Easy Ina Garten Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe – Gooey Bliss in Minutes

Chocolate lava cake represents the ultimate indulgence for passionate dessert lovers seeking pure, molten bliss.

Sweet decadence flows from its rich, dark interior when you break through the delicate outer crust.

Precise techniques transform simple ingredients into a magical culinary experience that tantalizes every sense.

Professional bakers and home cooks treasure this elegant dessert for its dramatic presentation and intense chocolate flavor.

The perfect balance of crisp exterior and liquid center creates an irresistible textural contrast that feels luxurious and comforting.

Each bite promises a moment of pure, velvety satisfaction that melts slowly across your palate.

Rich, warm, and impossibly elegant, this dessert transforms an ordinary evening into a gourmet celebration: prepare to be amazed.

What Makes Ina Garten’s Chocolate Lava Cake So Decadent and Irresistible

• Create Molten Magic: Experience the ultimate chocolate lover's dream with centers that burst open, revealing a river of rich, velvety chocolate that flows like liquid gold when you break into the cake.
• Super-Quick Gourmet Treat: Whip up an impressive restaurant-quality dessert in just 25 minutes, perfect for last-minute dinner parties or spontaneous sweet cravings that demand instant satisfaction.
• Foolproof Chocolate Indulgence: This recipe offers a simple yet elegant method that transforms basic ingredients into a show-stopping dessert, making even novice bakers feel like professional pastry chefs with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

What You Need for Ina Garten’s Chocolate Lava Cake

• Dark Chocolate: Rich, high-quality chocolate creates the luxurious lava center.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds smoothness and helps create a silky chocolate mixture.

• Eggs, Egg Yolks: Provide structure and create a smooth, rich texture for the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a light, airy mixture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Gives gentle structure to the delicate cake.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Powdered Sugar: Light dusting for elegant presentation.
• Fresh Berries: Optional garnish for added freshness and color contrast.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Chocolate Lava Cake

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Ramekins

Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Butter and flour 6 ramekins (4-each). Place ramekins on a baking sheet.

Step 2: Melt Chocolate Mixture

• Double boiler method: Heat over low heat, stirring continuously until smooth
• Microwave method: Place chocolate and butter in microwave-safe bowl, microwave on high power, pause and stir every 30 seconds, continue until completely melted and smooth

Step 3: Whisk Egg Mixture

• Eggs
• Egg yolks
• Granulated sugar
• Salt

Whisk at medium speed until mixture becomes thick and pale yellow.

Step 4: Create Cake Batter

• Sift flour into egg mixture
• Gradually fold in melted chocolate mixture
• Mix until batter is uniform and well combined

Step 5: Bake Lava Cakes

• Pour batter evenly into prepared ramekins
• Bake 6-8 minutes in preheated oven
• Look for firm edges with slightly wobbly center

Step 6: Serve And Garnish

• Cool cakes in ramekins for 1 minute
• Invert onto dessert plates
• Wait 10 seconds before lifting ramekins
• Dust with powdered sugar

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Chocolate Lava Cake

• Melt Chocolate Smoothly: Use a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring constantly to prevent burning and achieve a silky, glossy texture for your chocolate.
• Choose Dark Chocolate Wisely: Select a high-quality bittersweet chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content to create deeper, more intense flavor profiles in your lava cakes.
• Watch Baking Precision: Set a timer and check cakes at the minimum recommended baking time, looking for slightly set edges but a soft, jiggly center that promises a molten interior.
• Prepare Ramekins Perfectly: Butter and lightly dust ramekins with cocoa powder to ensure easy cake removal and a professional-looking presentation without sticking.
• Cool Strategically: Let cakes rest for 1-2 minutes after removing from oven, which helps them set slightly and makes inverting onto plates easier without falling apart.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Chocolate Lava Cake

• Vacuum Seal Method: Protect your decadent chocolate lava cakes from freezer burn by using a vacuum sealer. Extract all air from the packaging, creating an impenetrable barrier that locks in freshness and prevents moisture loss.
• Flash Freeze Technique: Spread individual lava cakes on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they don't touch each other. Freeze for 2 hours until solid, then transfer to a sturdy freezer container. This approach prevents cakes from sticking together and preserves their delicate molten centers.
• Portioning Strategy: Divide leftover cakes into single-serving portions before storage. Wrap each cake separately in double layers of plastic wrap, then place in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Label with the date and contents to track freshness.

