Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

So luscious and full of chocolate deliciousness this Molten Chocolate Lava Cake is quick and easy to make! Now you can make your favorite restaurant version right at your home!

I have always been a fan of molten chocolate cake but had always been intimidated to even try making one. However, one day I saw these beautiful heart-shaped molds from one of our thrift stores and that gave me the idea that I should at least give it a try.

I immediately purchased these pretty little cups ’cause not only were they so cheap, but they were also brand new. I thought to myself, these would come in handy someday.

Below is what it looks like when you use a heart-shaped mold. I took my time in taking the photos so the filling was already starting to dry but it was still so yummy!

I searched on the web for a recipe for chocolate lava cake and found this very easy recipe from Tasty Kitchen. When I read it, I thought, I can do that. I didn’t have a Baking Chocolate but I have always used regular chocolate when baking anyway ’cause I think it tastes much better so I substituted it with what was available in my pantry – a 70% Dark choco bar – pretty intense but that’s how we like our choco here – bittersweet. I would say – it’s quite a good recipe for the cake turned out very well. 

It really worked – the center was soft and when I cut into it – the gooey chocolate center flowed out like hot lava (it is actually smoother than what the photo shows).  What’s more, it’s so easy to make and you don’t even need a mixer to do it.  I have to say though that the edges of the cake are a bit crusty though the center was truly soft.

I don’t know if it’s the baking time that made the edges a little crusty. The original recipe called for 13-14 minutes which I think is a little too long. I have seen other recipes that only call for about 10 minutes or less.

I used 12 minutes exactly but I will try doing only 10 minutes next time so it will definitely be gooey in the center and hopefully not too crusty on the edges. But if you’re not so fussy — this is a very good recipe to try! Who cares about the crusty edges when you can put some vanilla ice cream on top of this cake and see it melt with the gooey choco lava! Yum!

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FOR FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS and to PRINT, SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW.


WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS FOR CHOCOLATE MOLTEN LAVA CAKE?

  • 4 pieces (squares) Bitter-sweet or Semi-sweet or just plain sweet Chocolate (this is a matter of preference)*
  • ½ cups Butter, chopped into several pieces
  • 1 cup Confectioner’s or Powdered Sugar plus an extra 1-2 Tablespoon for dusting, separated
  • 2 whole Eggs plus 2 Egg yolks
  • 6 Tablespoons Flour

NOTES: You can use Baking chocolate if that is what you prefer for easier measurement, but trust me real chocolate is much better. Do not be scared if you are off by an ounce or so. I don’t think it would matter much. This is the chocolate I used because my hubby and I prefer dark and intense chocolate flavor…but your cake won’t be so sweet so follow your sweet cravings. I used about 4 pieces (they are individually wrapped). You can find this at Aldi’s and they are cheaper than Ghirardelli’s but oh so good too!

HOW DO YOU MAKE CHOCOLATE MOLTEN LAVA CAKE?

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease/spray about 4 custard molds/cups or small ramekins with a non-stick spray and then place them on a baking tray (cookie sheet).

The next step requires melting the butter and chocolate. You can use the microwave to do so but I don’t have one so I use the double boiler method to melt my choco and butter. If doing the double boiler method, place the butter and chocolate in a stainless steel bowl above a saucepan with barely simmering water. Make sure the bowl does not touch the water. Let the choco and butter melt.

Stir as the choco and butter melt and have become smooth in texture. A spatula is handy with this.

Add 1 cup powdered or confectioner’s sugar then whisk together until smooth.

Add the 2 eggs and the 2 egg yolks then whisk together again until smooth.

Stir in the flour just until combined.

Looking so good already!

Divide the chocolate batter evenly among the 4 custard molds. Since it’s Valentine’s Day I used heart-shaped molds.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 11-12 minutes, or until the sides are firm but still soft in the center. See the photo below.

Let cool for about 2 minutes (set the timer so you won’t forget!). Thereafter, invert the cakes onto serving plates. They should release very quickly. Dust with the remaining powdered sugar. Serve with some fruits on the side, if desired.

Serve immediately! Enjoy all that gooey chocolate goodness! And, yes this is so perfect with vanilla ice cream, too or even plain whipped cream!

