Jul 14 2026

Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

Time30m
Serves4

Warm chocolate cake with a molten center served with vanilla ice cream

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Cake Ingredients

Serving Ingredients

Method

Cake Preparation

  1. 1

    Preheat the Oven

    Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to ensure it's hot enough when you bake the cakes.

  2. 2

    Melt Chocolate and Butter

    In a heatproof bowl, combine the dark chocolate and unsalted butter. Melt them together over a pot of simmering water (double boiler) or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring until smooth.

  3. 3

    Mix Sugar and Eggs

    In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, large eggs, and large egg yolks until well combined and slightly thickened.

  4. 4

    Combine Mixtures

    Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract and mix until fully combined.

  5. 5

    Add Dry Ingredients

    Sift the all-purpose flour and salt into the chocolate mixture. Gently fold until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

  6. 6

    Prepare Ramekins

    Grease four ramekins with butter and dust with a little flour or cocoa powder to prevent sticking.

  7. 7

    Fill Ramekins

    Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins, filling each about 3/4 full.

  8. 8

    Bake

    Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are firm but the center is soft.

  9. 9

    Cool and Serve

    Let the cakes cool for 1 minute before carefully running a knife around the edges. Invert each ramekin onto a plate and gently lift off. Serve immediately with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

More from Abel Brown Southern Kitchen & Oyster Bar