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Home » Family Favorites

Published: Aug 26, 2013 · Updated: Jun 18, 2025 · May contain affiliate links

Easy Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

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Molten Chocolate Lava Cake is a family favorite. Soft, warm, fudgy molten lava cake; a recipe for two, is easily doubled and quickly made in 15 minutes. Set individual souffle dishes aside until ready to bake. In about 10 minutes you can serve this decadent chocolate cake that will have everyone begging for more!

this …

Chocolate lava cake became popular in the early '80's when Jean-Georges Vongerichten claims to have pulled a tin of cupcakes from the oven too early which caused them to be underbaked with a molten center.

Since I'm all for oozing chocolate molten centers I consider this recipe is made just for me.

Chocolate of any kind is my go-to dessert and this happens to be one of the easiest ever chocolate recipes I've made.

Table of contents

  • Why I Love this Molten Lava Cake Recipe
  • Lava Cake Ingredients
  • Tips For Making Molten Cake Recipe
  • Serving Lava Cake
  • More Easy Chocolate Desserts

Why I Love this Molten Lava Cake Recipe

This chocolate lava cake is a winner, underbaked or overbaked-in which case it becomes a soft brownie.

Easy to make and easy to double, this molten lava cake recipe can also be placed in the freezer and baked when needed. Just bake a bit longer.

This molten lava cake reminds me of a trip to Hawaii when Alex (at 5 years old) ate the entire dessert at Roy's on the Big Island. No longer there, but at least I have a recipe!

And yes, we ordered a second dessert so we could have a bite!

I've never met anyone who hasn't loved this simple dessert.

Yes, it happens to be a favorite of ours, but my guess is it will quickly become a favorite of yours!

top down look of chocolate lava cake with whipped cream on gold rim plate with silver spoon

Lava Cake Ingredients

Bittersweet chocolate chips or bittersweet chopped chocolate (preferred)
Butter (if yours is salted omit the pinch of salt)
1 egg
1 egg yolk
Vanilla Extract
Pinch of salt
Powdered sugar - many recipes use granulated sugar but I have success with this
Flour - unbleached all-purpose adds structure

Tips For Making Molten Cake Recipe

I like using individual souffle dishes. Everyone loves their own but I have seen recipes to make this in a big batch.

Before filling souffle dish it should be sprinkled with sugar or cocoa. Some use flour but I don't like the traces of white that sometimes remain.

Preferable to chocolate chips is a good deep chocolate that you chop yourself.

Please use room temperature large eggs.

Serving Lava Cake

This easy lava cake recipe is unmolded onto an individual plate.

Simply turn souffle dish over so the bottom becomes the top. Let dish sit on the plate for about 10 seconds and then you should easily be able to remove the mold.

Sprinkle this easy chocolate lava cake recipe with powdered sugar or dark cocoa.

Sprinkle with a touch of coarse salt if you like.

I love this with vanilla or coffee ice cream or whipped cream.

Add fresh berries for an extra flourish or even some chopped chocolate mocha coffee beans.

chocolate lava cake

The Rest of The Story

A long, long time ago, (but it really doesn't matter as this fact is not essential to the story), two people met at college and fell in love. After 4 years of dating, 3 college degrees and a move to Florida, they got married.

They traveled and worked and had dogs. They ate and cooked and made lots of friends.

They moved back to Colorado and were very happy but something was missing. Several years of trying to add to their happy lives was taking longer than usual, but they persisted.

And so it was, one February day, with perfect ski conditions, Person A bent down to buckle her ski boots and couldn't. Luckily, Person B was able to secure the buckles.

And later, not long after lunch, on a particularly beautiful day of skiing, Person A decided she was totally exhausted and called it quits for the day, much to Person B's chagrin.

Soon after Person A called the doctor to complain about how miserable she felt where upon said doctor asked if she was pregnant.

Person A said she hadn't thought about that, where upon said doctor said to try a pregnancy test. Said pregnancy test turned immediately blue. She reported these results to Person B who asked, could it be?

Whereupon Person A said she'd schedule an appointment with the doctor. Person A went by herself to the doctor, where the doctor immediately confirmed the strip's results and said they are rarely ever wrong.

