Ina Garten Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
Ina Garten’s Chocolate Lava Cake is an elegant dessert featuring individual cakes with a molten chocolate center. Made with dark chocolate, butter, eggs, and a touch of sugar, this dessert offers the perfect balance of sweetness and richness, making it a favorite among chocolate lovers.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 12
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients
- Dark chocolate: 6 ounces, chopped (use high-quality chocolate).
- Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick), plus extra for greasing.
- Eggs: 2 large.
- Egg yolks: 2 large.
- Granulated sugar: 1/4 cup.
- All-purpose flour: 2 tablespoons.
- Salt: A pinch.
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon.
- Optional garnish: Powdered sugar, fresh berries, or whipped cream.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease four 6-ounce ramekins with butter. Dust with cocoa powder to prevent sticking.
- Melt the chocolate and butter: In a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, melt the chopped chocolate and butter together. Stir until smooth, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Prepare the egg mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla extract until thick and pale.
- Combine the mixtures: Gradually add the melted chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, whisking gently to combine.
- Add the dry ingredients: Sift the flour and salt into the mixture, folding gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fill the ramekins: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake the cakes: Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 12–14 minutes. The edges should be set, but the centers should still be soft and jiggly.
- Cool slightly and serve: Let the cakes cool for 1–2 minutes, then carefully invert onto serving plates. Garnish with powdered sugar, berries, or whipped cream, and serve immediately.