Description
Indulge in a decadent homemade Chocolate Lava Cake with a rich, molten chocolate center. This elegant dessert combines a tender chocolate cake exterior with a gooey, flowing core, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself on a special occasion. Serve warm with your favorite toppings like ice cream, berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar for the ultimate chocolate experience.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips or morsels
- 3 eggs
- 3 egg yolks
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Optional Toppings:
- Ice cream
- Powdered sugar
- Berries
- Chocolate sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Ramekins: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Generously butter four 6-ounce ramekins and dust them with the unsweetened cocoa powder, tapping out any excess. This ensures the cakes release easily after baking.
- Melt Butter and Chocolate: In a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, gently melt the unsalted butter and dark chocolate chips, stirring until smooth and combined. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Mix Eggs and Sugar: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until the mixture is thick and pale, about 3-4 minutes. This adds volume and lightness to the batter.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually pour the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture while gently folding to combine without deflating the batter.
- Add Flour: Sift the all-purpose flour over the batter and fold it in gently until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- Fill Ramekins: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake the Cakes: Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes. The edges should be set while the center remains soft and jiggly, ensuring the lava center.
- Serve Warm: Remove the cakes from the oven and let them sit for 1-2 minutes. Run a thin knife around the edges to loosen, then invert each ramekin onto a serving plate. Serve immediately with optional toppings such as ice cream, powdered sugar, berries, or chocolate sauce.
Notes
- For best results, serve the lava cakes warm to enjoy the molten center.
- You can prepare the batter ahead and keep it refrigerated, but baking times may vary slightly.
- Use high-quality dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
- If you don’t have ramekins, use any small oven-safe cups or molds of similar size.
- Adjust baking time slightly if using bigger or smaller ramekins to prevent under- or over-baking.
Keywords: chocolate lava cake, molten chocolate cake, easy chocolate dessert, chocolate soufflé cake, warm chocolate cake