Description
Chocolate Lava Cake brings pure dessert joy right to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Melted chocolate centers and crispy edges make this classic French-style treat a simple yet impressive finale to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 whole eggs
- 2 egg yolks
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation Ingredients:
- Nonstick spray or butter (for greasing ramekins)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Coat four 6-ounce ramekins thoroughly with nonstick spray or butter, ensuring complete coverage for easy cake removal.
- Place 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate and ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until completely melted and smooth – approximately 90 seconds total.
- Whisk 2 whole eggs and 2 egg yolks with 1 cup powdered sugar until the mixture becomes pale and slightly frothy.
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, stirring continuously. Add 1 tsp vanilla extract and 6 tbsp all-purpose flour, folding gently until no flour streaks remain.
- Distribute the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins. Tap each ramekin gently on the counter to level the surface.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes at 425°F (220°C). The edges should appear set while the center remains soft and slightly jiggly.
- Allow cakes to rest for 1 minute after removing from the oven. Carefully loosen edges with a knife and invert onto serving plates. Enjoy immediately with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Notes
- Check chocolate quality matters – use good dark chocolate for rich, deep flavor.
- Ramekin size affects baking time – smaller dishes cook faster, so watch closely.
- Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly and help create a silky cake texture.
- Serve immediately after baking to get the classic molten center that flows when cut open.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 416 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg