Chocolate Molten Lava Cookies
These cookies are inspired by one of our most popular recipes: molten lava cake! Soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a fudgy, gooey chocolate center, dusted with powdered sugar aka your favorite dessert in cookie form.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Unsalted butter: You’ll need softened butter for this recipe. Take it out of the fridge a few hours before baking or you can cut the butter into small pieces and microwave for 10-15 seconds until soft, not completely melted.
- Sugar: Use a combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar. Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar adds slight crispiness.
- Eggs: You’ll need one whole egg plus one egg yolk.
- Vanilla extract: Just a dash!
- All purpose flour: For the structure of the cookies.
- Cocoa powder: We used Dutch-process cocoa powder. Go for a high-quality brand like Ghirardelli for the best results.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and gives a tender texture.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness and bring out the chocolate flavor.
- Hot fudge: We love using Smucker’s Hot Fudge Topping, but any store-bought hot fudge works. Just make sure it is thick, not syrupy.
How to make molten lava cookies
01. Prepare the hot fudge
Scoop the hot fudge into 1 tablespoon balls and freeze for 30 minutes. This makes them easier to work with and keeps the center molten.
02. Make the cookie dough
Cream the butter and sugars, then add the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up the dough for easier handling.
03. Fill each dough ball
Once chilled, scoop 3 tablespoons of dough and flatten slightly. Place a frozen hot fudge ball in the center, wrap the dough completely around it, and roll into a ball. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
04. Chill & bake
Freeze the filled dough balls for 10 minutes to help them hold their shape. Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set but the center is still soft.
05. Serve
Allow the cookies to cool, then dust with powdered sugar and enjoy warm for a gooey, molten center!
Watch how we made them:
Shop the Post:
Chocolate Molten Lava Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup hot fudge
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 whole egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Scoop the hot fudge into 10 balls, about 1 tablespoon each, and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze for 30 minutes until firm.
- In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until combined. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes to firm up the dough for easier handling.
- Once the dough has chilled, scoop 3 tbsp of cookie dough and flatten it slightly in your hand. Place a frozen hot fudge ball in the center. Wrap the dough around the filling, sealing it completely. Roll into a ball and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Freeze the dough balls for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar to serve.
this was so freaking good and i don’t even like chocolate like that omg i put ice cream on top it was 👌 10/10 highly recommend this recipe!!
Thanks for sharing this! So happy you loved it