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–+ servings
lava cake topped with ice cream and melted chocolate pouring out of the cake on a white plate.
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5 from 10 votes

Chocolate Lava Cake For One

A single serving chocolate lava cake, also called molten chocolate cake or moelleux au chocolat, with a soft cake exterior and warm, gooey center. Ready in under 25 minutes.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, French
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: chocolate cake, chocolate lava cake, lava cake, Moelleux au Chocolat, molten cake, molten lava cake, single serving chocolate lava cake
Servings: 1 serving
Author: Joanie Zisk

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon butter -plus ½ tablespoon more for greasing the ramekin.
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • powdered sugar -optional for topping
US - Metric

Instructions

  • Set to 425°F (220°C). Generously butter a 10-ounce ramekin using 1/2 tablespoon of butter.
  • Melt the Chocolate: In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon of butter. Stir until smooth, then let cool slightly.
    Pro Tip: To make a double boiler, place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan with 1 inch of simmering water. Make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg, and vanilla until foamy, about 30 seconds.
  • Whisk in the flour until smooth, about 10 seconds.
  • Stir the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until fully blended.
  • Pour the batter into the ramekin. Place ramekin on a baking sheet.
  • Bake for 13-15 minutes, until edges are set and the center is still soft. Do not overbake.
  • Run a knife around the edge and let the cake rest for 3 minutes.
  • Place a plate over the ramekin, flip it, and hold for 20 seconds to release the cake.
  • Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.

Notes

  • Don’t overbake, the center should still jiggle slightly.
  • Let the melted chocolate cool slightly before mixing with egg.
  • Use a 10-ounce ramekin to avoid overflow or undercooking.
  • Butter the ramekin thoroughly to help release the cake cleanly.
  • If using a microwave to melt chocolate, stir every 15 seconds.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 587kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 216mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 256mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 53g | Vitamin A: 642IU | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 4mg

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