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Lava cake

Easy Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

5 from 4 votes
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Picture this: a warm rich gooey chocolate centre oozing out of a perfectly soft, melt in your mouth chocolate cake. If that sounds like dessert heaven, then this easy chocolate lava cake recipe is exactly what you need. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply craving a luxurious treat for yourself, this quick molten lava cake recipe that takes less than 30 minutes to make, will leave you feeling like you’ve just walked out of one of the finest patisseries in town!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Total: 27 minutes
Servings: 4 lava cakes
Author: Cakes by MK

IMPORTANT: For accuracy, I would recommend using the gram measurements provided, as those are the exact quantities I use. Cup measurements are given as estimates (based on US cup measurements) to make it easier for those who do not have a scale.

Ingredients
 

  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (170 g) semi-sweet chocolate - 6 ounces, use a good quality chocolate - I usually use 50-60% dark chocolate (see note 1)
  • ¼ cup (50 g) soft light brown sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract/essence
  • ⅛ tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs - room temperature
  • 2 egg yolks - room temperature
  • 3 tbsp (24 g) all purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar - for dusting before serving

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 220C/430F (conventional - see note 2 if using a fan function), and generously grease and flour four 3.5inch (6 ounce) ramekins. If your ramekins are a little bigger or smaller it's fine, you may just need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • In a heat proof bowl add in butter and chocolate. Melt over a double boiler or in the microwave (which is what I prefer for ease). If using a microwave, melt for 20 second bursts at a time, mixing in between each burst until the chocolate is almost melted. Once at this stage, continue to stir, allowing the residual heat to melt the remaining chocolate. Once smooth, set aside for now.
  • In a large bowl add in brown sugar, vanilla, salt, whole eggs and egg yolks. Using a hand or stand mixer on a medium speed (use the whisk attachment if using a stand mixer), whip for 5 minutes until the mixture is thick and pale. You should be able to lift the batter up and make ribbons with it, that sit at the top of the batter for a few seconds before being absorbed back in.
  • To the egg mixture, sift in the all purpose flour and add in the melted chocolate mixture from earlier. Using a spatula, gently fold until well combined and the batter is uniform.
  • Distribute the batter into the ramekins. The batter should come about 3/4s of the way up the ramekins. Drop the ramekins lightly on the countertop once, and then place them onto a baking tray. Bake for 11-12 minutes, or until the edges are set, but the centre still jiggles when touched. See note 3 if you're worried about overbaking them.
  • Let them cool in the ramekins for about a minute, before turning them out onto a serving plate/saucer. Use a tea towel or oven mitts to assist you as the ramekins will be hot. Let them rest for about 15 seconds, before gently lifting the ramekins up - they should come off easily.
  • Finish off by dusting with powdered sugar and serve immediatlely. You can add berries, ice cream or whipped cream on the side too!

Video

Notes

Note 1. Make sure to use a good quality dark chocolate bar that you can eat (like Ghirardelli, Lindt or Whittakers). I usually use a 50-60% dark chocolate. Do not use chocolate chips or compound chocolate, otherwise you won't have that gooey centre. 
Note 2. If using a fan function then you need to decrease the baking temperature by about 15-20 degrees celcius.
Note 3. If you're worried about over baking the lava cakes, you can bake one first and check what the optimal baking time is for your oven. If you notice that at 11 minutes it seems a little overbaked, simply reduce the temperature by about a minute for the next round. Alternatively, if 11-12 minutes doesn't seem like enough, bake for an extra minute or so. 

Nutrition

Calories: 597kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 166mg | Sodium: 122mg | Potassium: 331mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 915IU | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional information are estimates only as they are automatically calculated by a third party application. Actual values may differ based on brands and types of products used.

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