Indulge in a decadent dessert with Chef John's Chocolate Lava Cake recipe

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Indulge in a decadent dessert with Chef John's Chocolate Lava Cake recipe
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
40mins
Category:
Recipe by Administrator
Published on April 30, 2024

This rich and indulgent chocolate lava cake is a perfect treat for chocolate lovers. With a gooey molten center encased in a soft and tender cake exterior, every bite is a taste of heaven. Follow this easy recipe to create a restaurant-quality dessert at home.

Ingredients

  • 6 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Powdered sugar and fresh berries for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F and grease four 6-ounce ramekins.
  2. Melt chocolate and butter together in a bowl over simmering water. Stir until smooth and let cool slightly.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
  4. Fold in the chocolate mixture. Sift in flour and salt, folding until just combined.
  5. Divide batter among ramekins and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the center is still soft.
  6. Let cool for 1 minute before running a knife around the edges and inverting onto a plate.
  7. Dust with powdered sugar, top with berries, and serve immediately.

Interesting Facts

  • Chocolate lava cake is also known as molten chocolate cake or molten lava cake.
  • The dessert was popularized in the 1980s and has since become a classic on restaurant menus.
  • The key to a perfect lava cake is timing - the center should be molten but the edges set.