Chef John's Chocolate Lava Cake

4.2

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241 Reviews

88 Photos

Legend has it that the first chocolate lava cake was the result of a major catering disaster. The dessert for this particular event was to be individual chocolate cakes, but someone took them out of the oven too soon, and the centers were not cooked enough and still liquefied. There was no time to take them off the plates and bake them more, so the chef simply had his wait staff introduce the dessert as chocolate "lava" cakes — brilliant!

By

John Mitzewich

Updated on December 16, 2023

88

Prep Time:

30 mins

Cook Time:

20 mins

Additional Time:

45 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 35 mins

Servings:

4

Yield:

4 mini lava cakes

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

2 egg yolks
2 eggs
3 tablespoons white sugar
3 ½ ounces chopped dark chocolate
5 tablespoons butter
4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons flour
1 pinch salt
⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Generously butter the insides of four 5 1/2-ounce ramekins.
Whisk egg yolks, eggs, and sugar together in a bowl until light, foamy, and lemon colored.
Melt chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until melted, stirring after each interval, 1 to 3 minutes.
Stir melted chocolate mixture into egg and sugar mixture until combined. Sift in cocoa powder and stir to combine. Sift in flour and salt; stir to combine into a batter. Stir in vanilla.
Transfer batter to a resealable plastic bag. Snip off one corner of the bag with scissors to create a tip. Divide batter evenly between the prepared ramekins; gently tap ramekins on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Arrange chilled 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 oven for 15-18 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.
Loosen the edges from each ramekin with a knife. Invert cakes onto serving plates and dust with powdered sugar.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

394	Calories
29g	Fat
32g	Carbs
7g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 394
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 29g	37%
Saturated Fat 16g	82%
Cholesterol 241mg	80%
Sodium 207mg	9%
Total Carbohydrate 32g	12%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 7g	14%
Calcium 39mg	3%
Iron 2mg	9%
Potassium 155mg	3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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