Chocolate Molten Cakes – Also known as a chocolate lava cake, these little cakes have a soft and fudgy crumb and an irresistibly gooey centre. The ultimate individual chocolate desserts!

Chocolate Molten Cakes

Chocolate Molten Cakes

One of my all-time favourite chocolate desserts has to be the Chocolate Molten Cake (also known as a Chocolate Lava Cake).  I just cannot resist that runny chocolate centre!

My Chocolate Molten Cakes are super quick and easy to make, and are totally irresistible. You only need 6 simple ingredients, and in just over 30 minutes, you’ll have yourself the ultimate chocolate dessert.

Serve these little cakes warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and nobody will be able to resist.

Looking for more chocolate desserts? See my Chocolate Sheet Cake, No-Bake Double Chocolate Cheesecake, and my Dark Chocolate Orange Tart.

Chocolate Molten Cakes
Chocolate Molten Cakes

Ingredients you’ll need

Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need to make these cakes. You can find my recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list with their amounts.

  • Dark chocolate: Choose the brand you love and enjoy eating on its own. I love Lindt.
  • Unsalted butter
  • Large eggs: You’ll want 2 large eggs, plus 2 large egg yolks.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Icing OR powdered sugar
  • Plain OR all-purpose flour

How to make Chocolate Molten Cakes

To make these cakes, simply start by adding the chocolate and butter to a large microwave-safe bowl and heating in 20 second intervals, stirring after each one, until melted and smooth.

Add the eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla, and whisk until combined. Add the icing sugar and flour, and whisk until smooth and combined. The mixture should be slightly thick and gloopy.

Divide the mixture between four greased 4-oz ramekins. Bake for 12 – 14 minutes, or until the sides of the cakes are firm, and the centres are still soft and gooey.

TIP: To grease the ramekins, I like to use a cake-release formula like Wilton or PME. Alternatively, you can grease and coat your ramekins lightly in cocoa powder.

Carefully run a knife around the edges of each cake, then turn them out onto serving plates. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream.

The printable recipe card with the full list of ingredients, their measurements, and instructions can be found at the bottom of this post.

NOTE: For best results, I highly recommend using the gram measurements (with a digital scale), rather than the cup measurements. Cup measurements are simply not accurate enough, and I cannot guarantee the best results if you use them.

Chocolate Molten Cakes
Chocolate Molten Cakes

These Chocolate Molten Cakes are:

  • super quick and easy to throw together
  • made with only 6 simple ingredients
  • deliciously rich and indulgent
  • the ULTIMATE chocolate dessert

Want to make these cakes ahead of time? Simply prepare the pudding and divide between the ramekins. Cover tightly with clingfilm and keep refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready to serve.

Don’t have any ramekins? You can use a muffin pan! This recipe should yield about 6 cakes if using a muffin pan. Bake for about 8 – 10 minutes.

Tried this recipe?

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and hashtag it #simplybakeblog. I’d love to see!

By the way, you can totally enjoy these lava cakes straight from the ramekins… ↓

Chocolate Molten Cakes

Try these delicious cakes next!

Craving more sweet treats? Subscribe to my newsletter to receive recipe updates straight to your inbox. You can also keep up to date on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Originally Published: February, 2016 | Updated: July, 2019

let’s make

Chocolate Molten Cakes

Also known as a chocolate lava cake, these little cakes have a soft and fudgy crumb and an irresistibly gooey centre. The ultimate individual chocolate desserts!
Author: Marsha
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 34 minutes
Yields: 4 cakes

Ingredients

  • 4 oz (115g) dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs + 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (125g) icing/powdered sugar
  • ½ cup (62g) plain/all-purpose flour

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7. Grease four 4-oz ramekins, and place them on a baking tray.
  • Add the chocolate and butter to a large microwave-safe bowl and heat in 20 second intervals, stirring after each one, until melted and smooth.
  • Add the eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla, and whisk until combined. Add the icing sugar and flour, and whisk until smooth and combined.
  • Divide the mixture between the prepared ramekins. Bake for 12 – 14 minutes, or until the sides of the cakes are firm, and the centres are still soft and gooey.
  • Carefully run a knife around the edges of each cake, then turn them out onto serving plates. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream.

Video

Recipe Notes

Make ahead of time: Simply prepare the pudding and divide between the ramekins. Cover tightly with clingfilm and keep refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready to serve.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1cakeCalories: 629kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 10gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 296mgSodium: 84mgFiber: 2gSugar: 45g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe:




47 Comments

    1. I’m afraid results may differ, as rice flour doesn’t absorb liquid and fat like plain/all-purpose flour. But if you do test it out, please let me know how it goes!

      Reply

    1. I’ve never tried this recipe in a regular sized pan, so I can’t say. And yes, you can reheat these cakes when ready to serve. You can also keep the cake mixture covered in the fridge overnight, and bake them the next day.

      Reply

  4. Oh my YUM! This may just be my most favorite thing on your site…and I’ve loved everything you’ve posted!! I must make these soon! That oozing chocolate is calling my name!!! ❤️

    Reply

  5. Wow. These look amazing! Molten and chocolate are two words that are always great together. I think it’s great that you can make these ahead and store them in the fridge before baking. And I can’t believe they’re done in thirty minutes! Awesome.

    Reply

  7. Oh, this looks so good. I have always wanted to make something like this, but was always afraid I would not make it right and would be dissapointed. I really have to just do it, the way you do it seems so easy.

    Reply

  11. Your cake looks amazing with oozing molten centers.. This delicious chocolate cake is my wife’s favorite, I make it every year on her birthday or special occasion. There is not a more romantic food than chocolate is my honest opinion.

    Reply

  13. Oh my oh my oh my…… I loveeeeee molten chocolate cake!!!!! This seems doable for a no baking experience person like me . Gonna be trying this. Saw this in foodgawker and somehow I knew it was you.

    Reply

  17. I didn’t think I was going to make it past the first picture! I just sat there staring and drooling for a bit. 🙂 Not only do these look fantastic, I love the concept of being able to pre-make them in advance and prep them for baking. Such a great recipe! 🙂

    Reply

  19. I think Muna has the right idea. I want to put ALL those things you recommended on these! Though they look so rich and gorgeous I imagine they really stand on their own too.

    These are so pretty and the fact that you can make them in advance would make them so perfect for serving to guests! Pinning to do just that.

    Reply

  21. Oh my gosh you’ve made the notoriously tricky molten lava cake look SO easy! My OH made me a molten lava cake for Valentines Day a few years ago and I’ve never returned the favour because I thought I would fail. You’ve given me the confidence to treat him 🙂 lets hope they come out as well as yours!

    Reply

  22. These look so perfect! All that gooey chocolaty pudding oozing out – seriously trying hard not to lick my screen. And I’m with you, doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day to indulge in a special chocolate treat – especially one this easy! Yum!

    Reply

  23. You won’t believe how crazy I am! I’m looking at your molten cake and thinking “I will add two scoops ice cream, and drizzle caramel sauce, maybe add some chopped walnuts…” LOL, your cake made me day dream 🙂

    Reply