Red Velvet Molten Lava Cakes
These red velvet molten lava cakes are the ultimate comfort dessert— warm, gooey, and just melt in your mouth. The best part? These individual-sized treats come together in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Unsalted butter
- Semi sweet chocolate
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Red gel food coloring
- Vanilla extract
- All purpose flour
- Cocoa powder
Recipe Tips
Mix the eggs and sugar until light & airy: This step is crucial in creating the perfect molten lava cakes. With an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar together until the mixture becomes thick, lightens in color, and has a glossy appearance. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes, but may take longer if you’re whisking by hand.
Use high quality chocolate: The better the chocolate, the richer the flavor! Our favorite chocolate brands include Ghirardelli and Guittard.
Texture: The best part about these lava cakes is that gooey center so you definitely don’t want to overbake them! We recommend baking the cakes for 11-13 minutes. The cakes are done when the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. Insert a toothpick into the outer edge of each cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done.
How to Serve
Lava cakes are best served immediately with your favorite toppings:
- Cream cheese drizzle: To make, whisk together 2 oz softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and splash of milk until combined.
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream (our favorite!)
- A light dusting of powdered sugar
- Chocolate ganache: To make, heat 1/4 cup of heavy cream in the microwave and pour it in a bowl with 2 oz of chocolate. Cover the bowl for 5 minutes, allowing the hot cream to melt the chocolate. Then, whisk until smooth.
- A drizzle of caramel (click here for the recipe)
- Raspberry sauce
- Fresh berries
- Nuts
Watch how we made them:
Molten Lava Cakes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 whole eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1-2 tsp red gel food coloring
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp cocoa powder
- Softened butter to coat ramekins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425℉. Butter and lightly dust the ramekins with cocoa powder. Tap out excess cocoa powder. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet. (see note)
- In the microwave or in a small saucepan over low heat, melt together the butter and chocolate.
- Using an electric hand mixer or whisk, beat the sugar and eggs until the mixture is thickened and pale in color. About 5-7 minutes. Add the vanilla and red food coloring. Mix well.
- Add the warm chocolate to the sugar and egg mixture. Whisk together until combined. Add the flour and cocoa powder. Mix well.
- Evenly pour the batter into each ramekin. Bake for 11-13 minutes until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. Serve immediately.
