This decadent, yet easy Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe is just 5 simple ingredients, ready in about 25 minutes and makes the most romantic dessert ever!
I originally shared this rich and gooey lava cake recipe back in 2012, but it was in desperate need of some updated pictures, as well as some updated recipe notes… plus I will never turn down the opportunity to eat chocolate cake.
Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe:
- Start by melting together some butter and semi-sweet chocolate in a bowl.
- You can either melt the combination over a double boiler, or in the microwave. I prefer the microwave because it’s faster.
- Whisk powdered sugar into the chocolate mixture until it’s nice and smooth.
- Add in 3 whole eggs and the yolk of another as well as some flour and whisk again until smooth.
What is Inside Chocolate Lava Cake?
- This Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe is baked at a high temperature causing the outsides of the cake to bake quickly, while leaving the insides of the cake a hot gooey chocolate center.
- A common question I get with this recipe is: “Is it safe to eat the inside of the lava cake?”
- YES! The internal temperature of the cake will rise above 160 degrees which is the safe temperature of eggs. You can check the temperature of your cakes to be sure.
What Type of Chocolate is Used To Make Lava Cake?
- You’ll want to use a high quality chocolate for this recipe for best results. I use the Semi-sweet baking bars by Baker’s, Ghirardelli, Nestle, or Lindt.
- That being said, I have successfully used morsels (chocolate chips) for this recipe when in a pinch.
- You could also use bittersweet chocolate if desired.
- Here is a White Chocolate Lava Cake version as well!
How to Bake Chocolate Lava Cakes:
- This recipe makes 4 chocolate lava cakes when baked in 6oz ramekins, but can also be prepared in a muffin tin (making 6 smaller cakes).
- Make sure to coat the ramekins or muffin pan with non-stick spray. I prefer to use the baker’s spray (the one with flour in it).
- Place the ramekins on a baking sheet before placing in the oven for ease in removing.
- Make sure to let the chocolate lava cake rest for at least 3 to 5 minutes before inverting onto a plate to enjoy.
The top of the lava cake will be slightly jiggly, but mostly set when you remove it from the oven, while the outsides should be set completely.
If you’re having trouble getting the lava cake to release from the cup, carefully run a knife around the edge of the cake to help loosen it.
Make Ahead Chocolate Lava Cakes
Can you make these Chocolate Lava Cakes ahead of time if you’re having a dinner party?
- You can mix up the chocolate cake batter up to 2 days ahead of time, separate it into the ramekins, cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Let the cake batter come to room temperature before baking.
Can you FREEZE these Chocolate Lava Cakes and How Do You REHEAT Them?
- Once the cakes have been baked, remove them from the ramekins and let them cool completely. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 weeks.
- To reheat, unwrap cake and microwave on a microwave safe plate for 1 minute, or until heated through and chocolate center is still gooey.
These Chocolate Lava Cakes are the perfect dessert to go along with your romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, or any time you’re needing to satisfy that chocolate craving!
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Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
This warm and gooey Chocolate Lava Cake recipe is just 5 simple ingredients and ready in less than 25 minutes!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 whole eggs
- 1 egg- YOLK ONLY
- 6 tbsp flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a microwave safe bowl combine chocolate and butter. Microwave for 1 minute and 20 seconds. Whisk until the chocolate has melted and is smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar, 3 WHOLE eggs and 1 egg YOLK, whisk till combined.
- Add 6 tbsp of flour and whisk until combined again.
- Liberally spray 4 small (1 cup) custard cups with non-stick cooking spray, and evenly fill with batter.
- Bake on a cookie sheet in the oven for 15 to 16 minutes until the outer edges are set and the center is soft set.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 3 to 5 minutes before inverting onto a plate. Serve with ice cream if desired and enjoy!
Notes
Make Ahead Instructions:
- You can mix up the chocolate cake batter up to 2 days ahead of time, separate it into the ramekins, cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Let the cake batter come to room temperature before baking.
