Description
Rich and indulgent lava cakes with a molten chocolate center and a subtle espresso kick, made with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for a quick, impressive dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (85g)
- ½ cup semi-sweet cocoa powder (50g), not Dutch-processed
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (40g)
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Butter six 6-ounce ramekins generously and dust with cocoa powder, tapping out excess. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter until just melted. Remove from heat and whisk in cocoa powder and espresso powder until smooth and glossy.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt until evenly combined.
- In a large bowl, lightly beat the eggs with vanilla extract until combined but not frothy.
- Slowly pour the warm chocolate mixture into the eggs while whisking constantly to temper the eggs. Fold in the dry ingredients gently with a spatula until just combined; batter will be thick and luscious.
- Divide batter evenly among prepared ramekins. Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes until edges are firm but centers still soft and slightly jiggly.
- Let cakes cool on a wire rack for 3-5 minutes. Run a knife around edges and invert each ramekin onto a plate. Serve immediately, dusted with powdered sugar or topped with vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
Do not overbake to maintain molten center; use room temperature eggs for smooth batter; butter and cocoa powder ramekins well to prevent sticking; batter can be prepared ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours; if using brewed espresso instead of instant powder, reduce butter by 1 tablespoon to keep batter consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lava cake (approx.
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 80
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Protein: 6
Keywords: double chocolate, espresso, lava cakes, molten chocolate cake, easy dessert, quick chocolate dessert, chocolate espresso dessert