Introduction: Chocolate Lava Cake | Molten Cake
Does chocolate lava cake even need an introduction? Maybe... this little cake is the perfect size to enjoy without feeling too guilty about eating a whole cake. It's nice and chocolatey, the inside oozes out and is so creamy, decadent and warm, pared with vanilla ice cream on the side gives it even more creaminess and compliments the warm cake perfectly! The outside has a nice texture that holds in the "lava" perfectly. Give it a try and see how easy it is =) If you want to learn how to make your own chocolate lava cake, follow the step by step instructable down below or watch the video tutorial here:
Step 1: Ingredients and Tools
Ingredients
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 5 Tablespoons Butter
- ½ teaspoon Instant Coffee
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 2 Whole Eggs
- 2 Egg Yolks
- ¼ cup Flour
Toppings
- Powdered Sugar
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Strawberries
Tools
- All Clad Sauce Pan 3qt
- Cuisinart Oven Mitts
- Pyrex Bowl 3 set
- Cookie Sheets
- Misc kitchen utensils
Step 2: Prepare Double Boiler
Start off by preheating the oven to 450 degrees. Add the chocolate and butter to the Pyrex bowl. In a double boiler (I'm using a sauce pan with about an inch of warm water and adding a glass Pyrex bowl that fits on top but does not touch the water).
Step 3: Melt Chocolate
Melt chocolate chips and butter in the double boiler until smooth on low heat. Once melted, take it off the stove.
Step 4: Add Ingredients
To your chocolate mixture add in coffee, vanilla and salt. Give it a gentle stir until everything is combined.
Step 5: Separate and Add Eggs
Separate two eggs, add in the yolks to the chocolate mixture (you can save the egg whites for another recipe). Add in two more whole eggs and stir until combined (you want two whole eggs and two egg yolk in the recipe).
Step 6: Add Flour
Add flour to a strainer and sift it on top of the chocolate mixture (this will assure you the there is no clumps and your cake will be smooth). Stir in flour until just combined.
Step 7: Spray and Fill Ramekins
Spay four 6 ounce ramekins with cooking spray. Add ramekins to a cooking sheet (this allows for easy placement in the oven). Next fill each ramekin 2/3 full of the chocolate batter.
Step 8: Bake
Bake chocolate cakes for 10 minutes in your preheated 450 F oven (NO LONGER!). Centers will still be con-caved (thats perfect because you want the "lava" to come out once you cut into it).
Step 9: Flip the Cake
Allow it to cool enough to handle. Once it is cool enough, run a pairing knife around the edges of the cake. Place a flat plate on top of the ramekin and flip it over (the cake should come right out).
Step 10: Add Toppings
Dust with powdered sugar and add the toppings of your choice. I topped mine with a strawberry and served it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Step 11: Enjoy!
Enjoy your chocolate molten lava cake!
Step 12: Video Tutorial
If your prefer a video tutorial you can watch it here!

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17 Comments
4 years ago
Take care in using a double boiler method for melting the chocolate - water is the enemy of chocolate - unless one wants the seizing chunks. LOL. Nice recipe.
Reply 4 years ago
I melted the chocolate and butter in the microwave, stirring at 30 second intervals until it was smooth.
Reply 4 years ago
Yes, the microwave method works better and that's how my sister's chocolate shop did their chocolates
Reply 4 years ago
So true! Thanks for the tip!
4 years ago
I didn't know that the name of "fondant au chocolat" was lava cake in English. They look so good. I think I will try to do them this week end. Thanks
Reply 4 years ago
I didn't know it was called "fondant au chocolat" haha. You're welcome I hope you enjoy it!
Reply 4 years ago
"Fondant au Chocolat" is more of a soft chocolate center. While the "Lava CAke" is more fluid and will flow out from the cake. Similar, but not the same.
Reply 4 years ago
Thank you for the precision. You are right, I have confounded Fondant au Chocolat with Moelleux au chocolat which is the right translation.
Reply 4 years ago
Ah that makes sense! Thanks =)
4 years ago
Those clear ramekins are so awesome! Also saving this recipe because the cakes look perfect :D
Reply 4 years ago
4 and 8oz clear ramekins if you're interested - https://www.amazon.com/Duralex-France-4-Ounce-Glass-Ramekin/dp/B002IVTYDI/ref=sr_1_52?keywords=ramiken&qid=1552938215&s=gateway&sr=8-52&th=1
Reply 4 years ago
Thanks Jessy, I just picked them up recently from home goods :-) Hope you enjoy!
4 years ago
I love this! I want some. Well done. :) I've never seen clear ramekins before-- want those too :)
Reply 4 years ago
https://www.amazon.com/Duralex-France-4-Ounce-Glas...
There is a 4oz and an 8oz clear ramekins, for a decent price.
Reply 4 years ago
Thanks! I picked them up from Homegoods, maybe you can find them there.
4 years ago
I have always wanted to make these and you make it sound so easy and doable, Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Reply 4 years ago
You're very welcome! I hope you enjoy it :-)