Chef John's Chocolate Lava Cake

This chocolate lava cake recipe makes 4 individual molten chocolate desserts with gooey, oozing centers perfect for chocolate lovers in your life!

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 394 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 0.125 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3.5 ounces chopped dark chocolate

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Step 2

Melt chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until melted, stirring after each interval, 1 to 3 minutes.

Step 3

Stir melted chocolate mixture into egg and sugar mixture until combined. Sift in cocoa powder and stir to combine. Sift in flour and salt; stir to combine into a batter. Stir in vanilla.

Step 4

Transfer batter to a resealable plastic bag. Snip off one corner of the bag with scissors to create a tip. Divide batter evenly between the prepared ramekins; gently tap ramekins on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.

Step 6

Loosen the edges from each ramekin with a knife. Invert cakes onto serving plates and dust with powdered sugar.

Step 7

Generously butter the insides of four 5 ½-ounce ramekins.

Step 8

Whisk egg yolks, eggs, and sugar together in a bowl with an electric mixer until foamy and lighter in color.

Step 9

Arrange chilled ramekins in a casserole dish. Pour enough warm tap water into the casserole dish to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins.