Chocolate Lava Cakes for Two

The perfect, individually sized chocolate cakes with a gooey, fudge, and rich lava center. These Chocolate Lava Cakes for Two are the perfect dessert for any date night, special holiday, or just because. All you need are a handful of simple ingredients and a few minutes to throw it together.

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, and that means there is an extra excuse to whip up something delicious and hopefully chocolate-y. FYI - I'm definitely making these for Valentine's Day. I've been craving a good 'ole chocolate lava cake, and this recipe surely is the best of the best.

However, this lava cake does not require a calendar-marked day to be enjoyed. Every bite of this cake is pure bliss, and it's truly fantastically (is that even a word?) perfect with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream melting away in every bite. It's great for a random Wednesday night, birthday, anniversary, or a gloomy, rainy day.

I am a huge chocolate person. I am also a huge cake person. Therefore, I have had many a lava cake. This recipe is truly THE best. Each cake has exceptional gooey-ness, chocolatey-ness, and richness. Because, the worst thing to happen when digging into a lava cake is for there to be no lava in the center. *womp womp* However, with this recipe and ensuring to take them out of the oven right on time, you'll end up with an optimal amount of lava in each bite. and, personally, I always need a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, duh. It's a no brainer with every warm dessert.

Ingredients for Chocolate Lava Cakes for Two

- unsalted butter

- dark chocolate, chopped (very high quality. I use Videri's 70% Dark Chocolate)

- brown sugar

- granulated sugar

- egg & egg yolk

- vanilla extract

- cocoa powder

- all purpose flour (for gluten free: use oat flour or gluten free flour blend)

- salt

How to Make Chocolate Lava Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and generously butter 2 (6 or 8 oz) ramekins on all sides. Lightly dust the inside with cocoa powder and set aside. The cakes like to stick to the ramekins, so make sure you thoroughly grease and dust very well with cocoa powder.

2. In a small bowl, combine the butter and chopped chocolate. Microwave in 30 second increments until fully melted, whisking in between. Make sure there are no lumps and the mixture is smooth.

3. In a medium sized bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the sugars, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract for 2 minutes, until frothy, light, and pale in color. (I recommend a hand mixer or stand mixer, but a whisk will also work. You'll just get a nice arm workout!)

4. Combine the chocolate mixture with the egg mixture, and add the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Fold until combined and no streaks of flour remain.

5. Pour half of the batter into each prepared ramekin and bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and firm but the centers are still very gooey. Remove from oven.

6. Allow the lava cakes to cool for 3-5 minutes before running a butter knife along the edges of the cake and inverting onto a plate. Enjoy right away with ice cream, whipped cream, or a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

Tools for Lava Cake Making

- a stand mixer: my go-to is always Kitchen Aid

- a rubber spatula: here's my very favorite one. I have it in many colors, and I've never found a better spatula.

- chef's knife : my favorite knives are from Mercer, and they're such high quality for such an affordable price.

- best cutting board : the best cutting board ever. Dishwasher safe, antibacterial, warp-proof, and highest quality.

- ceramic ramekins : perfect size for these individual cakes and many other recipes

- my favorite ice cream scoop : it's even dishwasher safe

Shop all of my favorites for making desserts here on Amazon.

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