Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

4.96 from 21 votes

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.

Prep Time20

Cook Time22

Resting Time10

Total Time52

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: cakes

Calories: 842kcal

Author: Kadee & Desarae

Equipment

hand or stand mixer

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. Fold in the chocolate mixture until completely combined.
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