Freezing Instructions:
- Once the cakes have been baked, remove them from the ramekins and let them cool completely. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 weeks.
- To reheat, unwrap cake and microwave on a microwave safe plate for 1 minute, or until heated through and chocolate center is still gooey.
Keywords: Chocolate Lava Cake
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Wow these are amazing! So rich and delicious! I was a little nervous about overcooking, but I made them in a muffin tin, which made 6, and after 14 minutes they turned out great! A little difficult to flip over in a muffin tin since the bottoms weren’t super set but we just scooped them out and topped with whipped cream. Seriously SO good!
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed the recipe Brenna!
I totally failed… At first I did it for 13 minutes, and it came out totally over cooked (not tasty chocolate muffins basically) then tried another batch with 10 minutes and it fell apart as soon as I tried to lift it from the holders and came in half…. not sure if its me or something else… probably me….
This came out great! My friend loved them. I added a tsp of esspresso powder, served them with vanilla icecream and salted caramel sauce.
So glad you liked them! 🙂 Love the addition that you made!
Shawn – this recipe is awesome! can you please suggest which brand of chocolates you’ve used? I’d like to try it exactly the same way. Thanks!
Hi Ram, I use Baker’s Secret semi sweet chocolate squares. 🙂
Hi Shawn! Due to circumstances, can i bake the cake in the afternoon and eat it on the next afternoon? Will it still be gooey?
I had to bake it twice. The first time, I think too much flour but cake was nice. This morning did another batch but NO gooey chocolate inside! Where did I go wrong? I used the muffin pan, so should bake it in less time, just to get the crusty cake outside?
It sounds like because they were in smaller containers they just cooked all the way through. I would lessen the cook time or try for a bigger dish. 🙂
Can you make this as gluten free and if so could you E mail me the substitute for the flour, would it just be gluten free flour of any kind or do you need another ingredient. What would the measurements be. Thank you so much. My friend would absolutely love this and I want to make it for her. [email protected] that is my E mail address..
I would have no idea where to start on this. I’m not familiar with substituting flours. So sorry!
hi if i reduce the sugar, should i top up the decrease in dry ingredients with more flour?
I’m not sure how to answer that. How much sugar are you decreasing it by?
These were Awesome! Just made them for my daughter’s birthday , Thank you for the great detailed recipe 🙂
i would like to know what kind of chocolate you would use
Hi Brent, I use a semi-sweet chocolate for this.
I made these last night and they were to die for! Yum! This recipe is a keeper!
Very disappointing. I used bittersweet instead of semisweet chocolate and thats probably why.
The baking time was way off, took about 25 minutes for the toothpick to come out not completely covered in batter.
I added 1.5 tsp of baking powder and it still came out flat.
Next time, try following the recipe as it’s written and you will see better results. The center should still be very gooey in the center, so the toothpick method does not work with this recipe.
ymmmmm ana jerebeteha we jatniii ymmm
Hi Shawn,
What a lovely space you have here! And I absolutely love this recipe! In face this is what I made for my husband’s birthday last night!! I have posted this recipe on my page, with a dedication to you too, so please do check it out. You can also follow me on facebook, http://www.facebook.com/neetustasty treats. Happy to be a follower!
Neets
neetustastytreats.blogspot.com
Would these make good cupcakes? I actually failed at making these because I added mini marshmallows to the batter and in the over they floated to the top and burnt black…. But I was able to scrape off the burnt marshmallows and ate the cake! It didn’t have the molten effect though 🙁 I loved loved loved loved loved the cake! It was light and chocolatey, just the way I adore it! I have a party coming up and thought this recipe would make amazing cupcakes?
I’ve never made them as cupcakes, but if you enjoy it, I don’t see why not! 🙂
yummmmy
These are to die for! This is what my friends and I usually got when we wanted dessert. My mom used to make something similar, I will have to get the recipe from her…
Peace & Sunshine,
Sammi