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Manila Spoon
So luscious and full of chocolate deliciousness this Molten Chocolate Lava Cake is quick and easy to make! Now you can make your favorite restaurant version right at your home!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
 

  • 4-5 oz pieces or squares of bitter-sweet, semi-sweet or just plain sweet chocolate (this is a matter of preference)
  • ½ cups Butter, chopped into several pieces
  • 1 cup Confectioner's or Powdered Sugar plus an extra 1-2 Tablespoon for dusting, separated
  • 2 whole Eggs plus 2 Egg yolks
  • 6 tbsp Flour

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease/spray about 4 custard molds/cups or small ramekins with a non-stick spray and then place them on a baking tray (cookie sheet).
  • The next step requires melting the butter and chocolate. You can use the microwave to do so but I don’t have one so I use the double boiler method to melt my choco and butter. If doing the double boiler method, place the butter and chocolate in a stainless steel bowl above a saucepan with barely simmering water. Make sure the bowl does not touch the water. Let the choco and butter melt.
  • Stir as the choco and butter melt and have become smooth in texture. A spatula is handy with this.
  • Add 1 cup powdered or confectioner’s sugar then whisk together until smooth.
  • Add the 2 eggs and the 2 egg yolks then whisk together again until smooth.
  • Stir in the flour just until combined.
  • Divide the chocolate batter evenly among the 4 custard molds. Since it’s Valentine’s Day I used heart-shaped molds.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 11-12 minutes, or until the sides are firm but still soft in the center.
  • Let cool for about 2 minutes (set the timer so you won’t forget!). Thereafter, invert the cakes onto serving plates. They should release very quickly. Dust with the remaining powdered sugar. Serve with some fruits on the side, if desired.
  • Serve immediately! Enjoy all that gooey chocolate goodness! And, yes this is so perfect with vanilla ice cream, too or even plain whipped cream!

Notes

You can use Baking chocolate if that is what you prefer for easier measurement, but trust me real chocolate is much better. Do not be scared if you are off by an ounce or so. I don’t think it would matter much. This is the chocolate I used because my hubby and I prefer dark and intense chocolate flavor…but your cake won’t be so sweet so follow your sweet cravings. I used about 4 pieces (they are individually wrapped). You can find this at Aldi’s and they are cheaper than Ghirardelli’s but oh so good too!
Keyword how to make chocolate lava cake, how to make molten chocolate lava cake
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Last updated on February 14th, 2023 at 09:56 am

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20 Comments

  1. February 8, 2013 / 2:38 pm

    Hii Abbey, I always adore these small beauties. but neveer tried at home. I'll follow your recipe this weekend. Hope I won't mess with it. Thanks for such a pretty recipe.

    • February 9, 2013 / 12:49 am

      Rimli, it's not very complicated and am pretty sure you'll do fine! Thanks for stopping by!

  2. February 9, 2013 / 8:51 pm

    What a great idea for Valentine's Day. It's just beautiful. Can't wait to try this one.

  3. February 11, 2013 / 5:27 am

    Could you give us a weight or volume of the chocolate you used? "Squares" is relative to every different brand.

    • February 15, 2013 / 3:15 am

      It's about half 1/2 an oz for each square. Sample would be the Ghirardelli Baking Chocolate Square – it would be similar to that.

  4. February 12, 2013 / 6:27 pm

    So delectable Abbey…the look of the melted chocolate is making me drool!!!

    • February 15, 2013 / 3:13 am

      I know, Shibi! I can relate to that! 🙂

  5. February 13, 2013 / 12:59 am

    Oh, wow, Abby…I love this recipe!! Thank you for sharing!! xo ally

    • February 15, 2013 / 3:12 am

      Ally dear, thanks for stopping by! Glad to see you here and happy you love the recipe!

  6. June 15, 2013 / 11:15 am

    Ack. I knew I forgot to buy something today. Forgot the chocolate for this recipe. Saving this in my Evernote!

    Thanks!

  7. July 21, 2014 / 11:34 am

    hey i followed ur recipe and it works amazing for me!!!!!!!!!! It turns out awesome! 😀 😀 Thanx so much for putting this up! 🙂

    • July 22, 2014 / 12:08 am

      Oh, I am so delighted to know that! Appreciate your kind feedback. Thanks.

  8. January 25, 2016 / 11:46 am

    Hi! Do you know where I can find Aldi's? I'm looking for their brand of Choceur chocolates 🙂

  9. January 25, 2016 / 4:55 pm

    If you live in the Philippines I am afraid there's no Aldi's there so you have to make do with what they have in SM. Sorry.

    • January 25, 2016 / 6:50 pm

      Oh, sorry I assumed you were here in the PH because of your url, and I got a bit excited.
      Thanks anyway 🙂

    • January 25, 2016 / 8:41 pm

      No worries, I was born in Manila and studied there but now live in the USA but since I love my city I named the blog after it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

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