Chef John's Chocolate Lava Cake

Individual molten chocolate cakes are easy to make--and will impress any dinner guest!

Rated 4.2 from 161 votes

Prep Time

Total Time

1H15M

Servings

4 servings

What You Need

butter as needed

2 egg yolks

2 eggs

3 tablespoons white sugar

3 1/2 ounces chopped dark chocolate

5 tablespoons butter

4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

3 tablespoons flour

1 pinch salt

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

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

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

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

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

Sift cocoa powder into the mixture; stir to combine.

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

Stir vanilla extract into the batter.

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

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

Refrigerate 30 minutes.

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

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.

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

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