Description
Rich and decadent individual chocolate lava cakes with a molten center, enhanced with a roasted-flavor extract reduction and topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream for a luxurious dessert experience.
Ingredients
- ½ cup (85 g) bittersweet chocolate (at least 60% cacao), chopped or chips
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons roasted flavor extract (from reduction)
- 1 teaspoon roasted flavor extract (additional)
- Pinch of salt
- Butter and cocoa powder or flour (for greasing ramekins)
- 1 bottle (12 oz / 355 ml) rich, dark roasted-flavor beverage (non-hoppy) for extract reduction
- 2 cups (480 ml) heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar (for whipped cream)
- 1 teaspoon roasted flavor extract (for whipped cream)
Instructions
- Prepare the extract reduction: Pour the roasted-flavor beverage into a saucepan, bring to a boil, and simmer until thickened to a syrup (10–15 minutes). Cool completely.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Grease ramekins with butter and dust with flour or cocoa.
- Melt the chocolate and butter together in a microwave-safe bowl or over a double boiler. Stir until smooth and glossy. Let cool slightly.
- Whisk eggs and egg yolks in a mixing bowl until light and frothy. Add 1 teaspoon extract and whisk well. Slowly stir in the melted chocolate-butter mixture.
- Sift in powdered sugar, flour, and salt. Fold until smooth. Stir in 2 tablespoons extract reduction.
- Divide batter evenly among ramekins. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers jiggle slightly.
- Let rest 1 minute, then invert onto serving plates.
- Make whipped cream: Beat cream, powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon extract until soft peaks form. Keep chilled.
- Serve cakes warm with whipped cream on top.
Notes
- Best served immediately for maximum molten texture.
- Batter can be prepared ahead and refrigerated in ramekins for up to 24 hours.
- Overbaking will result in less molten centers—watch closely.
- Serve with fresh fruit, cocoa dusting, or chocolate shavings for garnish.
- Can substitute strong coffee or espresso reduction for the extract.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake with whipped cream
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
