Chocolate Lava Cake or Molten Chocolate Cake is everybody’s favorite, they look impressive and are super easy to make. The cake whips up in a few minutes and there’s no decoration to worry about.
Molten lava cakes are the king of chocolate desserts. It’s a favorite of both kids and adults and will be sure to impress your guests and loved ones. They make a delicious dessert or Valentine’s day treat!
The best part of this recipe is that it is egg-free and made up of whole wheat flour. This recipe is slightly different than the traditional choco lava cake which is usually made using egg and melted butter. Use good quality chocolate and cocoa powder for making this recipe. I will recommend using bittersweet chocolate to get the molten lava effect and texture. These Chocolate Lava Cakes emerges perfectly every time with a beautiful stream of silky chocolate you will want to lick from the plate!
I still remember the day when I first time made this cake in 2017, my son was only 5 months old and he had recently started exploring food. I have made these chocolate lava cake to surprise my husband and once they were ready I asked my husband to taste them without wasting any time otherwise they will cool down fast. (Yes! These cakes taste best when they are warm and hot chocolate oozes out from it).
We both were so busy eating those warm, oozing, liquid chocolate cake that we totally forgot our son who was sitting in his highchair and was looking at us. OMG, the look on his face I can’t forget his expressions, we both busted with a laugh. Then we introduced this chocolate cake to him and he was like.. ” Mumma I need more of this .. it’s far better than milk and I am a big boy now :). He got his love at first bite since then it became his favorite dessert.
Let’s start making this tempting, chocolatey, and delightful cupcake without wasting any time. You can make this super simple cake in the oven, air fryer, or simply steam them over the stove-top. Alternatively, you may pour them in a mug and microwave it. To save time I have baked them in the air fryer for a quick and easy dessert.
To make Chocolate Lava Cake at home follow the detailed step by step recipe posted below.
Do try other dessert recipes :
- Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes
- Almond Coconut Cookies
- Thumbprint Cookies
- Cherry Ice Cream
- Bounty Bars
- Strawberry Jam
- Mango Ice Cream
- Strawberry Lassi
Preparation Time: 10mins ∏ Baking Time: 10-12 mins ∏ Servings: 3-4 cupcakes
Level: Beginners (Easy) ∏ Measurement: 1 Cup ≡ 250 ml ≡ 250gm
Ingredients Checklist:
Dry Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
Other Ingredients
How to make Chocolate Lava Cake
Step1: Chop/break the good quality chocolate into small chunks.
Step2: Generously apply butter and dust 3 (4 oz) ramekins with all-purpose flour and cocoa powder. Set aside.
Step3: For the wet mixture, in a large bowl add 1/2 cup chilled water, 3 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice, or vinegar. (Do use cold water for best result.)
Step4: Add 1/3 cup fine sugar or powdered sugar.
Step5: Using a spoon or a wired whisk mix very well until the sugar is dissolved.
Step6: Once done, keep this aside.
Step7: Take a mixing bowl and keep a sieve on top of it. Add 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or 1/2 cup Maida), 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1/2 tablespoon instant coffee powder (optional), 1 pinch salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.
Step8: Sift the dry ingredients in the bowl. Gently tap the side repeatedly until all of the flour has passed through the strainer. You may need to help the last little bit get through the holes—just move it around with a spoon.
Step9: Now slowly add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in parts.
Step10: Using a wired whisk, stir and mix well until just combined. As in all cakes, you never want to over-mix or the gluten in the flour will make the cake dense and tough. So do not over mix the batter.
Step11: Prepare a smooth batter. The batter for this lava cake recipe has medium-thin consistency.
Step12: Spoon batter into ramekins. I like to use a measuring cup to make sure the batter gets evenly divided. If your batter isn’t evenly portioned, the Chocolate Lava Cakes will bake unevenly.
Step13: Place chocolate squares in the batter. I have used 70% cocoa bittersweet chocolate. For achieving the perfect lava texture make sure to use good quality couverture or compound chocolate which are meant for baking.
Step14: Using a fork/spoon/whisk lightly press them so that they get immersed in the batter.
Step15: Place in the air fryer basket and cook at 375 deg F for 8-10 minutes. Alternatively, bake them in a preheated oven at 425 deg F for 12-14 mins until the tops are set and look shiny on top.
Step16: Once done air frying, use a clean thick dish towel to remove ramekins from the air fryer basket. Allow cake to cool in a ramekin for about 1-2 minutes (No longer). If the lava cakes are left in the ramekins any longer you risk a nonexistent lava center. Gently loosen cakes from ramekins by sliding a knife around the edges of each cake; then invert cakes onto serving plates.
Step17: Serve immediately. Dust Chocolate Lava Cakes with powdered sugar (optional) or any toppings of your choice like Berries, Vanilla ice cream, caramel or whipped cream, etc. Choco lava cakes have to be served hot or warm. Once they cool, the molten chocolate solidifies.
Tips:
- You can substitute bittersweet chocolate with semisweet chocolate if you prefer a sweeter dessert. However, DO NOTsubstitute chocolate chips for the chopped chocolate; chocolate chips have an emulsifier in them that helps them keep their shape, which inhibits their ability to totally melt into that “lava” or “molten” consistency.
- If you don’t have ramekins, you can divide the batter in a muffin tin. The bake time will be slightly shorter, so begin checking sooner. To remove them, carefully use a fork to lift them up, then invert onto plates.
- Depending on the size of muffin cups, you will get less or more number of choco lava cakes.
- Always use a good quality cocoa powder and chocolate. Do use couverture chocolate instead of compound chocolate.
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