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Ingredients for Chocolate Lava Cake including dark chocolate, butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa powder, and salt arranged neatly on a kitchen counter.

Chocolate Lava Cake

A decadent Chocolate Lava Cake with a soft, molten chocolate center and a delicate outer layer. Perfect for dessert lovers, this recipe is simple yet impressive, ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French, International
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

  • 120 g dark chocolate (70%)
  • 100 g unsalted butter (plus extra for greasing)
  • 100 g granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 50 g all-purpose flour
  • 5 g cocoa powder (for dusting ramekins)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: vanilla ice cream or fresh berries for serving

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Heatproof bowl & saucepan (double boiler) or microwave
  • Ramekins (4 small)
  • Baking tray

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Grease 4 ramekins with butter and dust with cocoa powder.
  2. Melt chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (or microwave in 30-second bursts). Stir until smooth.
    Melting dark chocolate and butter in a glass bowl over a double boiler, the essential step for preparing Chocolate Lava Cake batter.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, yolks, and sugar until pale and thick.
    Whisking eggs and sugar in a clear bowl until pale and fluffy, an important preparation step for making Chocolate Lava Cake at home.
  4. Gently fold the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture.
  5. Sift in the flour and salt. Mix gently until just combined.
  6. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins.
    Chocolate Lava Cake batter being poured into four white ramekins dusted with cocoa powder, prepared for baking on a kitchen counter.
  7. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
  8. Remove from oven, rest for 1 minute, then carefully invert onto dessert plates.
  9. Serve immediately with vanilla ice cream or fresh berries.
    Chocolate Lava Cake served on a white plate with molten chocolate center, garnished with vanilla ice cream, fresh berries, and powdered sugar.

Notes

  • Do not overbake, or the molten center will set.
  • Batter can be prepared a few hours ahead and refrigerated; bake just before serving.
  • Dust with powdered sugar for extra presentation.