This Molten Chocolate Lava Cake recipe is one of the easiest and most decadent desserts to make at home! Only a few ingredients needed that you probably already have on hand!
Man are Lava Cakes good. So good, in fact, that we made them two days in a row-by my family’s request. When you dig into these little cakes, the center oozes out warm fudgy heavenly goodness. It’s especially delicious with ice cream!
Chocolate Lava Cake
If you’ve never had a lava cake before, you are in for a treat. I first tried this recipe when I was in college and after the first bite, I knew I needed the recipe. So, a few years went by and I completely forgot about it UNTIL my old roommate, Brandielle, posted it on the Pioneer Woman’s site and I found it! These are not so good for my thunder thigh situation. But, that’s not your problem.
SO! If you’re looking for your chocolate fix, this will certainly fit the bill!
If lava cakes aren’t your thing, give my perfect chocolate cake a recipe with accompanying frosting. It’s one of my most popular recipes!
Lava Cake Recipe Ingredients
These cakes are DANGEROUS in my house because I always always always have the ingredients on hand.
- Chocolate – Use semi-sweet baking squares, but if you don’t have those I have a good substitute down below in the recipe card (regular chocolate chips!).
- Eggs – Two whole eggs and two egg yolks to be exact.
- Butter – An essential baking ingredient that is also found in this recipe.
- Powdered Sugar and All-Purpose Flour – For sweetness and structure!
How to Make Lava Cake
{For measurements and times see the recipe card below}
- Preheat oven. Spray 4 custard cups with non-stick cooking spray and place on a baking sheet. (If you don’t have custard cups you can use a muffin tin!)
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour. Divide evenly between baking dishes.
- Bake until sides are firm and center is soft. Let stand before removing. Serve warm with ice cream or Whipped Cream.
Make-Ahead
Prepare the batter up to 2 days in advance to make Lava Cakes ahead of time! But be sure to let the batter come to room temperature before baking.
Freezing
Freeze baked lava cakes for up to 3 months! Reheat in the microwave but don’t overdo it, you still want the center to be runny.
More Cake Recipe to Drool Over!
- Chocolate Cake Extreme
- Perfect Chocolate Cake
- Flourless Chocolate Cake with Almond Whipped Cream
- Chocolate Birthday Cake with Peanut Butter Glaze
Voila! That’s it! Enjoy your Molten Chocolate Lava Cake and the printable recipe card below!
Molten Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate baking squares equals 2/3 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 6 tablespoons flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray 4 custard cups with non-stick cooking spray and place on a baking sheet.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour. Divide evenly between baking dishes.
- Bake 13-15 minutes until sides are firm and center is soft. Let stand 1 minute before removing. Serve warm with ice cream.
Barbara Bakes says
I'm bookmarking this so the next time I'm craving chocolate and don't know what to make I can whip these up!
Erin Johnson says
These are AMAZING! They are also dangerous cuz i always have these ingredients I’ve made them 3 times in the last week! Rob and I are in heaven!!!!
Susan says
All-purpose or self-rising flour?
Noelle P says
Found you from Google.. I made this recipe last night for a girls night treat, it was amazing! (And so simple!) Thanks for posting 🙂
Daisy says
This is absolutely gorgeous. My family loves chocolate and this lava cake deserves to be in our table for Thanksgiving. Thanks for the idea!
Catherine Freed says
Can’t wait to try it.
Carol Weaver says
I’ve tried repeatively to print this recipe from the printable copy but I get everything but the ingredients and directions!
Is anyone else having this problem?
Chanele says
This looks so good! I love to bake and have never made one of these before! I will have to try it!
Marilyn Brennan says
I remember from when you made them at our house. They were to die for!!!
Andrew Harvey says
I want to make these as a surprise for my wife, but which is the best flour to use, plain or self raising?
Lauren says
Plain aka All purpose.
Andrew Harvey says
Much easier to make than I anticipated and were delicious. Have been told by the wife to make them again soon.
Skye R. says
This looks heavenly!! I need to make this ASAP!
Lesley Baltimore says
I made these and they are delicious, easy to make and they look as if I had a pastry chef at my house!
Lauren Mueller says
I have been dying to try this molten lava cake! I’ve made a couple of your recipes and they are always fantastic! Yum!
Deborah Salava says
Making this for New Years Eve!
Cynthia Stuckey says
I LOVE Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Amy Heinle says
After making these once, my husband is obsessed….he requests them for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Sharon says
Looks divine!
Laurie Scarcello says
Made these and my guests raved about them and asked for recipe and I was glad to share it and introduce them to your wonderful website.
Shannon Wickstrom says
These look incredible! Trying to figure out how the chocolate stays liquid inside and the cake bakes around it. Guess I should try them out for our Christmas dinner this year! =)
MARGARITA CANO says
I am going to try this out and submit in a contest…wish me luck
MARGARITA CANO says
I am entering this in a make-shift contest.
Anne Pik says
Yum! Chocolaty heaven! I’ve made this a few times and it’s always a hit & the recipe is requested. Merry Christmas Lauren & family!
Andrea Smith says
I can’t wait to try these! Love your recipes:)
Cassie says
These are SO good! My family raved about them! It’s too bad they are so easy and use ingredients I always have on hand – going to have to practice some self restraint!
Rachel J says
I am going to try these for new years this year!
Sandy Mosser says
I made this over the weekend. It was a hit. I topped mine with whip cream and then put some homemade peppermint brittle on top for decoration. It was a hit! And, super easy to make
Chris Baker Cox says
These always look so good, buy I have never tried making them. Seems fairly easy to make.
Annette says
I definitely need to make these for Christmas dinner. Yummy
Ceil G. says
I’ve just gotta make this. A chocolate lover here. Yum!
Shweta says
I have been wanting to do this cake for a long time.I tried it on the weekend n it was easy n very delicious. The perfect dessert for cold Canadian winters.
Bianca T says
so dangerous to have the ability to make these at home!!
Aimee Porter says
This is making my mouth water! I have decided to serve this for dessert on Christmas Eve. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Amy S says
Molten chocolate lava cakes are my weakness!
Sandy Hunter says
I really love lava cakes. Anxious to try this!
Danielle says
I’ve always wanted to try making molten lava cake and this looks delicious! Seems a lot more simple to make than I would have thought too!
Leah says
This looks amazing! I’m a sucker for anything chocolate. Can’t wait to try it! And the picture is perfect!
Sharon says
would i be able to make the batter ahead of time and then bake when ready to serve? (Possibly 4-5 hours prior to baking)
Lauren says
Yes!
Sarah says
What size custard cups do you use? These look delicious!
Jessica Lee says
I desperately want to make these, but am nervous they will be as delicious as they look ????
Jessi says
I would love to make these for Valentine’s Day. What size custard cups did you use?
Lauren says
6 or 8 oz. are fine, but honestly, any small dish will do! I’ve even made these in really well greased muffin tins. Just reduce or increase the baking time as needed.
Tammy roark says
Oh I’m going to have to try this! Looks great!
Robin says
Yep. Definitely making these tomorrow for Valentine’s Day.
Amanda Shrock says
This looks so yummy! Im gonna try making them soon 🙂
Cassie says
These are soooo good! And way too easy to make. Thanks for another great recipe!
Leah says
Turned out perfectly! I will definitely be making them again. Thank you for the recipe!
Karen says
Could you use dark chocolate instead of the semisweet chocolate if you wanted to?
Lauren says
sure!
Karen says
Thanks!
Cheryl says
Can you reheat these in the microwave upon serving? Looks delicious!
Lauren says
Yes, just don’t overdo it so you keep the center runny 🙂