Easy Lava Cakes are a rich chocolate cake, filled with warm, soft, gooey molten "lava" pudding like chocolate center. An easy to make special occasion treat or just because.
Using spray oil, spray four ramekins (6 or 8 oz size) well with baking spray.
Dust ramekins with cocoa powder, turning until entire ramekin is dusted in cocoa powder. Or spray and dust 6 cups in a 12 cup muffin tin.
Preheat oven to 425°.
Coarsely chop chocolate and cold butter. Place butter first in medium microwave safe bowl, then place chopped chocolate on top. Heat in 30 seconds, stir well, then another 30 seconds, stirring really well.
If another heating is needed, heat for 20 seconds and stir until melted until completely smooth. Set aside and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes while prepping rest of ingredients.
In a small bowl, whisk flour, powdered sugar and salt together. Set aside.
In another small bowl, crack 2 whole eggs and 2 egg yolks, whisk until thick and combined.
Pour flour/sugar mixture along with eggs into the bowl of chocolate and stir gently until smooth. If needed, use whisk and gently whisk until smooth. The batter will be thick!
Pour or spoon batter into prepared ramekins or muffin* tins evenly. Place ramekins onto a baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes until sides are solid (dull) and centers are soft (glossy). If baking in muffin tins, only bake 8-10 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool for 1 minute. Cover ramekin with serving plate and invert (using a hot pad, ramekins will be hot) upside down onto plate. Shake or jiggle gently if not easily coming out. If you used a muffin pan, use a spoon to gently release the cake from tin and invert onto serving plate.
Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a scoop of your favorite ice cream, berries or chocolate syrup. Serve the gooey-chocolatey deliciousness immediately.
Video
Notes
Can I Use Chocolate Chips?Chocolate chips may be used, they will not yield quite as gooey of center as chopped chocolate will, but they work nicely in a pinch. If using chocolate chips, splurge for high quality chocolate chips. Can I Make Chocolate Lava Cakes ahead of time and or freeze baked cakes? Make up the batter ahead of time, store in fridge and when ready, pour or spoon the batter into prepared ramekins* and bake according to directions.Freeze | Bake the lava cakes, cool completely, wrapping in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, allow to thaw at room temp for 20-30 minutes, then reheat in microwave for 20-30 seconds until warmed through.*Be careful if you pour into ramekins and refrigerate and then go straight into the oven, many glass products will shatter with big temperature changes. If you pour into ramekins and store in fridge, then remove and allow to come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before baking.This recipe was adapted from Sally's Baking Addiction.