Chocolate molten lava cake: surprise your Valentine

The origins of the molten chocolate cake 

The history of this beloved dessert, with its flowing chocolate heart, is as rich and intriguing as the cake itself. Two chefs often lay claim to its creation. The first is French chef Michel Bras, who developed what he called "chocolat coulant" in 1981. The second is Jean-Georges Vongerichten, also French, who made the cake a sensation in the United States in the late 80s. While earlier variations might have existed, these chefs are credited with shaping the molten lava cake we know and love today, and now you can experience it yourself. 

 

Melting lava cake: Recipe and ingredients 

Discover Venchi's chocolate molten lava cake recipe and ingredients below. For a perfect dessert, make sure you don't overbake it. You'll know it's ready when you touch the top of the cake in the middle, and it's set but still slightly moves when you shake it. Also, you can check if your homemade chocolate lava cake is done with a toothpick: insert the toothpick into the cake's edges, and it will come out clean, while the middle of the cake should have some cake batter on the toothpick. 

• 6 ounces 60% dark chocolate  

• 4 ounces unsalted butter (softened)  

• ¼ cup caster sugar  

• 4 large eggs  

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  

• pinch of salt  

• 2 tablespoons white flour  

 

Instructions 

1. Prepare 6 ovenproof ramekins for baking by greasing them generously with butter and lining the bottom with parchment paper.  

2. Preheat your oven to 450F and place the baking tray you'll be using in the oven to warm up.  

3. Break the dark chocolate into small chunks and place it in a heatproof bowl. Next, melt the chocolate using a double boiler on the stove or microwave.  

4. In another bowl, use an electric mix to whisk the butter and sugar, stopping when the mixture is fluffy and light in texture. Then, gradually add the eggs, salt, and vanilla to the butter mixture.  

5. Slowly mix in the flour, making sure not to overmix.  

6. Use a spatula to gently add the cooled melted chocolate, stopping as soon as all the ingredients are combined to keep the batter as light as possible.  

7. Pour the cake batter into the ramekins, filling them halfway. Place 1 chocolate into the middle of the cake batter and repeat for every ramekin. Place the ramekins on the baking tray and put it in the oven.  

8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, making sure the middle is soft. As soon as you take the cakes out of the oven, turn them out of the ramekins and place them on serving plates.  

9. Serve warm and enjoy! 

What's the science behind lava cake? This delightful dessert happens thanks to a process called heat transfer, which transforms the liquid cake batter into a solid at high temperatures. The outer edges heat up first and gradually move towards the middle. 

Determining when your molten lava cakes are perfectly baked is crucial to achieving that signature liquid center. The tops of the cakes should have a slight springiness when lightly touched. Another method is to use a toothpick: insert it near the edge of a cake; if it emerges clean, that area is cooked. If you insert the toothpick into the center, expect some moist batter to still cling to it, as this is what creates the molten, flowing center. 

Should you serve molten lava cake hot or cold? You have to serve it warm because otherwise, the melted center will be hard and dry. 

The intensity of this molten lava cake begs for the perfect pairing. For an elegant contrast, a chilled chocolate martini will amplify the rich cocoa notes. Alternatively, a warm and comforting mocha coffee will soften the intensity of the chocolate, making for an equally delicious combination. 

 

Nutrition Facts 

100g slice of cake  

• Calories 633  

• Protein 10g  

• Carbohydrates 59g  

• Sugars 44g 

• Fat 38g 

 

Chocolate molten lava cake in a mug: Save time without sacrificing taste! 

Satisfy your chocolate cravings without stressing yourself out in the kitchen with our chocolate molten lava cake in a mug recipe. Surprisingly, you'll get all the luscious soft texture of the original recipe, and all you'll need is a microwave and 5 minutes.   

Here are the steps to make the cake in a mug: 

1. In a large mug, mix softened butter with boiling water and caster sugar. Then add self-rising flour and cocoa powder until you have a smooth mixture.  

2. Into the batter, push down a few chocolate squares that will form the lava middle.  

3. Put it in the microwave for 1 minute on full power and stick a fork into the cake to check if it's cooked all the way through. 

With its warm, flowing center and intense chocolate flavor, this molten lava cake is sure to make hearts melt this Valentine’s Day. If you enjoyed this delicious creation, you'll love our exquisite Valentine's Day chocolate collection: explore the rest of our specially curated treats to discover more unforgettable flavors.