Creative Twists on Ina Garten’s Chocolate Lava Cake

• Winter Wonderland Lava Cake: Replace half the chocolate with white chocolate and add a hint of peppermint extract for a festive holiday version.
• Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake: Drizzle warm salted caramel sauce inside the ramekin before pouring batter, creating an extra gooey caramel center when served.
• Raspberry Chocolate Explosion: Fold fresh raspberries into the batter and add a raspberry coulis on top for a fruity chocolate experience that bursts with flavor.
• Mexican Spice Chocolate Cake: Mix in ground cinnamon and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper to give the classic lava cake a warm, spicy undertone that complements the rich chocolate.

Ina Garten’s Chocolate Lava Cake: A Warm, Gooey Dessert Dream

Chocolate lava cakes capture culinary magic with their irresistible charm.

Garten’s recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary dessert experiences.

Complex textures and rich chocolate notes dance across taste buds with elegant simplicity.

Dramatic molten centers create delightful sensory moments that surprise and enchant.

Passionate bakers can master this restaurant-quality treat through careful technique and precise ingredients.

Final masterpiece awaits you: plate, dust with sugar, share with friends, capture their amazement, then dive fork-first into chocolate bliss – snap a photo, tag the recipe, spread deliciousness across social platforms!

Ina Garten Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Chocolate lava cake from Ina Garten promises molten chocolate magic in every spoonful. Rich French-inspired dessert melts dramatically, revealing a gooey center that chocolate enthusiasts will savor completely.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 ounces (168g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter

Dry Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) and position the rack in the middle. Thoroughly coat six 4- to 5-ounce ramekins with butter, then dust with flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. Create a double boiler by placing a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Chop the chocolate into small, uniform pieces and add to the bowl with butter. Stir gently until the mixture becomes glossy and completely smooth, avoiding any water contact.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, crack whole eggs and additional egg yolks. Add granulated sugar and a pinch of salt. Whisk vigorously with an electric mixer until the mixture transforms into a thick, pale yellow cream that forms soft ribbons when the whisk is lifted.
4. Sift the all-purpose flour directly over the egg mixture to prevent lumps. Gently fold the flour into the mixture using a spatula, creating smooth, sweeping motions. Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the batter, combining carefully to maintain the mixture’s delicate volume.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins, filling each about three-quarters full. Place the ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet for easy handling and transfer to the preheated oven.
6. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, watching carefully. The edges should appear set and slightly puffed, while the center remains slightly jiggly. Remove from the oven and let rest for 60 seconds.
7. Invert each ramekin onto a serving plate, holding firmly for 10 seconds before lifting. The chocolate cake should release smoothly, revealing a molten center. Lightly dust with confectioners’ sugar and garnish with fresh raspberries or mint leaves for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Capture the magic of restaurant-quality desserts with these individually portioned chocolate lava cakes that promise a dramatic chocolate reveal.
• Select premium dark chocolate for an intense, luxurious flavor that transforms this simple dessert into an extraordinary experience.
• Melt chocolate gently using a double boiler or microwave to preserve its rich, deep flavor and smooth texture.
• Sift flour meticulously to eliminate any potential lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth batter that guarantees a perfect cake consistency.
• Bring eggs to room temperature for a more uniform batter that rises beautifully and creates an impeccable chocolate texture.
• Prepare ramekins carefully with butter and cocoa powder to ensure a flawless cake release and elegant presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 458 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 78 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 155 mg