Mini Chocolate Lava Cakes

Featured in: Breads & Sweet Bakes

These mini chocolate lava cakes feature a rich, bittersweet chocolate base blended with butter and eggs to create a smooth, luscious batter. Baked until the edges set and centers remain soft and molten, they offer the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Preparing them involves melting chocolate with butter, whisking eggs and sugar, folding in dry ingredients, and carefully baking in ramekins. Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar, or alongside fresh berries or vanilla ice cream for a sophisticated and comforting finish.

Updated on Sat, 13 Dec 2025 15:20:00 GMT
Warm and gooey center of a mini chocolate lava cake, ready to be devoured after baking. Save
Warm and gooey center of a mini chocolate lava cake, ready to be devoured after baking. | circuitbites.com

Decadent individual chocolate cakes with a warm, gooey molten center perfect for an elegant dessert or a comforting treat.

This recipe has become my go-to for special occasions because everyone loves the rich ooey gooey center that never fails to impress.

Ingredients

  • Chocolate Mixture: 120 g (4.25 oz) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate roughly chopped, 100 g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter plus extra for greasing
  • Batter: 2 large eggs, 2 large egg yolks, 90 g (scant 1/2 cup) granulated sugar, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, 40 g (1/3 cup) all-purpose flour, 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
  • For Serving (optional): Powdered sugar for dusting, Fresh berries or vanilla ice cream

Instructions

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Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Grease six 6-oz ramekins with butter and lightly dust with flour tapping out the excess.
Step 2:
In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water melt the chocolate and butter together stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Step 3:
In a mixing bowl whisk the eggs egg yolks sugar and vanilla until pale and thick about 2 minutes.
Step 4:
Gently fold the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until combined.
Step 5:
Sift in the flour and salt and fold gently until just incorporated do not overmix.
Step 6:
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins. Place ramekins on a baking sheet.
Step 7:
Bake for 11 13 minutes until the edges are set but the centers are still soft and slightly jiggly.
Step 8:
Let rest for 1 minute. Run a thin knife around the edges invert onto plates and serve immediately. Dust with powdered sugar and add berries or ice cream if desired.
Product image
Cook complete meals by frying, sautéing, simmering, and boiling with easy nonstick cleanup every day.
Check price on Amazon
Product image
Cook complete meals by frying, sautéing, simmering, and boiling with easy nonstick cleanup every day.
Check price on Amazon
Beautifully plated mini chocolate lava cakes, with powdered sugar dusting and fresh berries. Pin it
Beautifully plated mini chocolate lava cakes, with powdered sugar dusting and fresh berries. | circuitbites.com

My family enjoys sharing these cakes after dinner especially during holidays bringing a sweet ending to our celebrations.

Notes

For a flavored twist add a pinch of espresso powder or a splash of orange liqueur to the batter. Serve with fresh mint whipped cream or caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

Required Tools

6 ramekins (6 oz each) Heatproof mixing bowls Whisk Rubber spatula Baking sheet

Allergen Information

Contains eggs milk (butter) and gluten (wheat flour). May contain traces of nuts if chocolate is processed in facilities handling nuts. Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens.

Rich, dark, mini chocolate lava cakes, perfect for a romantic dessert or celebratory treat. Pin it
Rich, dark, mini chocolate lava cakes, perfect for a romantic dessert or celebratory treat. | circuitbites.com
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These mini chocolate lava cakes are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with their rich centers and elegant presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of chocolate works best?

Bittersweet or semisweet chocolate with 70% cocoa or higher enhances the deep, rich flavor of the cake.

How can I tell when the cakes are perfectly baked?

The edges should be firm while the center remains soft and slightly jiggly to achieve the molten texture.

Can I prepare the batter in advance?

Yes, the batter can be refrigerated before baking; just add 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

What are some serving suggestions?

Dust with powdered sugar and serve with fresh berries, vanilla ice cream, or whipped cream for added indulgence.

Are there any tips to enhance the flavor?

Adding a pinch of espresso powder or a splash of orange liqueur to the batter can provide an interesting flavor twist.

Mini Chocolate Lava Cakes

Delight in warm mini chocolate cakes with gooey molten centers, perfect for an elegant finish or cozy treat.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
12 Minutes
Total Time
27 Minutes


Difficulty: Medium

Cuisine: French-American

Yield: 6 servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Chocolate Mixture

01 4.25 oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
02 7 tbsp unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing

Batter

01 2 large eggs
02 2 large egg yolks
03 scant 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
05 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
06 1/4 tsp fine sea salt

For Serving (optional)

01 Powdered sugar, for dusting
02 Fresh berries or vanilla ice cream

Instructions

Step 01

Prepare Ramekins: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Grease six 6-oz ramekins with butter and lightly dust with flour, tapping out excess.

Step 02

Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a heatproof bowl placed over simmering water, melt the chocolate and butter together while stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Step 03

Whisk Eggs and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, egg yolks, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until pale and thick, approximately 2 minutes.

Step 04

Combine Mixtures: Gently fold the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until fully incorporated.

Step 05

Add Dry Ingredients: Sift in the all-purpose flour and salt, folding gently until just combined without overmixing.

Step 06

Portion Batter: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins and place them on a baking sheet.

Step 07

Bake: Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft and slightly jiggly.

Step 08

Serve: Let the cakes rest for 1 minute, then run a thin knife around the edges, invert onto plates, and serve immediately. Optionally dust with powdered sugar and serve with fresh berries or ice cream.

Tools You'll Need

  • Six 6-oz ramekins
  • Heatproof mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Baking sheet

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains eggs, milk (butter), and gluten (wheat flour).
  • May contain traces of nuts depending on chocolate processing.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 19 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 34 g
  • Protein: 5 g