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Molten Lava Cake
February 15, 2021
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This Molten Lava Cake recipe is one of the easiest and most decadent desserts to make at home! Only a few ingredients are needed that you probably already have on hand! If this dessert isn’t your thing, give my perfect chocolate cake a recipe with accompanying frosting. It’s one of my most popular recipes!
What is Lava Cake?
Lava Cake is a mix between a chocolate cake and a soufflé. Originally from France, lava cakes are made from a combination of eggs, chocolate, sugar, butter, and flour. The outside is a dense chocolate cake while the inside is essentially uncooked cake batter brought to temperature so you don’t become sick. The center is especially hot which is why you’ll sometimes hear this dessert be called Molten Lava Cake.
You can top this dessert with powdered sugar, whipped cream, cold ice cream, syrups, and/or fresh berries.
How to Make Homemade Lava Cakes
For full details on how to make lava cakes from scratch, see the recipe card below!
Prep
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray 4 custard cups with non-stick cooking spray and place on a baking sheet.
Make the Batter
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour. Divide evenly between baking dishes.
Bake and Serve Hot
Bake 13-15 minutes until sides are firm and center is soft. Let stand 1 minute before removing. Serve warm with ice cream, whipped cream, or powdered sugar and berries!
How to Make Mini Lava Cakes
If you want to make mini lava cakes you’re going to need a mini muffin tin with 24 wells. Most of the recipe stays the same except for the baking temperature and time. Here’s how to do it:
Prep Mini Muffin Tin
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Generously spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Make the Batter
Melt the chocolate and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cool 3 minutes. Stir in eggs and egg yolks until incorporated. Stir in powdered sugar and flour. Spoon into the prepared muffin tin so the batter is 3/4 the way up each well.
Bake and Serve Hot!
Bake 4-7 minutes or until the edges are cooked and the centers are soft. Cool 5 minutes and carefully remove from the pan using a butter knife. Serve warm with whatever your heart desires!
Can I heat up leftover lava cake?
While leftover lava cakes can be cooled down and refrigerated to enjoy later, I would highly suggest eating this dessert fresh instead of reheating leftovers. This is because reheating could overbake the middle. If you are going to reheat I’d suggest doing so carefully either for a short time in the microwave or oven.
Making Lava Cakes Ahead of Time
Prepare the batter up to 2 days in advance to make Lava Cakes ahead of time! But be sure to let the batter come to room temperature before baking.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze baked lava cakes for up to 3 months! Reheat in the microwave but don’t overdo it, you still want the center to be runny.
More Chocolate Cake Recipes!
- Black Forest Cake
- Dark Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Candy Cane Cake
- Flourless Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Birthday Cake
- Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Sheet Cake
Voila! That’s it! Perfect for Valentine’s Day, date night an anniversary, or just because. The printable recipe card below 🙂
Molten Lava Cake Recipe
Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes are some of the easiest and most decadent desserts to make at home! Only a few ingredients needed that you probably already have on hand!
Ingredients
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate baking squares or just use 4 oz chocolate chips, about 1/2 cup
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 6 tablespoons flour
Equipment
- 4 custard cups
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray 4 custard cups with non-stick cooking spray and place on a baking sheet.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour. Divide evenly between baking dishes.
- Bake 13-15 minutes until sides are firm and center is soft. Let stand 1 minute before removing. Serve warm with ice cream.
Video
Notes
Freezing. Freeze baked lava cakes for up to 3 months! Reheat in the microwave but don’t overdo it, you still want the center to be runny.
Make-Ahead. Prepare the batter up to 2 days in advance to make Lava Cakes ahead of time! But be sure to let the batter come to room temperature before baking.
Nutrition
Calories: 585kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 242mg | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 212mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 970IU | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 3mg
Can you reheat these in the microwave upon serving? Looks delicious!
Yes, just don’t overdo it so you keep the center runny 🙂
Could you use dark chocolate instead of the semisweet chocolate if you wanted to?
sure!
Thanks!
[…] Molten Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe […]
Turned out perfectly! I will definitely be making them again. Thank you for the recipe!
These are soooo good! And way too easy to make. Thanks for another great recipe!
