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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Recipes / Dessert

Molten Lava Cakes

Published: Feb 12, 2014 · Modified: Aug 25, 2022 by Anna 25 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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Molten Lava Cakes - soft and rich cakes with gooey fudgy center. A classic and most impressive indulgent dessert!

If you need a dessert for a special occasion, you need to try my Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake or my Chocolate Mousse for Two.

Side shot of heart-shaped molten lava cake with gooey center on plate.

MOLTEN CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKES

Special occasions call for special desserts. Of course, chocolate has to be involved.  This time, I went for a baked dessert. These Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes are quite easy to make. I am sharing a simple trick that will ensure they just pop right out of the baking ramekin. If you follow the instructions, your lava cakes will be fluffy on the outside and gooey in the center. Just like it should be.

How to make Lava Cakes?

  • Start with making the coating mixture. Whisk melted butter with cocoa powder, then coat the ramekins well. Set them on a baking sheet.
  • In a medium bowl, place chocolate and top with butter. Microwave in 10-second intervals, until the butter is melted and covers the chocolate. Let sit. Do not stir.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, beat egg, yolk, sugar and salt until pale and thick, about 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk the chocolate until smooth.

Overhead shot of heart shaped ramekins coated with cocoa mixture and set on baking sheet.

  • Quickly add chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, add flour and fold everything together with a rubber spatula. Divide equally among the ramekins. Bake cakes for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 1 minute.
  • Cover each ramekin with a plate you will be serving it on. Let stand 1 minute. Flip the plate and keeping the ramekin upside down on the plate, let stand 1 minute. Tap gently and pull the ramekin out.
  • Serve immediately garnished with whipped cream or dusted with powdered sugar.

Chocolate cake batter in ramekins

  • Once you have the batter ready, divide it equally among the ramekins and set them on a baking sheet for stability.
  • Bake for 12 minutes. They will come out slightly puffed up but will start falling as soon as they are out of the oven. Just like souffle.

Overhead shot of lava cakes in ramekin on plate.

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How to remove Lava Cakes from ramekins?

Place a plate on top of the ramekin. Flip it upside down. Gently remove the ramekin. It should be easy thanks to coating it previously with cocoa and butter mixture. After you flip them onto a plate, you will see the center is soft and gooey. Then you know you are in for a real treat!

Brake a little piece off and the chocolate lava will pour out slowly, leaving you speechless. In fact, there are no words needed when this dessert is served. Only a spoon.

MORE CHOCOLATE DESSERTS:

Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake

Chocolate Mousse For Two

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

 

Note: Please, read the whole recipe first before making the cakes.

Molten Lava Cakes

Molten Lava Cakes

Author: Anna
Molten Lava Cakes - a classic and one of the most indulgent desserts. This recipe makes two servings but can easily be doubled.
5 from 13 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Total Time 32 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings
Calories 650 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

for the cakes:

  • 4 tablespoon unsalted butter cut up
  • 3 oz . semi-sweet chocolate I used Hershey's Special Dark
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 3 tablespoon granulated sugar white
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

for greasing the pans:

  • 1 tablespoon butter melted, cooled
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Instructions
 

  • In a small measuring cup or a ramekin, mix melted butter. Coat two 8oz. ramekins with the mixture.
  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  • In a medium bowl, place chocolate and top with butter. Microwave in 10 second intervals, until the butter is melted and covers the chocolate.
  • Let sit. Do not stir.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, beat egg, yolk, sugar and salt until pale and thick, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Whisk the chocolate until smooth.
  • Quickly add chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, add flour and fold everything together with a rubber spatula.
  • Divide equally among the ramekins.
  • Place ramekin onto a baking sheet.
  • Bake cakes for 12 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and let stand 1 minute.
  • Cover each ramekins with a plate you will be serving it on. Let stand 1 minute.
  • Flip the plate and keeping the ramekin upside down on the plate, let stand 1 minutes. Tap gently and pull the ramekin out.
  • Serve immediately garnished with whipped cream or dusted with powdered sugar.

