Decadent Chocolate Lava Cakes (Printable)
Rich chocolate cakes with molten centers, ideal for elegant desserts and celebrations.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chocolate & Dairy
01 - 4 oz high-quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
02 - ½ cup unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
→ Dry Ingredients
03 - ½ cup granulated sugar
04 - ¼ cup all-purpose flour
05 - Pinch of salt
→ Eggs
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 large egg yolks
→ Optional Garnishes
08 - Powdered sugar, for dusting
09 - Fresh berries or vanilla ice cream, to serve
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter four 6 oz ramekins thoroughly and dust lightly with flour or cocoa powder, tapping out excess.
02 - In a heatproof bowl over simmering water, melt chocolate and butter together, stirring until smooth, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
03 - Whisk whole eggs, egg yolks, and granulated sugar in a medium bowl until mixture is pale and thick, about 1 to 2 minutes.
04 - Gently fold melted chocolate mixture into the egg and sugar blend until well incorporated.
05 - Sift in flour and salt, folding carefully until just combined to preserve airiness.
06 - Divide batter evenly among prepared ramekins.
07 - Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake 11 to 13 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
08 - Remove from oven, cool for 1 minute, run a knife around edges, invert onto plates, dust with powdered sugar, and serve immediately with berries or ice cream if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It feels like a secret indulgence you're happily sharing with a close friend.
- The rich molten center becomes this little magic moment that always draws compliments.
02 -
- Do not overbake these—you want edges firm and center soft; timing is everything here.
- Adding a touch of espresso powder deepens the chocolate flavor in a way that changes the whole experience.
03 -
- Warm the ramekins on the stove top briefly if baking from cold batter for more consistent results.
- The balance between baking time and temperature is the secret—too hot or too long and you lose that lava effect.