Warm & Gooey Ina Garten’s Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

Decadent chocolate desserts have a special way of melting hearts, and this chocolate lava cake by Ina Garten promises pure indulgence.

Rich, velvety, and incredibly seductive, the recipe captures the essence of luxurious baking.

Each bite reveals a molten center that oozes with intense chocolate flavor.

The technique might seem complicated, but it’s surprisingly straightforward for home bakers.

Garten’s approach ensures foolproof results every single time.

chocolate lovers will swoon over the silky, warm center that emerges from these individual cakes.

Get ready to impress your guests with a dessert that looks and tastes like it came straight from a high-end restaurant.

Equipment to Bake Ina Garten Chocolate Lava Cake

• Double Boiler or Microwave: Essential for melting chocolate and butter smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking eggs and combining ingredients.
• Whisk: Key tool for creating a thick, pale yellow egg mixture.
• Ramekins (6 small): Crucial for individual lava cake portions.
• Baking Sheet: Helps transfer ramekins to and from the oven safely.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Spatula: Great for gently folding chocolate and flour into egg mixture.
• Plate: Needed for serving and inverting the lava cakes.
• Sifter or Strainer: Optional for dusting powdered sugar on top.

Steps to Make Ina Garten Chocolate Lava Cake at Home

• Chocolate Haven Preparation

Warm your kitchen oven to a toasty temperature that signals delicious dessert magic is about to happen. Coat small ceramic dishes with a gentle butter layer and sprinkle a whisper of flour to prevent sticking.

• Chocolate Melting Moment

Create a silky chocolate river by gently combining chocolate and butter, stirring until they transform into a smooth, glossy mixture that promises decadent pleasure.

• Egg Symphony

Whip eggs and sugar together until they become light and airy, developing a beautiful pale color that hints at the delightful texture to come.

• Batter Ballet

Softly fold the melted chocolate into the egg mixture, blending with gentle movements that preserve the delicate air bubbles, creating a luxurious chocolate landscape.

• Ramekin Magic

Pour the velvety batter into your prepared dishes, filling them with anticipation of the molten center waiting to emerge.

• Oven Transformation

Slide the baking sheet into the hot oven, allowing the cakes to bake just long enough to create a delicate outer crust while maintaining a luscious, flowing center.

• Serving Spectacle

Carefully turn the cakes onto serving plates, waiting mere moments before revealing their gooey chocolate heart, ready to delight your senses.

How to Tweak Ina Garten Chocolate Lava Cake

• Swap semi-sweet chocolate with dark chocolate for a more intense, rich flavor profile that chocolate lovers will adore.
• Add a splash of espresso or orange liqueur to the melted chocolate mixture to create a subtle, sophisticated undertone that elevates the dessert.
• Slightly underbake the cakes by 30 seconds for an extra gooey center, or add an extra minute for firmer edges if you prefer a more structured dessert.
• Experiment with different garnishes like fresh mint leaves, raspberry coulis, caramel drizzle, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to transform this simple dessert into a restaurant-worthy experience.
• Prepare the batter up to 24 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing you to have these decadent cakes ready to bake at a moment's notice for unexpected guests or sudden dessert cravings.

Serve Ina Garten Chocolate Lava Cake Warm and Melty

• Pair with Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve each warm lava cake alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
• Create a Berry Medley: Scatter fresh raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries around the cake to add a tangy and colorful touch that complements the rich chocolate.
• Add Whipped Cream Elegance: Top each cake with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and a light sprinkle of cocoa powder for an extra layer of indulgence.
• Drizzle Caramel Sauce: Enhance the dessert by adding a delicate zigzag of salted caramel sauce across the plate, which will beautifully highlight the cake's molten chocolate center.

Save or Store Ina Garten Chocolate Lava Cake

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store any leftover lava cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Wrap each cake individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm individual cakes gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving. Avoid overheating, which can cause the delicate chocolate center to become firm and lose its signature molten texture.
• Freezing Option: Prepare unbaked lava cake batter and freeze in ramekins for up to 1 month. When ready to serve, bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Mix the batter up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Allow the mixture to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking and perfect lava-like consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 4 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 2

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten Chocolate Lava Cake

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, smooth foundation for deep chocolate flavor and ensures silky texture.
• Semisweet Chocolate: Creates luxurious molten center and delivers intense chocolate experience; choose high-quality chocolate for best results.

• Eggs, Egg Yolks: Bind ingredients together, add richness, and help create signature lava cake texture; use fresh, room temperature eggs for smooth mixing.
• All-Purpose Flour: Offers gentle structure and helps stabilize cake's delicate consistency; sift to prevent lumps.

• Granulated Sugar: Balances chocolate's intensity and provides subtle sweetness; opt for fine-grain sugar for even distribution.
• Salt: Enhances chocolate's depth and brightens overall flavor profile; use fine sea salt for precise seasoning.

• Powdered Sugar: Adds elegant finishing touch and subtle sweetness.
• Fresh Berries: Provides bright, tangy contrast to rich chocolate flavor.

Decadent Ina Garten Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Chocolate lava cake brings molten chocolate magic to dessert tables with its rich, gooey center. Ina Garten’s classic recipe delivers an indulgent experience that beckons you to savor each sinful spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 6 oz (168g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1/8 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 425°F with the rack positioned centrally, and thoroughly butter and flour six ramekins to prevent sticking.
2. Chocolate Melting: Create a silky smooth chocolate base by gently melting dark chocolate and butter together using a double boiler or microwave, stirring until glossy and uniform.
3. Egg Mixture: Whip whole eggs, additional egg yolks, granulated sugar, and salt into a luxurious, pale yellow cream with a ribbon-like consistency that holds its shape when the whisk is lifted.
4. Batter Integration: Delicately fold the melted chocolate into the egg mixture, maintaining the batter’s light volume, then softly incorporate sifted flour until just combined without overmixing.
5. Baking Process: Evenly distribute the batter into prepared ramekins, filling them about three-quarters full, then place on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes until edges are set but centers remain molten.
6. Plating and Serving: After a brief one-minute rest in ramekins, invert cakes onto serving plates, wait 10 seconds, and carefully remove ramekins; finish with a delicate powdered sugar dusting and optional fresh berries, serving immediately to capture the cake’s decadent, gooey center.

Notes

• Butter Ramekins Carefully: Generously coat and flour ramekins to ensure smooth cake release and prevent sticking, creating a perfect presentation.
• Melt Chocolate Gently: Use low, steady heat when melting chocolate and butter to avoid burning, maintaining a silky smooth texture.
• Timing is Critical: Bake exactly 6-8 minutes for the perfect lava center – even 30 seconds longer can transform the molten texture into a fully set cake.
• Serve Immediately: These lava cakes are temperature-sensitive and lose their signature flowing center within minutes, so plate and serve right after baking for maximum deliciousness.

• Prep Time: 4 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 70mg
• Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 25g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 200mg