Molten Lava Cake for Two

Chocolate Molten Lava Cake is the ultimate chocolate lover’s dessert! This small rich chocolate cake has a warm gooey center that makes you go weak at the the knees. It’s so easy to make and comes together in less than 20 minutes!

Chocolate is my love language and I’m guessing it’s a lot of others’ too which is why Molten Lava Cake is so popular. Is there really anything better than warm gooey chocolate?! If you’re on the hunt for more awesome chocolate desserts, check out my Easy Chocolate Mousse, Easy Chocolate Fudge, and these 4-Ingredient Chocolate Truffles.

Molten Lava Cake (for two!)

I have been making this for years! This cake is delicious, decadent, addicting, divine, just so incredibly good!!! If you haven’t made or even tried Chocolate Lava Cake, you need to ASAP. And the great thing is that this is really quick and easy to whip up. 

Why is it called Molten Lava Cake?

As soon as you cut into the cake the gooey chocolate inside flows out like molten lava. It’s so dang good! Especially with a scoop of ice cream and some berries.

Ingredients for Molten Lava Cake:

• Dark Chocolate– Use baking chocolate or baking chips such as Ghirardelli.
• Butter– Adds to the richness and flavor of the cake.
• Whole Egg– The egg helps with leavening and structure of the cake.
• Egg Yolk– Adding an egg yolk add to the richness, creaminess, and smooth texture of the lava.
• Sugar– Adds to sweetness of the cake.
• Vanilla– Gotta have vanilla for flavor!
• Salt– Helps enhance the flavor.
• Flour– Gives structure to the cake.

How to make Chocolate Lava Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Grease the inside bottom and sides of two 4-6 ounce ramekins with butter or shortening. Pour about 1 teaspoon sugar in each and shake the sugar around so it sticks the bottom and sides of the ramekins. Shake out any remaining sugar.
3. Place chocolate and butter together in a bowl and melt in the microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir and heat an additional 15 seconds if needed. Stir until smooth.
4. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the whole egg, yolk, sugar, vanilla, and salt together until pale in color. Mix in the melted chocolate/butter. Add the flour and mix until just combined.
5. Pour batter into the ramekins (to the top of the inside lip) and then place in the oven (directly on the rack) and bake for 11-12 minutes until top is set but cake still jiggles in the middle (you don’t want to cook the lava!).
6. Let the cake sit for 1-2 minutes. Run a sharp knife along the sides of the cake to ensure it comes out perfectly. Invert the cake onto a plate by placing a plate upside down on top of the cake. With hot pads on, flip the cake so that the plate is on the bottom and cake is upside down on top. Leave it for 20 seconds, give the bottom of the ramekin a couple of pats and then lift it straight up.
7. Dust the cakes with powdered sugar and garnish with berries and ice cream. Serve immediately.

What size ramekin do I need for Lava Cakes?

I use two 4 ounce ramekins. This creates the perfect size cake for an individual portion. Since the ramekin is narrow it produces a tall little cake that has more of a dramatic look when cut into and the lava flows out onto the plate. 5 or 6 ounces ramekins work well too.

A 7 or 8 ounce ramekin works as well. Usually though these are wider so it produces a shorter cake which isn’t as pretty. This size is great for is you’re not planning on removing the cake from the ramekin. Since the cake doesn’t rise to the rim you’ll have room to add your fruit and ice cream. Just be sure to place the ramekin on a plate and not burn your hands on the dish while eating.

What to serve with Lava Cake: 

Since this cake is very rich, I like to serve it with vanilla ice cream. It’s the perfect pairing, kind of like eating brownies and ice cream.

Fruit is a great addition as well and adds to the beauty. I prefer raspberries with my cake but sliced strawberries or bananas taste great with it too.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! Double, triple, quadruple… the recipe to serve more people.

Tips for making perfect Molten Lava Cake: 

• Grease the ramekins well so the whole cake comes out.
• No substitutions. Baking is a science. I have tested and made adjustments to get this recipe just right.
• Place ramekins directly on the oven rack. Placing them on a baking sheet causes the bottom of the cake (which becomes the top) to not cook as fast.
• Use hot pads when handling the ramekins.
• Let the cake sit 1-2 minutes before flipping over and let it sit upside down for 20-30 seconds before tapping and removing.
• Don’t over bake! 11-12 minutes is all you need. The top of the cake should be cooked but if you tap it gently it should still giggle.

LOOKING FOR MORE DECADENT CHOCOLATE DESSERTS? CHECK OUT THESE:

• Raspberry Chocolate Cupcakes are divine and oh so pretty!
• Raspberry Brownie Cheesecake Trifles are so easy to make for any occasion.
• If you’re looking to impress, you’ve got to make Raspberry Chocolate Swiss Roll. 
• Strawberry Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies are a brownie cookie that is topped with a gooey marshmallow. So GOOD!
• For perfectly portioned decadent desserts, make Mini Triple Chocolate Cheesecakes!
• Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake is a show stopper.
• Double Chocolate French Silk Pie is a chocolate lover’s dream!

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Molten Lava Cake (for Two)

Molten Lava Cake is the ultimate chocolate lover's dessert! This small rich chocolate cake has a warm gooey center that makes you go weak at the the knees. It’s so easy to make and comes together in less than 20 minutes!

Prep Time8 mins

Cook Time12 mins

Total Time20 mins

Servings: 2

Calories: 553kcal

Author: Garnish and Glaze

Equipment

• Ramekins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dark chocolate (about 3 ounces), chopped (or use Ghirardelli baking chips)
• 2 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1 whole egg, room temperature*
• 1 egg yolk, room temperature*
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 tablespoons flour

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease the inside bottom and sides of two 5-ounce ramekins with butter or shortening. Then place about 1 teaspoon sugar in each and shake the sugar around so it sticks to the butter on the bottom and sides of the ramekins. Shake out any remaining sugar.
• Place chocolate chips and butter together in a bowl and melt in the microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir and heat an additional 15 seconds if needed. Stir until smooth.
• In a medium mixing bowl, beat the whole egg, yolk, sugar, vanilla, and salt together until pale in color. Mix in the melted chocolate/butter. Add the flour and mix until just combined.
• Pour batter into the ramekins and then place in the oven directly on the middle rack and bake for 11-12 minutes until top is set but cake still jiggles in the middle (you don't want to cook the lava!).
• Let the cake sit for 1-2 minute. Run a sharp knife along the sides of the cake to ensure it comes out perfectly. Invert the cake onto a plate by placing a plate upside down on top of the cake. With hot pads on, flip the cake so that the plate is on the bottom and cake is upside down on top. Leave it for 20 seconds, give the bottom of the ramekin a couple of pats and then lift it straight up.
• Dust the cakes with powdered sugar and garnish with berries and ice cream.

Notes

*Get eggs to room temperature quickly by placing them in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes (while still in the shell).

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Molten Lava Cake

Nutrition Facts

Molten Lava Cake (for Two)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 553 Calories from Fat 333

% Daily Value*

Fat 37g57%

Saturated Fat 21g131%

Cholesterol 218mg73%

Sodium 315mg14%

Potassium 343mg10%

Carbohydrates 46g15%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 29g32%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 686IU14%

Calcium 56mg6%

Iron 6mg33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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