
Yields:
10 serving(s)
Prep Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Cal/Serv:
446
She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s big-batch lava cake. Words cannot fully express how I feel about this particular cake. It's fudgy yet light, salty and sweet, and rich as can be. If you’re intimidated by the thought of making lava cake, this is your perfect starter recipe. It only requires 10 ingredients, and because it’s one large batch, there's no need to stress about overcooking the center. To make it even easier, I cooked the bottom layer of the cake first, then added a layer of raw batter on top for a second bake, so you can ensure you’ll get the perfect oozing lava center every time.
I used 70% bittersweet chocolate and 63% dark chocolate, but feel free to use your favorite chocolate brand for this cake. The better the chocolate, the better the cake! This cake is also naturally flourless, which makes it a great dessert for any gluten-free pals. A flat-out showstopper, this is a perfect dessert to bring to your next dinner party, birthday, or any celebration where you need to wow a crowd.
You can make the batter up to 2 days ahead and store it in an airtight container. Just let it sit out at room temperature before baking! As for leftovers (if there are any) you can store them in an airtight container for up to a week. The lava center will solidify, but you can reheat it in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes.
Did you try making this recipe? Let us know what you think in the comments down below!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup
(2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1 Tbsp. pieces, plus more for pan
- 1/2 cup
(80 g.) bittersweet chocolate (70% cacao), coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup
(80 g.) dark chocolate (63% cacao), coarsely chopped
- 2/3 cup
(70 g.) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp.
instant coffee
- 1 tsp.
kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp.
pure vanilla extract
- 7
large eggs, separated
- 1 1/2 cups
(300 g.) granulated sugar, divided
Flaky sea salt (optional)
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Directions
- Step 1Arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°. Grease a 9" springform pan with butter. Line bottom of pan with parchment, then grease parchment with butter.
- Step 2In a medium heatproof bowl set over a medium pot of barely simmering water (do not let bowl touch water), heat butter, bittersweet chocolate, and dark chocolate, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Remove bowl from heat. (Alternatively, microwave butter and chocolates in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth, about 90 seconds total.)
- Step 3Add cocoa powder, coffee, kosher salt, and vanilla and stir until smooth.
- Step 4In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed (or in the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), beat egg whites until frothy, about 1 minute. Increase mixer speed to medium-high. Gradually add 3/4 cup sugar and beat until combined. Increase mixer speed to high and continue to beat until stiff peaks form and egg whites are glossy, about 3 minutes. Transfer egg white mixture to another large bowl or container.
- Step 5Wipe out bowl. Using handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat egg yolks and remaining 3/4 cup sugar until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Step 6Pour chocolate mixture into egg yolk mixture and fold with a large spatula until no streaks remain. Add egg whites to chocolate mixture and fold, mixing as little as possible, until few to no streaks remain.
- Step 7Transfer 1 1/2 cups batter to a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use. Pour remaining batter into prepared pan; smooth top with an offset spatula.
- Step 8Bake cake until firm on top but still slightly soft if you press in the center, 22 to 24 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes. Leave oven on.
- Step 9Spread reserved batter on top of cooled cake. Sprinkle with sea salt (if using).
- Step 10Continue to bake until top of cake has a thin crust but is very soft underneath, 14 to 16 minutes more. Let cool 5 minutes.
- Step 11Carefully remove cake from pan and transfer to a platter. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream alongside.
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