Easy to Make Chocolate Lava Cake (Molten Cake Recipe)
Chocolate lava cake is a French dessert that features a warm, rich chocolate cake with a gooey, molten, “lava” chocolate center. Legit is one of the best and easiest desserts that come together in no time! Chocolate lava cake is best served and enjoyed while it is warm. This recipe requires only a few simple ingredients, and I’m excited to show you how to make it.
Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe.
A simple and easy yet decadent chocolate lava cake is the best effortless dessert that will wow your family and guests. It requires only a few ingredients – eggs, chocolate, butter, and sugar. These days, I always substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener. This is the perfect stress-free cake recipe for those times you are celebrating low-key birthdays at home. Just recently, the kids requested lava cake yet again for their daddy’s birthday, and it was another win – easy, tasty, and delicious! LOL. (Photo below)⬇️
What is Chocolate Lava Cake?
Lava cake has different names, and, to be honest, it is well worth it. Also known as a molten chocolate cake, chocolate surprise cake, or moelleux au chocolat. Others call it runny core cake, chocolate fondant, or chocolate soufflé cake. Lava cake is a French dessert that features a warm, rich chocolate cake with a gooey, molten, “lava” chocolate center. The lava runs out as soon as you cut the cake. Basically, it is a chocolate cake with a liquid chocolate core.
If you are like me then maybe you bake cakes less often. Here’s the thing: whether you don’t like to bake cakes because they are cumbersome (like yours truly), or perhaps you cannot be left alone with baked cakes whenever you bake them, and then you tend to do it less often. Or simply you have no interest in cooking any kind of dish at all. No matter what your case is, I suggest you learn one or two simple yet delicious cake recipes that will save the day like the molten chocolate lava cake. It is a classic, moist, yummy, and easy to make. This took 25 minutes! This photo is from Kamsi’s birthday a few years ago! ⤵️
Wear or Borrow a Baking Cap.
(This recipe was first published on May 15, 2020, and republished on May 31, 2025). In 2020 the C19 pandemic heat. One of the lessons is the beauty of improvising, I mean the fabulousness of DIY. My daughter’s birthday was in March, she wanted a unicorn cake, the world was in lockdown, and I DIYed the best chocolate lava cake instead. Despite the lockdown, I had all the ingredients for the lava cake, why? Because they are readily available (and easy to make)! In other words, please go wear a baking cap or just borrow one because I am going to help you score some points with this cake!😊
How to Make the Best Chocolate Lava/Molten Cake At Home.
Aside from the ingredients, one of the most important things that make this cake unique is the ramekins, aka the baking pans. Rarely are molten cakes baked in regular baking sheets; they are typically baked in small containers referred to as ramekins. Most ramekins are 8 oz, but mine (from Pioneer woman) is 16 oz ramekins. This way, two to three people share a cake, well yeah.🤷🏾♀️
In case sharing a small cake would cause a fight in your household, definitely go for the smaller ramekins – each to one, if possible, the 4oz ones! As a rule, always grease or spray oil the ramekins, then dust them in flour.
Preparing The Batter… (Trust me It’s Easy)!
Whenever I ask my son to do a chore, he tells me that he would start with the easiest task! With this whole homeschooling amid of Coronavirus, I have been working with him to realize that all chores are easy and doable (at least if you believe)! And in the view of this entire lava cake making, I am happy to inform you that all of its tasks are simple! In other words, you have nothing to worry about.
Chocolate lava cake, also known as molten chocolate cake, is super easy to make. With chocolate, eggs, sugar, and butter on hand plus 20 minutes, you are well on your way to one of the most decadent desserts. In a word, all you need is mix, mix, scoop, and these are ready for the oven.
How To Bake Chocolate Lava Cake
Baking lava cake is easier than the preparation. Simply place batter in a 450F preheated oven. Then, cook for 16 – 18 minutes. The lenght of time typically depends on the size of the remikins. If using a 4 oz ramekin, then the time will drastically reduce.
Out of the Oven
I must say that this recipe is worth the hype, especially if you make it yourself. The first time I had a chocolate lava cake was in a restaurant, but this one, right here, that I made by myself is everything! It’s warm, comforting, satisfying, and of course, chocolatey
What is The Best Way to Serve/Enjoy Molten Cakes:
Chocolate lava cake is best served and enjoyed while it is warm. I would recommend making this dessert close to the time you wish to serve it. That way, the lava is warm, gooey, and cozy. You are free to serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Tips/Recipe Notes for this Warm and Comforting Runny Cake!
- Make sure your eggs are at room temperature
- Use a handheld electric mixer (whisk) to whip the eggs and sugar (LOL, your arm may hurt if using a manual)
- Ensure to grease and flour your baking ramekins
- Bake your lava runny cakes close to the time you wish to serve them
- Serve with fruits, scoop of ice cream or drizzle of caramel is desired.
As I mentioned earlier, I used 16 oz ramekins instead of 8 oz, which is favored for making this recipe. As a result, I bake this for 17 minutes exactly, and they were perfect! Remember that the baking time will change depending on the size of your baking dish, aka ramekins. Now it is your turn to make these, and be careful not to finish one by yourself, because they can be addicting.
Am sure you are ready to make this baby, let’s ride on!
Recipe Card:
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Easy to Make Chocolate Lava Cake
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 17
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This chocolate lava cake recipe is hands down one of the best! It’s warm, comforting, satisfying, and of course super-duper chocolatey! Also known as molten chocolate cake or chocolate moelleux, this recipe originated in France and yet enjoyed across the globe today.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of chocolate chips
- 1 stick of butter
- 2 whole eggs
- 2 yokes
- ¼ cup of sugar or Monk fruit sweetener
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 2½ – 3 tablespoons of flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450.
- Grease the ramekins, and flour them, then set aside
- Melt the chocolate and the butter (I used the microwave 20 – 30 seconds); use a fork to mix if not well dissolved after that time.
- Add the eggs to a big bowl, add the sugar, and salt. Beat together with the electric mixer for about 5 – 6 minutes or until fluffy, (whipped) and lightly lemon in color. (Check my picture)
- Add the melted chocolate into the whipped eggs, and vanilla extract, gently combine or fold in. Then fold in the flour as well, ensure that everything is well incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the ramekins; ensure to divide batter in equal sizes. This way, they will bake evenly.
- Bake in preheated 450F oven for 16 – 18 minutes (I baked mine for 17 minutes). Bake less if using smaller ramekins.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately. If you allow to cool completely before serving, the lava in the middle may harden. Remember, the purpose of this cake is to have the runny chocolatey center, and if you wish, serve it with ice cream.
Notes
No need to microwave the chocolate and butter for more than 30 seconds.
Regarding the baking time; it usually depends on your ramekins. I used big ramekins (16 oz); if you are using the usual 8 or 4 oz ramekins the baking time would decrease to about 10 or even 8 minutes or lesser. Bottom line keep eyes on them as soon as you place them in the oven, and keep your oven light on so watch the progression.
Do not over bake.
More Sweets/Desserts to Try:
- Red Velvet Cookies with Beets
- Banana Oat Cookies with Almond Flour
- Sweetest Blueberry Scones
- Healthier Apple Crumble Muffins
- Cranberry Orange Bread
More related recipes:
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THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! Stay well, safe and keep living your life to the fullest!
Wow! I couldn’t help myself. I had to share this with my Facebook peeps. This is ultimate death by chocolate. YUM!
Hahahaha😂😂😂😂😂 Am laughing so hard at death by chocolate!😂
Thanks for your kind comments, and for sharing, Bonnie. I do appreciate, it.❤️
Am sure you will love it whenever you make it!😊