble them completely and put in fridge or do you keep everything separate, assemble and bake when ready?
Kadee says
Assemble completely.
Melissa says
If I want to make this a mint chocolate cake would you add mint extract to the recipe or mint chocolate chips?
Kadee says
I would recommend adding mint extract to the recipe. 1 tsp should do the trick!
Melissa says
This recipe looks awesome!!!
rig says
The lava cakes delicious!
Brittany says
These lava cakes look amazing! Will definitely be trying this recipe!
Nicole Huckins says
A covered casserole dish.
Alex kent says
Looks delish!
Madison says
This recipe was a great secret Santa gift!
Anel says
I would love the entertaining set in Cools color!
Katie says
These taste amazing!
Megan J says
I am in need of a square casserole! Preferably in the cobalt blue
carol clark says
egg plate/tray cobalt blue
carol clark says
Strawberry Coconut Cake
Sammy Murry says
I love love LOVE these chocolate lava cakes!
Christopher Sorel says
like the mixing bowl with lid (2034)
Christy says
That looks amazing!
AJ says
Your recipes are seriously amazing. I'm trying to think of a reason to make these right now. And fiesta ware is so nice, I'd love anything from their collection.
Kaitlin says
I love their teapots!
denise says
https://www.fiestafactorydirect.com/p-848-baking-bowls-scarlet-3-piece-set-967.aspx?pid=184
Marsha A says
Fiesta has a lot of great products I want. I totally need some ramekins and these are perfect. That knife isn't so bad either. LOL.
Michelle Gunnell says
I would love anything in sunflower or turquoise - so pretty!
Karen D says
I'd like their deep dish pie baker in ivory
May Huang says
fiesta whoo owl plates and cups
Marlee Myers says
Looks delicious! Will be making ASAP!
Emily Rogers says
Oh man this is amazingly delicious!!
Bing says
The 12 Days Of Christmas collection looks so nice.
cyndi br says
I like the dinner plate fall fantasy.
kayleigh larkins says
I love the fiesta Christmas tree collection
Larissa Creighton says
I LOVE the Rectangular Baker in ivory color! Thank you so much for this opportunity!
Jaime Young says
Love the website the food looks oh so delicious!
Sarah Osborne says
I like the scarlet covered casserole dish. :)
Holly B says
I would also like the Fiesta Square Mugs in Lemongrass.
Liz brown says
What an amazing giveaway!!
Stefanie H. says
I'd love the Large Covered Casserole dish!
Brienne says
My best friend is so in love with Festa... She is buying her first house and her kitchen is going to be all Fiestaware she already has a lot but I would love to add to it with the these four dishes that I know she does not have
Jen K says
I love everything Fiesta! Hoping to add some Gusto bowls to my collection soon.
Sandy Rees says
I have had my eye on the large covered casserole for awhile now. Thanks for the chance to win the ramekins. I really enjoy my Fiestaware
Mary in Ohio says
Love lava cake. Going to try this weekend
Laura H. says
This looks delicious! Can't beat a good lava cake :)
Alarie says
Delish!
Reese says
Anything in lemongrass. I'm a sucker for the canisters and the egg plate/tray. Now I want some deviled eggs!
Reese says
Anything in lemongrass. I'm a sucker for the canisters and the egg plate/tray. Now I want some deviled eggs!
Sindy Murray says
I like the extra large covered butter black. The chocolate lava cakes look delicious
melanie huttner says
This looks absolutely amazing, I'm going to make it this weekend!!
Kaylee says
The baking bowl set or the fruit bowl would be wonderful!
Michelle R says
I would love the Large Bistro Bowl in white! https://www.fiestafactorydirect.com/p-2788-bistro-bowl-large-white-1459.aspx?pid=206
Desarae says
This has been my very favorite!!
Janene says
Delicious recipe!!!! Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie B Whipple says
These look perfect for our holiday parties!
Sarah says
I'd love the 3 piece turquoise baking bowl set!
Thanks for all the fun ❤️
Bonnie says
Nothing better than chocolate lava cake!!
Victoria says
I love their white square three piece place setting, the medium heart bowl, and their trivet! My mom had nothing but Fiesta when I grew up, so it's been a part of my life for as long as I can remember!
Alisha B says
I'd love in of their 3 tier servers in scarlet.
Mariaelena says
I love the slate collection!
Julie V says
I would love the Fiesta Lady cookie jar!
Annette says
This recipe looks divine!
From Fiesta I'd love to have the Baking Bowls Scarlet 3 Piece Set (967).
Carla S says
I like the fiesta whoo owl plates and cups.