This ambrosial mini cake is absolute chocolate in two forms: a warm, molten center surrounded by a tender, protective shell. Despite its intensity, however, it has nothing of the heaviness of Mississippi Mud Pie or the ubiquitous flourless chocolate cake. Perhaps that’s why it’s one of the most copied desserts in American restaurants.–Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Classic Molten Chocolate Cakes FAQs

Where were molten chocolate cakes invented?

A little molten chocolate cake trivia for you. As the story goes, these cakes were reputedly created when Vongerichten was creating a new dessert recipe and pulled these chocolate cakes out of the oven too soon. When he cut into one, he found that instead of the dense crumb he expected, a center of molten chocolate oozed out. Vongerichten knew a good thing when he saw—and tasted—it. And so do you. Behold, your new signature dessert.

What do you serve with molten cakes?

While these cakes easily stand-alone, they’re over-the-top delicious when served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream; the combination of warm chocolate and cool cream is an absolute delight. As for dessert wine, chocolate is too intense and bitter for many sweet wines, but not port. Sounds like perfection to us.

A molten chocolate cake on a plate with the filling oozing out and a few pieces of dark chocolate on the side.

Classic Molten Chocolate Cakes

4.92 / 12 votes
These classic molten chocolate cakes (also called chocolate lava cakes) from Jean-Georges Vongerichten are made with flour, sugar, chocolate, egg, and butter. When baked, the cake doesn't cook through, creating a lava flow of chocolate when cut into. If that weren't enough, the batter can be made ahead of time.
David Leite
CourseDessert
CuisineAmerican
Servings4 servings
Calories491 kcal
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time40 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup (4 oz) unsalted butter, plus more to butter the molds
  • 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, preferably Valrhona
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons flour, plus more for dusting

Instructions 

  • In the top of a double boiler set over simmering water, heat the butter and chocolate together until the chocolate is almost completely melted. While that's heating, beat together the eggs, yolks, and sugar with a whisk or electric beater until light and thick.
  • Beat together the melted chocolate and butter; it should be quite warm. Pour in the egg mixture, then quickly beat in the flour, just until combined.
  • Generously butter and lightly flour four 4-ounce molds, custard cups, or ramekins. Tap out the excess flour, then butter and flour them again. Divide the batter among the molds. (At this point you can refrigerate the desserts until you are ready to eat for up to several hours. Bring them back to room temperature before baking.)
  • Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Bake the molds on a tray for 6 to 7 minutes; the center will still be quite soft, but the sides will be set.
  • Invert each mold onto a plate and let sit for about 10 seconds. Unmold by lifting up one corner of the mold; the cake will fall out onto the plate. Serve immediately.

Video

Adapted From

Cooking At Home with a Four-Star Chef

Buy On Amazon

Nutrition

Serving: 1 portionCalories: 491 kcalCarbohydrates: 29 gProtein: 7 gFat: 39 gSaturated Fat: 23 gMonounsaturated Fat: 11 gTrans Fat: 1 gCholesterol: 251 mgSodium: 46 mgFiber: 2 gSugar: 23 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Mention @leitesculinaria or tag #leitesculinaria!
Recipe © 1998 Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Photo © 1998 Taylor Kiser. All rights reserved.

Recipe Testers’ Reviews

So what’s great about older recipes is that they are often just classic and should be in everyone’s recipe box. This molten chocolate cake is one of those recipes. Not only can it be whipped up at a moment’s notice with what’s on hand, but it tastes great.

Of course, there are caveats. First, you need to make sure you have good-quality chocolate. Second, you need to take the method for preparing the molds or cups or ramekins seriously. (Even though I buttered and floured each one twice, one of the cakes didn’t come out of the mold when turned over.) Third, you need to keep an eye on the cakes and not leave them in the oven too long or you’ll just have a regular chocolate cake—albeit a great-tasting one.

I’m guessing, but I’d say that you could sub a gluten-free flour here because so little is used. What I really liked is how easy this recipe was to execute. I loved how quickly everything was to throw together and how quickly things baked. The taste was also quite good. A very winning recipe.

What I didn’t like is that you do have to pay attention to the cakes because they were not done at 6 minutes. This is the very fussy part of the recipe where you just guess after 6 minutes how much more time it will take.




About David Leite

I count myself lucky to have received three James Beard Awards for my writing as well as for Leite’s Culinaria. My work has also appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Yankee, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and more.


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50 Comments

  1. Linda,

    Thanks for your reply and link to Amazon. When I made the individual cakes this past weekend, I used 4-ounce molds as the recipe calls for. I have looked on the web and can’t find any 4 oz sized molds. The ones you suggested are 3 ounces. Would these work as well? Also, the ones I used aren’t non stick. I just sprayed them with PAM and brushed it into the fluted areas before pouring in the batter. Does your baking team use non stick?

    Dede

    1. Hi again, Dede,

      I think I found exactly what you are looking for on the Fantes website. These are 4 ounce heavy tinned steel molds and made in France.

      Linda

  2. 5 stars
    I made this recipe on Sat. I borrowed the molds (4-ounce, 12-flutes, brioche tins) from a French friend. The recipe worked beautifully even at our high altitude in Colorado. My problem is that I can’t seem to find 4 oz tins to buy for myself. Any suggestions?

    Thanks,

    Dede

    1. Hi Dede. Take a look at this set on Amazon. They seem perfect to me. So glad you enjoyed the recipe.

      Linda

  3. I was wondering after beating the eggs, yolk, and sugar, what do you mean by light and thick? Is is suppose to be as foamy as when you beat egg whites?

    1. Hi, Ashley. When you are making this recipe and begin beating eggs, yolk, and sugar, you will actually see the color of your mixture lighten as it is aerated. It’s unfortunate that no specific time is given to guide you but my guess is 2-3 minutes of beating. The mixture will be pale yellow but not “foamy” due to the yolks. Hope that helps.