Decadent Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Introduction

Molten chocolate lava cake might seem like a restaurant-only treat, but it's astonishingly simple to whip up at home. A careful control of the baking time ensures a perfectly set exterior while keeping the center deliciously gooey.

Why You'll Love It

• Looks incredibly impressive
• Deep, intense chocolate flavor
• Ready from start to finish in less than 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
• 6 oz High-quality semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 Large eggs
• 2 Egg yolks
• 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
• Pinch Salt
• 2 tbsp All-purpose flour

Equipment

• 4 ramekins
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Whisk

Instructions

1. Prep the ramekins — Preheat oven to 425°F. Generously butter four 6-ounce ramekins and lightly dust them with cocoa powder to prevent sticking.
2. Melt chocolate & butter — In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chopped chocolate together in 20-second bursts until fully smooth.
3. Whisk the eggs — In another bowl, aggressively whisk the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and salt together until the mixture is pale and thick.
4. Combine — Fold the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Once combined, sift the flour over the top and gently fold just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
5. Bake — Divide batter evenly among ramekins. Bake for 11-13 minutes. The edges should be firm, but the direct center will still be slightly soft and jiggly.
6. Serve — Let sit for 1 minute, then carefully invert each ramekin onto a plate. Serve immediately.

Tips

• Oven temperatures vary; you might need to test-bake one to find the exact timing for the perfect molten center.
• Using chopped high-quality chocolate baking bars works far better than chocolate chips.

Variations

• Mexican Chocolate Lava Cake: Add a pinch of cinnamon and a dash of cayenne to the batter.

Storage

Fridge: Store unbaked batter in ramekins for up to 2 days.

Freezer: Not recommended.

Reheat: Best baked fresh. You can bake refrigerated batter, just add 1-2 extra minutes to bake time.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 510 kcal
• Fat: 38 g
• Carbs: 40 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 110 mg

FAQ