Immediately an ultrasound was done, where it was discovered that Person A was quite pregnant, at least 10 weeks pregnant, and one baby was two.

alex and zoe in high chair

Yes, there was a reason Person A could not buckle her ski boots.

Person A immediately called Person B who was working  and in a meeting. She said she needed to talk to him now and he walked out of his meeting where he was given the doctor's results.

According to the coworkers in the room at the time, Person B's face turned as white as a sheet and as he turned to go out of the room he walked straight into the wall.

After dutifully reporting the news to said world, Person A and Person B endured a long, hot, happy summer until Person A reported to the hospital on August, 24, 1990, walked up three flights of stairs because the elevators were out, and delivered two healthy babies.

One boy and one girl, much to the relief of Person A. They had 10 fingers and 10 toes weighed 4lbs, 2oz and 5lbs,11oz and were 17 and 18 inches long. They were also the most beautiful humans that Person's A and B had ever laid eyes on.

Said news was reported to the world by expensive long distance calls as cell phones were still used sparingly, and facebook had yet to have faces.

Google was not googling and Instagram was not instant, as it had not been born yet.

But two babies had, and though they were not greeted by throngs of photographers and news journalists at their birth, many people flew in a week later to participate in a bris and baby naming, where upon two glorious babies came to be called Alex and Zoe.

Alex and Zoe  5 years old

After many birthday parties that ranged from clowns and magicians to pioneer parks; scavenger hunts, bike parades and back yard camping; laser tag, chocolate and the ubiquitous pool parties; the day is now just quietly celebrated with life and love and memories.

And though the little ones have flown the coop,  Person A still remembers the glories of her children's childhood and all the love that abounded each and every day, birthday or not.

She is happy to report that Zoe just made her first chocolate heirloom cake for herself and friends in Philadelphia and that her brother celebrated his at a beer festival in San Francisco.

Person A quietly celebrated their birthday while recreating their 7th birthday meal.

This was attended by their teachers way back when, where everyone ate calamari, linguini with clam sauce, Caesar salad, garlic bread and the before mentioned heirloom chocolate cake.

Both teachers were pleasantly surprised when they were not served pizza, hot dogs or mac and cheese, which apparently were customary meals for a 7 year old birthday.

No, Alex and Zoe, developed good eating habits at an early age and now are good cooks themselves.

Though Person A did not bake the heirloom chocolate cake she did make a spectacular molten lava cake that burst with the flavors of chocolate and joy.

She sat quietly as she savored each bite while remembering the joyful noise of each birthday and hoping for more to come.

Each bite was taken without the slightest bit of guilt and each bite was spent gulping back tears and memories.

Each bite was full of love and pride that she had raised two totally perfect children in a totally imperfect world.

And though no photographers were present, and no words were spoken, she remembered the day her children were born and she rejoiced.

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake with whip cream. berrie sna chocolate sauce on white plate

I'd love to hear if you make this recipe!

Please share a review or rate the recipe,

and be sure to tag me on social!

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Recipe

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chocolate lava cake on gold rimmed saucer with whipped cream and spoon

Chocolate Lava Cake

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  • Author: Abbe Odenwalder
  • Prep Time: 10 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 Minutes
  • Total Time: 20 Minutes
  • Yield: 2 Servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This simply elegant chocolate lava cakes are not only ready in minutes; they are a dessert that will be asked for, forever and always!


Ingredients

Units Scale

½ c bittersweet chocolate chips
4 T butter
1 egg
1 egg yolk
¼ t vanilla
pinch of salt
¼ c powdered sugar
2 T flour


Instructions

Preheat oven to 425.

Butter two 8 oz ramekins.

Melt chocolate and butter in microwave for 45 seconds. Stir until chips are melted. Whisk in egg and egg yolk. Add vanilla, salt, powdered sugar and flour.

Bake for 10 minutes. You may eat these from the ramekins or you may unmold them and serve them directly on the plate. Top with ice cream or whipped cream.

These  can be held on the counter until you are ready to bake them. In our case, this means do the dishes, put in the cakes and then cakes are ready to devour. You can bake these up to about 14 minutes, but the centers will not be as runny or molten. This cake is extraordinary and perfect for any occasion.


Did you make this recipe?