Notes

You can double the recipe and make the cakes in four 6oz. ramekins.
Recipe source: Food and Wine

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 258mg | Sodium: 94mg | Potassium: 312mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 1135IU | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 3.9mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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Comments

    5 from 13 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Lexi says

    August 30, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    Should you double the recipe to make it in a bundt cake pan?

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      August 31, 2014 at 10:03 pm

      Hi Lexi! I've never made it in a bundt pan so I can't say how it will affect it. You can make it in ramekins!

      Reply
  2. onmyyellowplate.wordpress.com says

    March 03, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    5 stars
    Made this last night when I was craving something indulgent without too much mess. It turned out perfect and just blew my mind how simple it is. Serving size is just perfect, an indulgence for two. Sweet! Thanks heaps!

    Reply
  3. Emily @ Life on Food says

    February 16, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    5 stars
    Love this! So cute in the little red hearts. Even though Valentine's Day is over I would will still share the love with these babies.

    Reply
  4. Nancy says

    February 15, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    5 stars
    I love the adorable heart shaped ramekins, Anna! Your lava cakes are pure perfection. I'm dying over that molten, liquid middle!

    Reply
  5. Erin says

    February 15, 2014 at 11:40 am

    5 stars
    Awww! Heart-shaped cakes! I love it. 🙂 And they look like they have the perfect ooziness!

    We got hamburgers at lunchtime when it was totally empty and watched movies at home after that. It was great! 😀

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth says

    February 14, 2014 at 12:20 am

    5 stars
    These look fabulous! I cannot wait to try them!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      February 14, 2014 at 11:11 am

      Thank you, Elizabeth!

      Reply
  7. Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says

    February 13, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    5 stars
    These are molten lava perfection!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      February 14, 2014 at 11:11 am

      Thanks, Amanda!

      Reply
  8. Georgia says

    February 13, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    5 stars
    Without a doubt, the dessert of my dreams. I love that yours are so easy, Anna! With raspberries and whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, pure heaven!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      February 14, 2014 at 11:11 am

      Thank you, Georgia!

      Reply
  9. Kate@Diethood says

    February 13, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    5 stars
    These are so perfect for Valentine’s Day! In as far as celebrating it, well...the hubby has to work! Blah! And the little ones and I are going to eat all the chocolate. 😀

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      February 14, 2014 at 11:11 am

      lol Thanks, Kate!

      Reply
  10. Jessica says

    February 13, 2014 at 7:36 am

    5 stars
    These look fantastic, Anna! I love molten lava cakes and how cute are they made in those heart shaped Le Creusets!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      February 14, 2014 at 11:10 am

      Thank you, Jessica! I couldn't help myself. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Sylvie Shirazi says

    February 13, 2014 at 5:53 am

    5 stars
    A cozy evening at home with a nice chocolate dessert sounds pretty perfect to me!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      February 14, 2014 at 11:10 am

      Thanks, Sylvie!

      Reply
      • Nat says

        November 18, 2019 at 12:11 am

        Hi, Anna!! Luv your heart-shaped molten lava cakes!! The oven, has to be preheated? And the baking temperature, 375F, right? Thanks for sharing!! 😀

  12. Lily says

    February 13, 2014 at 12:23 am

    5 stars
    Love the cocoa tip. I've dusted flour off my chocolate cakes way too many times! I honestly think the sight of lava cakes being split open is one of the best visuals in the dessert world. Have a great Valentine's Day!

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      February 14, 2014 at 11:09 am

      It is really life-changing for a baker! I love it! Thank you, Lily!

      Reply
  13. wearenotmartha says

    February 12, 2014 at 11:52 pm

    5 stars
    These are beautiful!! We're going out to dinner tomorrow and sticking at home on Friday 🙂

    Sues

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      February 14, 2014 at 11:09 am

      Thanks, Sues!

      Reply
  14. Mark Behee says

    February 12, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    5 stars
    We eat this out a lot and have always wanted to try it. Dusting with cocoa is a great tip. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      February 14, 2014 at 11:08 am

      Thank you, Mark!

      Reply
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