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The Recipe · No.521 · Molten Lava Cake

Molten Lava Cake, and where to source it

Molten Lava Cake — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Molten Lava Cake French 5best2buy.com

The whole trick is underbaking, so the edges set into cake while the middle stays a pour of hot chocolate. Use good bittersweet chocolate and pull them at 12 minutes, when the tops are set but the centers still jiggle.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep15 min
Cook12 min
Makes4 cakes
CuisineFrench
Cost$
Vegetarian
Contains  dairy · eggs · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 cakes
Bittersweet chocolate
The whole flavor is chocolate, so use a bar you would eat, chopped to melt evenly.
6 oz
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Butter
Melted with the chocolate for a glossy rich batter.
1/2 cup
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Eggs
Two whole eggs plus two yolks whip in air and set the outer cake.
4 eggs
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Sugar
Whipped with the eggs to lighten the batter and balance the dark chocolate.
1/4 cup
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Flour
Just a couple spoons to hold the edges together while the center stays loose.
2 tbsp
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Fresh raspberries
A few on the plate cut the richness of the molten center.
1/2 cup
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The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat
A reasonable little indulgence.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryerSheet pan
The Method
  1. Prep the moldsButter four ramekins and dust with cocoa or sugar so the cakes slide out.
  2. MeltMelt the chocolate and butter together over a water bath or in short microwave bursts until smooth.
  3. WhipBeat the eggs, yolks, and sugar until pale and thick, then fold in the chocolate and the flour.
  4. BakeDivide into the ramekins and bake at 425F for about 12 min until the tops are set but the centers still jiggle.
  5. Turn out fastLet them rest 1 min, then invert onto plates and serve at once while the centers are molten.
The Toolkit

Ramekins · Double boiler · Hand mixer · Mixing bowls · Rubber spatula · Pastry brush

Straight Answers
Can you make Molten Lava Cake in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — bake it in a small pan or dish that fits the basket, at about 25°F below the recipe temperature. Air fryers run hot and fast, so check it early; no flipping needed.

Can you freeze Molten Lava Cake? — Yes

Yes — freeze it well-wrapped, then reheat or toast straight from frozen. Frost or glaze after thawing.

Can you make Molten Lava Cake ahead of time? — Best fresh

Best made fresh and served soon — it loses its edge standing around. You can prep the parts ahead, but finish and serve it close to the table.

Is Molten Lava Cake gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Molten Lava Cake vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy and egg. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.521

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