Tag @this_is_how_i_cook on Instagram and hashtag it #thisishowicook

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  1. Gerlinde aka Sunnycovechef.com says

    February 13, 2025 at 9:19 pm

    What a beautiful story and thanks you for sharing. I used to make molten chocolate cakes many moons ago.

    Reply
    • Abbe says

      February 13, 2025 at 10:02 pm

      They requested it for tomorrow night, so how can I say no? Thanks Gerlinde!

      Reply
  2. Rachael~Adventures in Wunderland says

    February 12, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    Oh I'm so happy I found your site...I was wanting to make this for Valentine's Day!

    Reply
  3. Amanda says

    February 10, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    Pinned it! This looks Fab! Can't wait to try it!!

    Reply
  4. Abbe Odenwalder says

    September 10, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    Oh, Barb. Yes, you should have a party. And then she will wonder what she missed!

    Reply
  5. Barb | Creative Culinary says

    September 05, 2013 at 7:25 pm

    Aw what a sweet story Abbe. Let's call me Person A and I'll share that my Little One 2 will be 30 in a few weeks and has decided to go to the mountains with friends to celebrate. Oh how I wish she would celebrate with the ONE person who actually remembers that 'Birth Day' but she is currently in a 'friends are more important than family' mode.

    So, great idea; I will recreate her favorite cake and have friends over. Perfect! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Biz says

    September 03, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    This post just made me smile the whole time I was reading it! Thanks for sharing it Abbe!

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      September 10, 2013 at 4:59 pm

      I like to make people smile, Biz. Thanks!

      Reply
  7. Natalie G says

    September 03, 2013 at 2:16 pm

    Wonderful post and a great recipe too!

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      September 03, 2013 at 2:29 pm

      Thanks, Natalie. It is a great recipe and hopefully, one day, a great bedtime story!

      Reply
  8. kumars kitchen says

    September 03, 2013 at 7:22 am

    IT WAS SUCH A PLEASURE READING THROUGH THIS POST...WE FELT WARM WITH SWEET MEMORIES...PERSON A IS SURE A WONDERFUL MOM 🙂
    BELATED HAPPY B'DAY TO YOUR ADORABLE CHILDREN AND THAT CAKE LOOKS LIKE AN ABSOLUTE WINNER 🙂

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      September 03, 2013 at 2:28 pm

      That is so nice! You make me feel so warm with your kind comment. It is really a great cake. Please enjoy!

      Reply
  9. Amy says

    August 31, 2013 at 6:48 pm

    awww....happy belated birthday to your beautiful children! I really enjoy reading your post. What a heart warming story/memories. This molten lava cake is truly spectacular and perfect for the occasion. 🙂 Nicely done.

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      September 02, 2013 at 12:02 am

      Thank you so much, Amy. It is amazing how time flies. And you can make lava cake part of your special occasions for many years to come. Your kids are still young!

      Reply
  10. Purabi Naha | Cosmopolitan Currymania says

    August 31, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    It must be so wonderful to see the kids growing. Congrats to zoe for making the cake herself! I loved reading this beautiful story...I have to yet make a lava cake like this!

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      September 02, 2013 at 12:00 am

      Purabi, it is bittersweet seeing them grow but delightful to see what they have become! Thank you for your kind words and you should try this cake. You will love it!

      Reply
  11. cquek says

    August 29, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    thanks for sharing, wonderful post

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      August 30, 2013 at 4:28 am

      Glad you liked it Cquek! Thank you!

      Reply
  12. Irina @ wandercrush says

    August 29, 2013 at 8:36 am

    That's so wonderful—happy birthday to your beautiful twins! And they sure are lucky to have a mom that makes chocolate lava cakes for them 😉

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      August 30, 2013 at 4:27 am

      Oh Irina. Thanks for you sweet words.And truthfully, i make them for me!

      Reply
  13. Mary Callan says

    August 28, 2013 at 12:54 am

    What a lovely post - and amazing lava cakes - I've never made them - know I really have to!
    Mary x

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      August 30, 2013 at 4:26 am

      Thanks so much, Mary. These are amazing and they are a good thing to have up your sleeve. Everyone loves them!

