Easy Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe – Gooey Molten Chocolate Center, Perfect for Any Occasion
Let’s talk about chocolate—because honestly, is there anything better than a rich, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth Chocolate Lava Cake? Nope. Absolutely not. And the best part? This Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe is so easy, you don’t need to be a pro baker to nail it. If you love Chocolate Dishes, this one’s gonna be your new fave.
As a mom of three, I live for Easy Baking Recipes Desserts that feel fancy but don’t require a ton of effort. This Easy Lava Cake Recipe is just that—super simple, fun baking, and made with ingredients you probably already have. Whether you call it Lava Cake, Lava Cakes, Choc Lava Cake, or Individual Lava Cakes, this little chocolate miracle is pure molten chocolate heaven.

You can make these as Mini Chocolate Lava Cakes, Mini Molten Lava Cakes, or even do a DIY Lava Cake in a mug (yup, Mug Recipes are a whole vibe). And if you’ve ever had Molten Lava Brownies or Molten Lava Cakes at a restaurant, just know that this homemade version is way better.
So if you’re craving Molten Lava Cake, grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and let’s make some magic. Trust me, this is one Lava Cake Recipe you’re gonna wanna keep forever!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Takes like 20 minutes total – Because ain’t nobody got time for complicated desserts.
- Minimal ingredients – Just 6 basic things you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Perfect for any occasion – Date night, birthdays, or just a random Tuesday when you need chocolate therapy.
Alright, let’s get into it!
What You’ll Need

Here’s the super simple ingredient list:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 4 oz dark chocolate (semi-sweet or bittersweet, whatever makes you happy)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 egg yolks (just separate ’em from the whites)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- A pinch of salt
- Powdered sugar & berries (optional, but makes it look real fancy)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Set your oven to 425°F. That’s pretty hot, so it bakes fast! Grease 4 ramekins (or muffin tins) with butter, then dust with a little cocoa powder. This keeps the cakes from sticking, so you get that perfect lava flow.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate

In a microwave-safe bowl, toss in the butter and chocolate. Heat in 20-second bursts, stirring in between, until smooth and melted. Be careful not to burn it—chocolate is sensitive like that.
Step 3: Mix the Eggs & Sugar
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar until it looks light and a little frothy. Basically, you’re just mixing till it’s all combined and slightly fluffy.
Step 4: Combine Everything

Now, pour that dreamy melted chocolate into the egg mixture and stir gently. Don’t go crazy—just mix till it’s smooth.
Step 5: Add the Flour & Salt
Sprinkle in the flour and salt, then fold it in. Again, gentle is the name of the game. Overmixing = no gooey center, and we do not want that.

Step 6: Bake the Lava Cakes

Divide the batter between your ramekins, then pop them in the oven for 10–12 minutes. Here’s the trick: the edges should look set, but the middle should still be soft and a little jiggly. That’s the magic moment when the lava effect happens.
Step 7: Flip & Serve
Once they’re out of the oven, let them sit for 1 minute (trust me, don’t skip this or they’ll fall apart). Then, run a knife around the edges and flip them onto a plate. If all goes well, you’ll have a perfect little cake with that gooey, chocolatey goodness inside.
Dust with powdered sugar, throw some berries on there if you’re feelin’ fancy, and serve immediately.
Pro Tips (Because We All Need a Little Help)
- Timing is everything! If you bake too long, the center won’t be lava-y (still delicious tho). Too short, and you’ll have straight-up chocolate batter.
- Make-ahead option: You can actually prep the batter, pour it into the ramekins, and stick them in the fridge. When you’re ready, just bake as usual—easy peasy.
- No ramekins? Muffin tins work too! Just grease ’em well and adjust the bake time slightly (check them at 9 minutes).
FAQs – Chocolate Lava Cake Edition
What makes Chocolate Lava Cake “lava” inside?
The magic happens because the cake is partially baked—the edges get firm, but the center stays gooey and melty. It’s basically half cake, half chocolate sauce, and 100% delicious.
What’s the best chocolate to use?
Dark or semi-sweet chocolate works best for that rich, deep flavor. If you love extra sweetness, you can use milk chocolate, but it might be a little too runny inside.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yep! Just mix the batter, pour it into your ramekins (or muffin tins), and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, pop them straight into the oven—just add an extra minute or two to the bake time.
How do I know when they’re done?
Absolutely! If you love mug recipes, try microwaving the batter in a greased mug for 45–60 seconds. It won’t be exactly the same, but still super gooey and delicious.
Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe Card

Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Grease 4 ramekins with butter and dust with cocoa powder.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, egg yolks, and sugar until slightly frothy.
- Stir the melted chocolate into the egg mixture.
- Gently fold in flour and salt until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly into ramekins.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly.
- Let cakes sit for 1 minute, then carefully run a knife around the edges.
- Flip onto a plate, dust with powdered sugar, and serve with berries or ice cream.
Notes
- Don’t overbake! The center should still be gooey.
- Make ahead – Prep the batter and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- No ramekins? Use muffin tins—just check at 9 minutes for doneness.
And that’s it, my fellow chocolate lovers—the easiest, most drool-worthy Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe you’ll ever make! Seriously, if you’ve never made a DIY Lava Cake before, you’re about to wonder why you waited this long. This is one of those Easy Baking Recipes Desserts that feels fancy, but it’s actually super simple. Perfect for a quick treat, special occasions, or just because the craving for Molten Chocolate Lava Cake hits hard.
Whether you make Mini Chocolate Lava Cakes, Mini Molten Lava Cakes, or even go rogue with a Mug Recipe, this Easy Lava Cake Recipe is always a win. And trust me, once you see that Molten Lava center ooze out, you’ll be making these on repeat. My kids legit think I’m a baking wizard every time I serve these up, and honestly, I’m not correcting them.
So go ahead, grab your ingredients, and treat yourself to the most chocolatey, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth dessert ever. Because life’s too short to skip the Lava Cake! And if you try this, let me know—did you go classic Chocolate Lava Cakes, or did you mix it up with Molten Lava Brownies? Either way, I know it’s gonna be amazing. Happy baking!