Chef John's Chocolate Lava Cake

Legend has it that this dessert was the result of a major catering disaster. The dessert for this particular event was to be individual chocolate cakes, but someone took them out of the ovens too soon and the centers were not cooked enough and still liquefied. Well, there was no time to take them off the plates and bake them more, so the chef simply had his wait staff introduce the dessert as Chocolate 'Lava' Cake! Brilliant!

• Preparation Time: 5 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 30 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
• ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons flour
• butter as needed
• 3 ½ ounces chopped dark chocolate

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Generously butter the inside of 4 (5 1/2 ounce) ramekins. Place them in a casserole dish.

Step 3

Whisk together egg yolks, eggs, and sugar in a bowl until light, foamy, and lemon colored.

Step 4

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

Step 5

Stir melted chocolate mixture into egg and sugar mixture until combined.

Step 6

Sift cocoa powder into the mixture; stir to combine.

Step 7

Sift flour and salt into the mixture; stir to combine into a batter.

Step 8

Stir vanilla extract into the batter.

Step 9

Transfer batter to a resealable plastic bag. Snip one corner of the bag with scissors to create a tip.

Step 10

Divide batter evenly between the prepared ramekins; tap gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.

Step 11

Refrigerate 30 minutes.

Step 12

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

Step 13

Bake in the preheated over for 15-18 minutes. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes.

Step 14

Loosen the edges from the ramekin with a knife. Invert each cake onto a plate and dust with powdered sugar.