      Reply
  14. Liz Berg says

    August 27, 2013 at 10:06 pm

    Oh, what a sweet post honoring your two beautiful children. My 3 are right around the same age...it's amazing to watch them turn into responsible, compassionate adults.

    I have a feeling I'll be visiting Denver a lot over the coming years. Let's plan to meet up one time when I'm there for a few days! I'd love that!

    PS...your lava cakes look terrific!

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      August 30, 2013 at 4:25 am

      Any time, Liz. I would thoroughly enjoy ti!

      Reply
  15. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says

    August 27, 2013 at 12:00 pm

    Oh Abbe. That is a wonderful story! You made me cry before 8am! They are beautiful children and I know you are proud. What a blessing they must be. Did I mention I have triplet nephews in Colorado? I don't get to see them much but do keep up on FB. What did we ever do without instant information? The cake looks amazing too - one of my favorites.

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      August 27, 2013 at 9:51 pm

      Oh Tricia, I cry most day upon waking! Come visit those triplets and we can get together. It is a really good, chocolatey cake. You will love it! And one good thing is no leftovers-so no tempting snacks in the house!

      Reply
  16. Angie Schneider says

    August 27, 2013 at 10:33 am

    You lucky one, Abbe! A very sweet and warm post. Happy happy Birthday, Alex, Zoe.
    The lava cake looks splendid!

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      August 27, 2013 at 9:49 pm

      Oh Angie, I will pass it on! I think they had a great birthday, at least the parts I was allowed to hear! Thanks Angie.

      Reply
  17. ChgoJohn says

    August 27, 2013 at 4:30 am

    Such a wonderful story and post, Abbe. Imagine rearing twin foodies. That sure was some 7th birthday party feast! Aren't molten lava cakes the best? I love 'em and yours here sounds delicious and is beautifully presented.

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      August 27, 2013 at 9:48 pm

      Twin foodies-I like that John! This is a really good molten lava cake and I have tried several! I like that you can make it ahead and bake it at the last minute!

      Reply
  18. Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says

    August 27, 2013 at 1:27 am

    Wow! What a beautiful story!!!! Happy B-day to both Alex and Zoe...I want a piece of this cake!

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      August 27, 2013 at 9:47 pm

      Thanks Denise! Bake it and you can have the whole thing!

      Reply
  19. Abbe Odenwalder says

    August 26, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    Shelley, it's a great club to be in, isn't it? How old are yours? My advice is to have another for it goes way too fast. I had tears just writing this, but maybe one day it will make a great bedtime story. Thanks for writing!

    Reply
  20. Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says

    August 26, 2013 at 9:16 pm

    Oh, Abbe! I didn't realize you had boy-girl twins! Somehow I missed that! I do, too, and as I read this post, I was just all teary-eyed over such a lovely story about your two! Luckily, there was the hilarious part about person B walking into a wall - so it wasn't all tears! (And my daughter, who is sitting right across from me doing her math, didn't catch me looking all weepy!) One day all-too-soon, mine will have flown the coop, too. Good to know that Chocolate Lava Cake can help ease the heartache a little. Happy birthday to Alex and Zoe - and job well done, mom!

    Reply
  21. Kitchen Riffs says

    August 26, 2013 at 8:35 pm

    Very fun story. You have two wonderful looking kids! You sound like a happy family. Certainly anyone would be happy to have that terrific looking chocolate lava cake! Nice memories - sometimes photos actually get in the way of real life.

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      August 26, 2013 at 8:55 pm

      Thanks John! Photos can get in the way of real life especially when they look better than the real thing! Memories are definitely good especially because I have yet to organize the photo albums!

      Reply
  22. Laura Dembowski says

    August 26, 2013 at 8:13 pm

    What a sweet blog post! Chocolate lava cake is a great way to celebrate a birthday!

    Reply
    • Abbe Odenwalder says

      August 26, 2013 at 8:54 pm

      Thanks Laura. I know you can't have chocolate but this is terrific!

      Reply
Abbe Odenwalder - The Great American Recipe Season 2

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You may have spotted me on Season 2 of the PBS series “The Great American Recipe.” Being part of a group labeled “the best home cooks in America” is a lot to live up to, but I’m up for the challenge! I'm glad you are here and hope I can set a place for you at my table!

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