Name: Bittersweet Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 26 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz (1 cup) good quality bittersweet or dark chocolate (I used 70%); 6 oz (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter; 5 tbsp sugar; 3 large eggs, at room temperature; 3 large egg yolks, at room temperature; 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (substitute quinoa flour for Gluten Free); strawberries for garnish; whipping cream or ice cream, to serve; extra butter and sugar to coat 6 to 8 ramekins

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Molten chocolate lava cakes are so easy to whip up anytime you like. Yet, they are so impressive with a dusting of sugar and a dollop of cream! When that molten chocolate oozes out, you’ll be a star!

Originally published February 11, 2013

Despite the fact that there must be hundreds of other online recipes for molten chocolate lava cakes, I have to share this recipe with you. It’s a dessert that we make religiously in my household.

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I’ve also discovered you can make them ahead of time and keep in the fridge or freezer, until ready to bake! That’s a huge plus!

This is one of my daughter’s favorite recipes, and it’s so easy, she can whip up a batch of molten chocolate lava cakes in no time. The other nice thing about this recipe, is that it can be made gluten free by switching the ONE tablespoon of all-purpose flour, with any type of gluten-free flour. It is very similar to the decadent chocolate torte I posted last year.

Two notes~

1. Be sure to use really good quality chocolate and eggs in this recipe as that’s what is most important. If you want it to taste “roll-your-eyes-back-in-your-head-good”, you can’t skimp on the ingredients. I use and recommend Barry chocolate. This is a good choice for this recipe. For other recipes that don’t require such a bittersweet chocolate, you can use chocolate from Trader Joe’s, if you have one nearby. I don’t need to make recommendations for those of you in the UK and Europe and Down Under, as you don’t really have poor quality chocolate available (lucky you).

2. Don’t be scared about getting the baking time right. It’s all a matter of learning how your oven bakes. One oven may need 10 minutes while another may need 13 (at the same temperature). If you really want to be sure the first time, do a test bake with just one ramekin. Time it and when you still have a “jiggly middle”, pull it out and test it. If it’s underdone, give it another minute for the rest of the molten chocolate lava cakes. If it’s overdone, pull it out earlier: easy-peasy!

These little oozy chocolate cakes are perfect for special occasions such as a birthday, Valentine’s Day or Mothers’ Day. However, I’m sure you’ll want to make them again and again, and not just for special occasions.

Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

adapted from a Bon Appetit recipe serves 6

FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Ingredients

bittersweet or dark chocolate
butter
sugar
eggs
egg yolks
flour (substitute rice flour or GF baking mix for gluten free)

Optional

strawberries for garnish
whipping cream or ice cream, to serve

Special equipment: 6 to 8 ramekins (I recommend these ramekins, as they are made in France.)

Preheat oven to 425º F (215º C)

Prepare the Ramekins

Begin by buttering the ramekins, then coating them in sugar.

Make the Molten Chocolate Lava Cake Batter

In a small pot, melt butter and chocolate pieces over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside. (Do not overheat, or it will cook the eggs when added to the mixture.)

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, egg yolks and sugar until very thick and pale yellow (it should almost triple in size) about 5 or 6 minutes if using a stand mixer, or similar.

Gently add about a third of the melted chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, then fold in the remaining chocolate, and tablespoon of flour.

Try not to stir the cake batter; gently fold it until it looks uniform in color.

Bake the Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

Divide equally into the prepared ramekins, then place them on a baking tray.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 13 minutes (ovens vary and depending on how much batter is in each ramekin, baking times will also vary.) SEE MY TIPS FOR ENSURING A MOLTEN CENTER IN THE TEXT ABOVE THE RECIPE.

While the cakes are baking, whip some cream, if desired, and prepare the strawberry garnishes: with a sharp knife, make several slices into the strawberry, then fan out and place on plate.

The molten chocolate lave cakes are ready when edges are puffed, but center inch still moves slightly when shaken. The center is meant to be undercooked.

Serve the Lava Cakes

Serve immediately with a dusting of powdered sugar, whipped cream or ice cream and a strawberry garnish. You may choose to serve them in the ramekin, however, I think the presentation is lost unless it’s turned out onto a plate.

To serve this way, first, run a knife around the outside of the ramekin and and place a dessert plate on top (upside down). Now, invert the cake onto the plate with your hand underneath the dessert plate; it’s very easy.

Dust with powdered sugar.

Want to make these ahead of time and reheat in the microwave? You can! See the directions in the notes section of the printable recipe card below.

Now comes the best part: watching the center ooze out!

Oops! Sorry, I misspoke! The very best part is eating it!

Amy from Constellation Inspiration has some seriously beautiful candied strawberries that I think would be perfect alongside these lava cakes (one on each plate, without the lollipop stick)!

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