Description
Indulge in rich, gooey Chocolate Lava Cakes with a molten center that oozes warm dark chocolate with every bite. This quick and easy dessert combines melted dark chocolate and butter with whipped eggs and sugar to create a light, airy cake exterior while maintaining a deliciously soft interior. Perfect for a decadent treat to impress guests or satisfy your sweet tooth in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate and Butter
- 200 g dark chocolate
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
Batter
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: Gently melt the dark chocolate and unsalted butter together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently until the mixture is smooth. Let it cool slightly to avoid scrambling the eggs in the next step.
- Whisk Eggs, Sugar, and Vanilla: In a separate large bowl, vigorously whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened, incorporating air to achieve a light texture.
- Combine Chocolate Mixture: Carefully fold the cooled chocolate and butter mixture into the beaten eggs, mixing gently to combine while preserving the airy texture needed for a soft cake.
- Add Flour: Sift in the all-purpose flour and gently fold it into the batter just until fully incorporated. Avoid overmixing to retain the molten center characteristic of these cakes.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Pour the batter evenly into greased or lined ramekins. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are firm but the center remains soft and gooey.
- Serve Immediately: Remove the cakes from the oven and serve warm right away to enjoy the molten chocolate center at its best.
Notes
- Use good-quality dark chocolate for the richest flavor.
- Do not overbake to preserve the molten center; timing is crucial.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or fresh berries for an added touch.
- You can prepare the batter ahead of time and refrigerate it, then bake directly from the fridge adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: chocolate lava cake, molten chocolate cake, molten center dessert, easy chocolate dessert, rich chocolate cake, quick chocolate cake