[…] all you chocolate lovers, here are some other treats you will LOVE: Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes, Double Chocolate Silk Cream Pie {aka the pie that got me married}, Nutella Topped Red Velvet Oreo […]
This looks so yummy! Im gonna try making them soon 🙂
Yep. Definitely making these tomorrow for Valentine’s Day.
Oh I’m going to have to try this! Looks great!
I would love to make these for Valentine’s Day. What size custard cups did you use?
6 or 8 oz. are fine, but honestly, any small dish will do! I’ve even made these in really well greased muffin tins. Just reduce or increase the baking time as needed.
I desperately want to make these, but am nervous they will be as delicious as they look ????
[…] to snow though, so I’m doing everything I can to build up my fat stores for winter. *See this recipe, this recipe or scroll down below for today’s […]
What size custard cups do you use? These look delicious!
would i be able to make the batter ahead of time and then bake when ready to serve? (Possibly 4-5 hours prior to baking)
Yes!
This looks amazing! I’m a sucker for anything chocolate. Can’t wait to try it! And the picture is perfect!
I’ve always wanted to try making molten lava cake and this looks delicious! Seems a lot more simple to make than I would have thought too!
I really love lava cakes. Anxious to try this!
Molten chocolate lava cakes are my weakness!
This is making my mouth water! I have decided to serve this for dessert on Christmas Eve. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
so dangerous to have the ability to make these at home!!
I have been wanting to do this cake for a long time.I tried it on the weekend n it was easy n very delicious. The perfect dessert for cold Canadian winters.
I’ve just gotta make this. A chocolate lover here. Yum!
I definitely need to make these for Christmas dinner. Yummy
These always look so good, buy I have never tried making them. Seems fairly easy to make.
I made this over the weekend. It was a hit. I topped mine with whip cream and then put some homemade peppermint brittle on top for decoration. It was a hit! And, super easy to make
I am going to try these for new years this year!
These are SO good! My family raved about them! It’s too bad they are so easy and use ingredients I always have on hand – going to have to practice some self restraint!
I can’t wait to try these! Love your recipes:)
Yum! Chocolaty heaven! I’ve made this a few times and it’s always a hit & the recipe is requested. Merry Christmas Lauren & family!
I am entering this in a make-shift contest.
I am going to try this out and submit in a contest…wish me luck
These look incredible! Trying to figure out how the chocolate stays liquid inside and the cake bakes around it. Guess I should try them out for our Christmas dinner this year! =)
Made these and my guests raved about them and asked for recipe and I was glad to share it and introduce them to your wonderful website.
Looks divine!
After making these once, my husband is obsessed….he requests them for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
I LOVE Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Making this for New Years Eve!
I have been dying to try this molten lava cake! I’ve made a couple of your recipes and they are always fantastic! Yum!
I made these and they are delicious, easy to make and they look as if I had a pastry chef at my house!
This looks heavenly!! I need to make this ASAP!
Much easier to make than I anticipated and were delicious. Have been told by the wife to make them again soon.
I want to make these as a surprise for my wife, but which is the best flour to use, plain or self raising?
Plain aka All purpose.
I remember from when you made them at our house. They were to die for!!!
This looks so good! I love to bake and have never made one of these before! I will have to try it!
I’ve tried repeatively to print this recipe from the printable copy but I get everything but the ingredients and directions!
Is anyone else having this problem?
This is absolutely gorgeous. My family loves chocolate and this lava cake deserves to be in our table for Thanksgiving. Thanks for the idea!
Can’t wait to try it.
[…] all you chocolate lovers, here are some other treats you will LOVE: Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes, Double Chocolate Silk Cream Pie {aka the pie that got me married}, Nutella Topped Red Velvet Oreo […]
Found you from Google.. I made this recipe last night for a girls night treat, it was amazing! (And so simple!) Thanks for posting 🙂
These are AMAZING! They are also dangerous cuz i always have these ingredients I’ve made them 3 times in the last week! Rob and I are in heaven!!!!
All-purpose or self-rising flour?
I'm bookmarking this so the next time I'm craving chocolate and don't know what to make I can whip these up!