Description
A flourless espresso chocolate lava cakes dessert is a individual baked chocolate cake featuring a solid outer crust and a warm, liquid chocolate center. Unlike traditional cakes that rely on all-purpose flour, baking powder, or yeast for structure, this flourless version depends entirely on whipped eggs and melted chocolate to build its delicate framework.
Ingredients
Scale
- 115 g (4 oz) dark chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp instant espresso powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, plus extra for dusting
- Butter, for greasing ramekins
- Powdered sugar, for serving
- Fresh berries or vanilla ice cream, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Heat to 220°C (425°F). Butter four 170-ml (6-oz) ramekins and lightly dust them with cocoa powder.
- Melt chocolate: Combine chopped chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl. Melt gently over a pan of simmering water or in short microwave intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Mix eggs: Whisk eggs, egg yolks, sugar, espresso powder, vanilla, and salt for about 1–2 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Combine: Slowly whisk the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Fold in the cocoa powder until just combined.
- Fill ramekins: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes. The edges should be firm while the centers remain soft and slightly jiggly.
- Rest and serve: Let the cakes rest for 1 minute. Carefully invert each onto a serving plate and dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
Don’t overbake—the slightly undercooked center is what creates the molten chocolate “lava.” For an extra espresso flavor, add ½ tsp more espresso powder.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake
- Calories: 510 kcal
Keywords: flourless chocolate espresso lava cake, gluten free espresso molten lava cakes, easy flourless chocolate lava cake with coffee